I can eat bagels any time of day. This Smoked Salmon Bagel with Artichoke Cream Cheese is the perfect option for any meal of the day. If you are not a lover of cold smoked salmon, this tasty creation just might change your mind.
Smoked salmon seems to be one of those ingredients that falls into two categories. Do you like it? YES or NO? For the longest time, I was in the NO category. My first experience with a smoked salmon bagel was not a positive one. Thank goodness that has changed over the years. Now one of my favourite things to make is Warm Potato Salad with Smoked Salmon and Dill. For a great brunch recipe, Smoked Salmon Egg In A Hole is a crowd pleaser!
The very first time I tried a smoked salmon bagel was a very long time ago. I had just started a new job in the big city. For lunch one day I decided to try a little deli that was located in the building I worked in.
Young and naive, I scanned the menu and saw Bagel and Lox. Since I absolutely LOVE bagels, this sounded like the perfect lunch. I ordered and anxiously waited. I was so excited to see what this was (since there was no explanation), and I didn’t think to ask.
My order was ready. I paid and quickly found somewhere to sit and eat. I unwrapped the salmon bagel and took a bite. OMG! I still remember asking myself “what is this”? My taste buds did a backflip, and I think I actually spit out my mouthful of food. I certainly knew what a bagel was, but what the hell is a lox bagel?
Jump to present day, I totally enjoy a smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese. So glad I gave it another try. I also enjoy Smoked Salmon Salad for dinner too!
Smoked Salmon, Lox, Nova or Gravlox?
Do you know the difference between ALL these? Wow so interesting. I still have to try a couple of these tasty variations. My early experience with salmon was canned “pink” salmon. My mom didn’t even buy sockeye salmon never mind smoked salmon. In case you were wondering, you can indeed buy canned smoked salmon, and it is so delicious. Another great option to make a salmon bagel with.
Over the years, my taste buds have developed nicely, and smoked salmon recipes happen in my kitchen on a regular basis. You would have thought with my Ukrainian background I would have eaten smoked salmon at some point. My mom did eat canned sardines and pickled herring. I will say those 2 ingredients ARE NOT something I eat either (or ever will).
Now as for bagels, I have not come across one that I didn’t like. I wish I lived close enough to have Montreal bagels at my disposal. I know there are a few great bagel places in the USA too. This smoked salmon recipe is one we totally enjoy for brunch on the weekends, but also for dinner with a salad.
Smoked Salmon Bagel and More
There are lots of delicious ways to incorporate delicious smoked salmon in recipes. Used in appetizers, salads, added to eggs, pasta, or as fillings for sandwiches. Easy Smoked Salmon Plate is a great way to enjoy it as well. I bet if you put on your creative hat, you just might come up with a tasty version of your own.
Smoked salmon and cream cheese is the classic deli paring for a smoked salmon bagel, just like in my “bagel and lox” experience. For this easy recipe I just added some jarred artichokes (the kind packed in oil) to plain whipped cream cheese. Do you like artichokes? If not, fresh dill works amazing too. Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or pickles are great additions. Don’t forget all your wonderful spices. Making flavoured cream cheese is so easy.
I like buying my smoked salmon frozen at Costco. You can purchase it in 1 large package (which is great for parties), but I usually buy the box of 10 small packages. I find 1 small package is enough for 2 people.
To make this smoked salmon bagel recipe:
- thaw the smoked salmon (in the fridge)
- mix up your flavoured cream cheese (or you can use plain)
- choose a bagel flavour (I used Everything, but Pumpernickel would be great here)
- cut the bagel in 1/2 and toast
- cover each half with cream cheese
- top with 2-3 slices of salmon
- garnish is capers (or dill, or nothing)
- top with a hit of freshly ground black pepper (optional)
- EAT!
So there you have my smoked salmon story and how I went from NO to YES. Sure glad I gave it another try (even if it was 30 years later).
How about you? Are you a YES or a NO?
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Smoked Salmon Bagel with Artichoke Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Everything bagel (or your choice of flavour)
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 2.5 ounces smoked salmon (thawed)
- 2.5 ounces marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1 tsp capers (optional)
- freshly ground black pepper for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw the smoked salmon in the fridge.
