Smoked Whitefish Salad

By
Miri Rotkovitz
Miri Rotkovitz
Miri Rotkovitz
Registered dietician, teacher, and award-winning cookbook author who has been exploring Jewish cuisine for almost 20 years.
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Updated on 05/5/21
Whitefish Salad on crackers and bagels
Miri Rotkovitz
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
187 Calories
8g Fat
1g Carbs
27g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 187
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 1222mg 53%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 27g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 26mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 514mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

With its flashy salmon hue and silky texture, lox usually gets the most bagel pairing attention. But if you haven't tried whitefish salad, you're missing out on a worthy topper not just for bagels, but for everything from challah or crackers to crudités. Its humble look belies a rich, smoky flavor, punctuated by the crunch of celery and the bright flavors of fresh dill and a hint of lemon. It's quick and easy to make, too -- perfect for when you want a simple yet sophisticated upgrade from tuna salad. 

Where to Find Smoked Whitefish: Bagel shops and Jewish delis often carry whitefish, as do some supermarkets, fishmongers, and warehouse clubs, like Costco or BJs. Brooklyn-based Acme Smoked Fish has a helpful store locator on its website, which can help you track down its kosher-certified whitefish.

Kosher Status: Pareve, Passover

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds smoked whitefish, whole or fillets

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise, more to taste

  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Remove the skin from the whitefish (it will lift off easily). Use clean fingers or a fork to pull the fish off of the bones. Transfer the fish to a medium-sized bowl. Use a fork to break the whitefish into smaller pieces, removing any small bones you find.  

  3. Add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, the celery, dill, and lemon juice and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasonings if desired, adding more mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier texture or milder flavor. 

Variations

  • Try fresh chives or parsley in place of the dill, or opt for a mix of all three.
  • For a little bite, add finely minced red onion.
  • For a smoother, more spreadable salad, omit the celery, and increase the mayonnaise. Mix very well to break down the fish into smaller pieces. 
  • For more lemon flavor, add a bit of finely grated zest along with the lemon juice.
  • For dairy meals, try replacing half or all of the mayonnaise with sour cream.

How to Serve:

As a meal: Whether for fancy brunches or casual weekday meals, whitefish salad is a natural fit: serve it on bagels with lettuce, tomato, and red onion, alongside omelets, or roll it into a wrap with cucumber, tomato, carrot, and/or bell pepper. 

As an appetizer or hors d'oeuvres: Whitefish salad makes great party fare. Offer it on crackers, toast points, or blini, or alongside a platter of crudités. Or spoon it on cucumber or radish slices, or into halved cherry tomatoes. As a plated appetizer, try it with a salad of fanned avocado slices and supremed grapefruit or orange sections.

On the Passover Table:

If you make it with kosher-for-Passover mayonnaise, this whitefish salad makes a great option for brunch or lunch during the holiday. Serve it on matzo or Passover rolls. Or for totally gluten-free options, wrap it in lettuce leaves, or roll it up into thin strips of cucumber (use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to make lengthwise slices), à la sushi rolls.