Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel Recipe

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel is a New York deli classic that has stood the test of time for good reason. Toasted bagel, velvety cream cheese, silky cold-smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onion, capers, and cucumber come together in a combination that is simultaneously simple and luxurious. Each serving delivers 33g of protein and provides a generous hit of omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon. It is one of the most satisfying lunch or brunch options you can assemble in under 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 everything bagels (or plain, sesame, or poppy seed)
• 100g full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 200g cold-smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
• Black pepper to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese mixed with 1 tsp horseradish

Instructions

1. Slice bagels in half horizontally. Toast in a toaster or under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy on the cut surface.
2. Mix cream cheese with chopped chives and a pinch of black pepper. If using horseradish, stir it into the cream cheese.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture generously on both cut halves of each bagel.
4. Layer cucumber slices on the bottom half of each bagel.
5. Drape smoked salmon slices over the cream cheese in loose, elegant folds.
6. Top with thinly sliced red onion and capers.
7. Scatter fresh dill over the top.
8. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the salmon just before eating.
9. Serve open-faced or press the top half gently onto the bottom to make a sandwich.

Tips & Variations

• For the best flavor, use cold-smoked (lox-style) salmon rather than hot-smoked. Cold-smoked has a silky texture and delicate flavor. Hot-smoked has a firmer, flakier texture and smokier taste.
• Leave cream cheese at room temperature for 15 minutes before spreading so it is soft and spreadable without tearing the bagel.
• For a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Icelandic skyr mixed with lemon juice and dill. It has a similar tangy flavor with more protein and less fat.
• Add thin slices of avocado for extra healthy fats and creaminess.
• For gluten-free, use gluten-free bagels or serve the salmon and cream cheese on rice cakes or cucumber rounds.

Nutrition Breakdown

Calories: 621 kcal

Protein: 33.1g

Fat: 23.9g

Carbs: 62.7g

Fiber: 3.5g

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