- Chop artichokes and mix into the cream cheese. Set aside.
- Cut bagel in half and toast.
- Place 1/2 of the cream cheese on each of the bagel halves.
- Layer slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese.
- Garnish with capers.
- Top with freshly ground black pepper.
- ENJOY.
Carmy
August 19, 2018 at 6:46 PMIt took me a while to figure out the difference between all the salmons too! I remember trying smoked salmon for the first time on vacation when I had ordered and thought I was getting cooked salmon! I didn’t want to make a fuss so I tried it and haven’t looked back since! I love a good smoked salmon bagel now.
Homemade & Yummy
August 19, 2018 at 8:52 PMI know….I am a true convert from smoked salmon hater to a smoked salmon lover. ENJOY!
Claire
April 8, 2018 at 3:14 AMI vividly remember the first time I had smoked salmon; my Dad worked in the city and brought a whole sliced side home after visiting a famous deli.
It was love at first taste. I used to love it on toast sprinkled with the vinegar from a jar of pickled onions. Which sounds odd but is sooooo good. (It is still one of my favourite lunchtime treats. Hot buttered toast, smoked salmon and a sprinkle of pickled onion vinegar)
It was years later that I ordered a bagel and I am a bit obsessed with them now! So when I saw your artichoke cream I knew I just had to try it. I am glad I did! It was a perfect addition. I used a bit of dill as well and it was a lunch I never wanted to end. Thank you for introducing me to smoked salmon and artichoke. 😀
Homemade & Yummy
April 8, 2018 at 10:32 AMWOW….thanks so much for your lovely story…it actually brought tears to my eyes. The artichoke is such an easy addition to the cream cheese that elevates this to a whole new level.
Tatiana
April 2, 2018 at 3:39 AMSalmon, smoked or just salted, is something I grew up with in Siberia . There is no way I can say no to that! 🙂 Paired with artichokes and cream cheese , is like a heaven on a plate . When I worked in coffee shop in San Francisco, I did also put sprouts on top. Yummy eather way!
Homemade & Yummy
April 2, 2018 at 5:51 PMYup it has become a winner here now.
Julie
April 1, 2018 at 11:47 PMWow – it totally blows my mind that you had no idea what lox was the first time you ordered it! I guess I just sort of assumed it was a more or less universal food. My 2 year old LOVES lox in everything, from pasta salads to bagels!
Homemade & Yummy
April 2, 2018 at 5:53 PMHAHAH…well I sure know what it is now…and love it.
Sues
April 1, 2018 at 11:18 PMSmoked salmon may just be the only food that I’m not that big of a fan of. But I haven’t had it in so long, I think I need to give it another try… I LOVE salmon in general, so feel like I have to like smoked salmon, right?? In any event, this bagel is making me want to try ASAP!
Homemade & Yummy
April 2, 2018 at 5:53 PMYup….give it another try (just like I did)…you just might be surprised.
Femi. O
April 1, 2018 at 8:18 PMHow? How can anybody say no to smoked salmon? What alternate reality is this? Lol! Anyway I’m so glad you saw the light as myself and my wife are definite salmon yeses and we make ours almost exactly the same way, but without the artichokes so color me totally intrigued by your version! Lovely!
Homemade & Yummy
April 1, 2018 at 8:24 PMHAHAH…well I am glad I saw the light too. Hope you give the artichoke cream cheese a try….so delicious.
Paige
April 1, 2018 at 7:34 PMThis looks delicious…I love the addition of artichokes in the recipe…I bet it all tastes great together!
Homemade & Yummy
April 1, 2018 at 8:25 PMThe artichoke cream cheese is so good….and so easy to make.
Kristina
April 1, 2018 at 5:00 PMI LOVE smoked salmon bagels, we used to have them weekly and you’ve just reminded me to bring back that tradition. There’s nothing like capers and smoked salmon on a cream cheese bagel. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
April 1, 2018 at 8:27 PMThis is such an easy an delicious meal for any time of the day. The cream cheese really adds another element of flavour.
