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.
Erika
The first time I had smoked salmon on a bagel was a few years ago. I don’t know what took me so long to try it because it was delicious! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well it took me a long time to try smoked salmon too. I totally get it…but now we both love it.
Carmy
It 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
I know….I am a true convert from smoked salmon hater to a smoked salmon lover. ENJOY!
Claire
I 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
WOW….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
Salmon, 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
Yup it has become a winner here now.
Julie
Wow – 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
HAHAH…well I sure know what it is now…and love it.
Sues
Smoked 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
Yup….give it another try (just like I did)…you just might be surprised.
Femi. O
How? 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
HAHAH…well I am glad I saw the light too. Hope you give the artichoke cream cheese a try….so delicious.
Paige
This looks delicious…I love the addition of artichokes in the recipe…I bet it all tastes great together!
Homemade & Yummy
The artichoke cream cheese is so good….and so easy to make.
Kristina
I 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
This is such an easy an delicious meal for any time of the day. The cream cheese really adds another element of flavour.
Matt Kearns
Some classic flavors going on with this smoked salmon bagel! I’m definitely craving one of those suckers right now!
Homemade & Yummy
I know….I just had to buy more smoked salmon….we need to make more soon.
Kitty
Yeah, 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
Yup…never say never is right….you just never know.