Smoked Salmon Bagel is the perfect option for any meal of the day. Cold slices of salmon layered on top of artichoke cream cheese spread, topped with capers and a dusting of freshly cracked black pepper.
If you are a fan of cucumber sandwiches, you need to try this version of a cucumber bagel sandwich. Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for lunch, brunch or dinner.

The classic deli bagel smoked salmon and cream cheese. Perfectly balanced flavours in this easy-to-make gourmet treat. A delicious idea for breakfast, brunch, or any time.
Deli-style sandwiches are so easy to make. This corned beef sandwich is just what you need for a quick meal. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Now, do I want this, or a smoked salmon sandwich for dinner tonight? This open-faced tomato and cheese sandwich sounds good too.
Smoked salmon seems to fall into two categories. You either like it or you don’t. For the longest time, I was in the NO category. Thank goodness that has changed over the years. I would have never tried egg tacos. What a great breakfast recipe.
Bagel and Salmon Ingredients
- Fresh Bagel – Any flavour will do. I love Everything Bagels.
- Smoked Salmon Slices – I love the frozen variety. There are 10 little packages perfect for recipes just like this.
- Cream Cheese – Plain is best.
- Jarred Artichokes – Marinated artichokes are used in making the spread.
- Capers – make the perfect topping for this dish.
- Black Pepper – just a dusting is all you need.
Making Deli Style Smoked Salmon Bagels
This salmon and cream cheese bagel happens to be one of our favourite brunch eats. No need to spend money at the deli. Full instructions are in the recipe card.
- Thaw the salmon slices (in the fridge).
- Mix up the artichoke cream cheese spread.
- Choose a bagel flavour.
- Cut the bagel in ยฝ and toast.
- Cover each half with cream cheese.
- Top with 2-3 slices of salmon.
- Garnish is capers.
- Top with a hit of freshly ground black pepper.
- EAT!
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
- Bagel Variety – I love Everything bagels, but Pumpernickel, Sesame Seed, Plain, or Poppyseed would all be great. Toasting is our preference, but again you don’t have to. Toasted is great, but you can skip that step if you like.
- Frozen Smoked Salmon – Easily found in the grocery freezer section. Fresh will work as well.
- Cream Cheese – I like to use plain for this recipe. You can also use flavoured if you like. Both block and whipped work in this recipe.
- Artichokes – Marinated artichokes add a nice flavour to this cream cheese spread. Plain canned will also work.
- Capers – Add a nice topping. You can also use fresh dill.
It will last for about 3 days kept wrapped in the fridge.
Yes, it can be eaten hot or cold right from the package.
Here is a great article explaining all the differences. The quick answer is that smoked salmon is cured and then smoked at a low temperature, whereas lox is only cured in a salt brine but not smoked.
You can enjoy smoked salmon hot or cold. Here are a few yummy recipes to try:
- Potato Appetizers are perfect. Just in time for the holiday parties.
- Cucumber Appetizers have a similar taste to cucumber sandwiches, minus the bread.
- Egg In A Hole is a fun breakfast idea.
- Smoked Salmon Plate is an easy-to-make dinner. A Jamie Oliver recipe.
- Warm Potato Salad is always a hit at parties.
- Cucumber Salad is an elegant start to any meal.
Smoked Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Bagel (or your choice of flavour)
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 ½ ounces smoked salmon (thawed)
- 2 ½ ounces marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon 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 ยฝ of the cream cheese on each of the bagel halves.
- Layer slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese.
- Garnish with capers and freshly ground black pepper.
Heather Perine
This is one of my favorite things ever…never would think to add artichokes! Bet that adds so much flavor. Going to get smoked salmon and make this over the weekend ๐
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is one of our go-to meal ideas several times a month.
Tara
Oooh I absolutely love the combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese. Such a fantastic start to the day.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, we enjoy smoked salmon bagels any time of day.
Anjali
This is one of those classic recipes that I never get tired of! Made it for breakfast this morning and it hit the spot!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It’s hard to get tired of the tried and true classics. So glad you enjoyed this smoked salmon bagel recipe.
Jersey Girl Cooks
The artichoke cream cheese really elevates this bagel. So delicious!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, and it is so easy to make. It does add another layer of yum to this smoked salmon bagel.
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. ๐
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! ๐ 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.