Matt Kearns
April 1, 2018 at 10:09 AMSome classic flavors going on with this smoked salmon bagel! I’m definitely craving one of those suckers right now!
Homemade & Yummy
April 1, 2018 at 4:04 PMI know….I just had to buy more smoked salmon….we need to make more soon.
Kitty
March 31, 2018 at 8:57 PMYeah, I’m definitely in the no category! But I didn’t use to like beans, sweet potatoes, and spinach and I eat them all the time now. Never say never.
Homemade & Yummy
April 1, 2018 at 9:54 AMYup…never say never is right….you just never know.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
March 31, 2018 at 10:08 AMI’m a huge artichoke fan so love that you’ve added them to cream cheese. I bet that’s a fantastic combo!
Homemade & Yummy
March 31, 2018 at 10:45 AMIt works really well and makes this totally delicious.
Alyssa | Flaxseeds & Fairytales
March 30, 2018 at 10:18 PMI actually had a similar experience to you with smoked salmon. I tried it a few times as a kid and definitely wasn’t a fan, but then I tried it recently and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it! I guess our taste buds change over the years huh? Thanks for linking to the article about the differences between types of cured/smoked salmon. I had no idea! You learn something new every day. 🙂
This recipe looks divine! Nothing beats smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel. I love your addition of artichokes and capers. YUM! I bet it adds a totally different dimension to the dish and a little extra nutrition too. Great idea! My mom loves smoked salmon and artichokes, so I’ll have to make this for her soon. Thank you so much, Gloria!!
Homemade & Yummy
March 31, 2018 at 10:46 AMWell I hope you and your mom enjoy this recipe. Yes I do agree, our tastes change as we get older.
Sara
March 30, 2018 at 7:48 PMThis looks wonderful! I can’t wait to try your recipe for a wonderful weekend brunch!
Homemade & Yummy
March 31, 2018 at 10:46 AMIt does make a great brunch item for sure.
Tiffany
March 30, 2018 at 5:26 PMHaven’t tried it with artichoke cream cheese. Nice twist! I am looking forward to having this on the weekend.
Homemade & Yummy
March 31, 2018 at 10:46 AMIt is so easy and delicious…hope you give it a try.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
March 29, 2018 at 10:29 PMim a bagel lover so seeing this twist to a regular cream cheese with artichoke already sounds so delicious!!!
Homemade & Yummy
March 30, 2018 at 10:01 AMThe cream cheese is so delicious…and super easy to make. Hope you give this a try soon.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
March 29, 2018 at 10:18 PMBagels from the deli were my favorite when I lived in NYC! I agree – great meal any time of day!
Homemade & Yummy
March 30, 2018 at 10:02 AMSo easy to make at home….but authentic bagels are the best for sure.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
March 29, 2018 at 12:37 PMMy hubster hates salmon, but I just LOVE it. Especially in the form of lox on a bagel—yes, PLEASE! I especially love that you added capers and artichoke: two of my favorite ingredients in their own right! Fabulous recipe! #recipeoftheweek
Homemade & Yummy
March 29, 2018 at 1:54 PMThanks so much. This is such an easy and delicious recipe. Something we enjoy often.
Melve
March 27, 2018 at 2:20 AMI don’t like smoked salmon but I think you are right, my eyes stuck with your recipe images. I like to try it now, look so delicious. Thanks for changing my mind, I think I found the smoked salmon recipe that I would love.
Homemade & Yummy
March 27, 2018 at 9:15 AMThanks so much. Hope you give it a try….it took me a long time to finally come around. Sure glad I changed my mind too.
Amanda
March 26, 2018 at 1:12 PMSmoked salmon on a bagel is one of my absolute favorite weekend breakfasts. Pairing it with artichoke cream cheese is brilliant! I’ll definitely be making this spread next weekend. My tastebuds thank you in advance! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
March 26, 2018 at 1:59 PMI know….you really gotta love EASY and DELICIOUS recipes.
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
March 26, 2018 at 11:01 AMArtichoke cream cheese? I love that idea! I think I’d need to make extra just to dip crackers in.
Homemade & Yummy
March 26, 2018 at 2:00 PMSO delicious….and SOOOOO easy. ENJOY!!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
March 26, 2018 at 4:38 AMI LOVE smoked salmon, and deli bagels, far better to make your own as you can be so much more generous with the toppings. love the artichoke cream cheese!
Homemade & Yummy
March 26, 2018 at 8:33 AMYes…pile on the cream cheese and LOTS of salmon.
Tracy Koslicki
March 25, 2018 at 11:07 PMOh wow I didn’t know there were so many varieties! I too didn’t have smoked salmon / lox until later in life, I had no idea what it was and I was just as excited when I first had it! This sounds like the perfect breakfast!
Homemade & Yummy
March 26, 2018 at 8:34 AMIsn’t is funny the things us food bloggers learn.
Julia
March 25, 2018 at 6:35 PMSuch a funny story about Bagel with Lox. I grew up eating smoked salmon. It was not very common. Rather a rare occurrence in Soviet Union but I loved it with buttered dark rye bread.
I love the idea of artichoke cream cheese! I don’t know why I’ve never thought of that. I’ll definitely try it.
Homemade & Yummy
March 25, 2018 at 9:12 PMYou know, I can still remember that day so vividly. Funny how food memories are so powerful. Glad I finally came around…like 30 years later.
Dana
March 25, 2018 at 11:38 AMOh goodness, I’ve never heard of artichoke cream cheese before and I am in *LOVE* with this idea. I eat salmon with cream cheese on toast regularly, so this is right up my alley. The perfect way to jazz things up without straying too far from a classic lox bagel. Your first experience with a lox bagel made me chuckle. Mine was in Montreal, and I had the opposite reaction. I was like, HOW CAN I LIVE A LIFE WHERE I EAT THIS EVERY DAY?
Homemade & Yummy
March 25, 2018 at 11:49 AMIsn’t it funny how our “first experience” with a new food can be so different. I have now grown to like this very much.
Homemade & Yummy
March 25, 2018 at 11:32 AMHAHAH…funny how we all differ in our “first experience”….with an unknown food. It has become a staple around here.
Sarah
March 24, 2018 at 10:45 PMI absolutely LOVE lox- I even eat it without the bagel. YUM! I never thought to add artichokes to the cream cheese though.. that’s such a great idea!
Homemade & Yummy
March 25, 2018 at 10:37 AMHAHAH….well NOW I know what lox is. I will say I have grown to love it too.
Kathy McDaniel
March 24, 2018 at 9:00 PMI absolutely love salmon in every shape, form and preparation. Smoked salmon is one of my favorite things to have for brunch. I love the artichoke cream cheese, so delicious and the addition of the capers is great too. What a great and easy dish to have for Easter or mother;s day. Thank you for such an informative post!
Homemade & Yummy
March 25, 2018 at 10:38 AMYou are welcome. It is a great dish to make for any day…but a special occasion would be nice too.
Denise
March 24, 2018 at 6:51 PMWe went to visit my husband’s friend and Latvia once and they took us to this humongous market and bought a fresh piece of salmon. They then took it home and cured it with either sugar or salt and then we eat it the next day on some type of brown bread with butter and thinly sliced onions. I had never had anything like that before and it was one of our favorite food memories. My husband needs his smoke salmon just like this however he’s never had the order two cream cheese. I can’t wait to surprise him with it someday!
Homemade & Yummy
March 24, 2018 at 8:59 PMWow…sounds like that “food memory” is a tasty one. So fun trying ethnic food right where it belongs.
Veena Azmanov
March 23, 2018 at 6:30 PMWe are huge fans of Salmon in our home and my husband loves his salmon with bagel and cream cheese mixed with dill. This is a winning combination and it’s one that never disappoints. Can’t wait to try this. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
March 24, 2018 at 10:42 AMWell it took me years to finally acquire a taste for it….but so glad I finally did.
Tina
March 22, 2018 at 7:18 PMI’m definitely a YES! but everybody else is a NO in my house which means…. I don’t have to share;) I like to eat mine on crackers with cream cheese and I absolutely love it on a really good toasted bagel. You made me hungry.
Homemade & Yummy
March 22, 2018 at 9:12 PMHAHA….well more for you. ENJOY!!
Jessica @ Citrus & Delicious
March 22, 2018 at 4:58 PMMy husband would totally flip for these. He fell in love with them when he went to Montreal for his bachelor party in October and has loved them ever since. Luckily we live near NYC and get great bagels so we can make this at home!!
Homemade & Yummy
March 22, 2018 at 9:13 PMI wish we had a great bagel place around here…the real authentic kind.
Michelle
March 22, 2018 at 12:21 PMThis is everything I love in one place. It looks and sounds so good – and deceptively simple. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
March 22, 2018 at 9:14 PMYup…you gotta love when simple is so delicious.
Amy Nash
March 22, 2018 at 9:45 AMI’m a solid YES! Smoked salmon is so delicious and we almost always have some in the fridge because I prefer savory breakfasts to sweet any day. And this is actually something I love for a light lunch or snack as well! Glad you came around to smoked salmon!
Homemade & Yummy
March 22, 2018 at 10:43 AMYup…sometimes it takes forever…but it finally happens.
Marisa Franca
March 21, 2018 at 4:29 PMCount me into the “I love smoked salmon” category. I do like most seafoods but count me out on mackerel. I was on Weight Watchers many many years ago and we had to eat lots of fish. I bought some canned mackerel. I swear that the odor almost made me faint. I did NOT eat it. In fact I’ve smelled cat food that smelled better. Now, I love bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and artichokes. Your recipe is a winner with me.
Homemade & Yummy
March 22, 2018 at 9:00 AMHAHAH…see I don’t like sardines for that reason. We totally enjoy this for any meal of the day.
Kaitie
March 21, 2018 at 10:33 AMwhat a GREAT breakfast or lunch! Love that the cream cheese is infused with artichokes! Totally elevated then a drive thru bagel.
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:19 PMI know….so easy to make delicious flavoured cream cheese. Perfect for this tasty recipe.
Traci
March 21, 2018 at 10:33 AMI am in love with everything about this, starting with that “everything” bagel 🙂 Adding artichoke to the cream cheese, well that just switches things up in a beautiful direction. Can’t wait to give this a try! Pinning!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:20 PMHope you enjoy this. Hubby LOVED this…we had it with a side salad for dinner and it was great.
Jennifer
March 21, 2018 at 10:28 AMI love artichokes! This looks like the perfect hearty lunch or brunch meal!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:21 PMWe even have it for dinner with a side salad. Perfect for any meal of the day.
Meredith
March 21, 2018 at 10:21 AMMy family LOVES bagels & lox… it is a favorite Sunday brunch staple. However, I have never made my own flavored cream cheese. I can not wait to try your artichoke cream cheese spread!!!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:21 PMOMG making flavoured cream cheese is SOOOO easy. The variety is endless!!
Jill
March 21, 2018 at 10:07 AMLove this informative post. I have to be honest, it’s not the flavor of smoked salmon – it’s the texture. Still having trouble getting past that. However I love bagels, cream cheese, artichokes and capers – so give me all of that please!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:22 PMI know all about not liking smoked salmon. It took me 30 years to change my mind.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
March 21, 2018 at 9:59 AMThat’s too funny that you didn’t know what lox were! I practically grew up on smoked salmon — my French grandparents served it as an appetizer with toast points and chopped egg — for EVERY family gathering. My whole family loves smoked salmon on bagels with cream cheese, but I’ve never thought to add artichokes to the cream cheese base. What a great idea! With Easter coming up, I think this would go great with a mimosa or bloody mary for brunch! Thanks for the inspiration!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2018 at 12:24 PMOMG…as you can see my first experience with LOX was not great. I am SOOOO glad (30 years later) I decided to give it another try. Yes….brunch worthy for sure….especially with those drinks!!