Homemade & Yummy

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Smoked Salmon Salad With Cucumber Noodles

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Are you a smoked fish lover? If so, then this Smoked Salmon Salad with Cucumber Noodles is for you. Perfect for lunch, a starter, or the way we like it, as a “meal-sized salad”.

Slices of smoked salmon on top of fun cucumber noodles coated in a sour cream and dill dressing. Topped with cherry tomatoes, capers, and a turn or two of fresh cracked black pepper. Enjoyed as the main course, this simple smoked salmon dinner salad is easy on the calories too.

Smoked Salmon Salad with Cucumber Noodles in a bowl with a fork and a glass of wine.

Smoked salmon and dill definitely are a winning combination. Most people have heard of the deli famous bagel with smoked salmon.

SMOKED SALMON FACTS

Did you know that there are several types of smoked salmon? People do get them confused, but there certainly are differences that make each one unique.

Ingredients to make smoked salmon salad.

Lox is cured in a brine and NOT smoked. It has a buttery texture and a very salty taste.

Smoked salmon is dry cured in a salt then smoked over a somewhat long period of time. Also known as cold smoked salmon because the temperature never gets above 80 degrees F. Much like my cold smoked cheese. The smoking does not cook the fish, and the texture resembles raw fish.

Cucumber noodles ready to go into the smoked salmon salad.

This type of salmon is the one found most often in stores. Thin slices, vacuum sealed and most often found in the freezer section. You can get it fresh as well.

Hot smoked salmon (also called kippered) is cured in a wet salty brine, then smoked for a few hours at about 120 degrees F (or a little higher).

Then there is gravlax. Salmon is cured and not smoked. This type of curing uses much less salt and ingredients like dill, lemon, sugar, and vodka.

Cucumber noodles getting mixed with the sour cream dressing.

SMOKED SALMON SALAD INGREDIENTS

With a few ingredients, this simple smoked salmon salad comes together in a matter of minutes. You will need:

  • Smoked salmon slices
  • Cucumber noodles (so much fun to make and eat)
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh dill
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Capers
  • Fresh cracked black pepper

Smoked salmon getting added to the bowl of cucumber noodles.

I made the cucumber noodles with my spiralizer. Do you have one? They are so much fun. Once you make your cucumber noodles, you can use them right away if you like. I wanted to remove some of the excess water, so I placed the noodles in a colander with a bit of salt.

Let them sit for 15 minutes (or so), give them a bit of a rinse (to remove some of the salt), and a good squeeze in a kitchen towel.

Toss the noodles in the sour cream and dill dressing, and place into bowls. Add the smoked salmon slices, and top with the tomatoes, capers and a hit of black pepper. That’s it!

Closeup shot of smoked salmon salad garnished with dill, capers and tomatoes.

EASY SMOKED SALMON RECIPES

Over the years I have experimented with different ways to enjoy smoked salmon. I happen to think it is a wonderful and delicious ingredient to work with. You can incorporate into recipes from breakfast to dinner.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Overhead shot of 2 bowls of Smoked Salmon Salad ready to eat.

Smoked Salmon Salad was a staple during these past few HOT summer months. Using up those garden fresh cucumbers and tomatoes certainly was a breeze with this. Great as a main dish (this recipe is perfect for 2 nice sized meal salads). Add a glass of white wine, and dinner is served. Hope you give it a try soon.

What is your favourite way to enjoy smoked salmon?

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Smoked Salmon Salad with Cucumber Noodles Pin Image

Smoked Salmon Salad with Cucumber Noodles in a bowl with a fork and a glass of wine.

Smoked Salmon Salad With Cucumber Noodles

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: smoked salmon recipes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 193 kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

The perfect dinner salad any night of the week. Fun cucumber noodles in a sour cream and dill dressing, topped with slices of smoked salmon, tomatoes, and capers. Smoked Salmon Salad With Cucumber Noodles is a fun and easy meal.

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound cucumber noodles (spiralized)
  • 5 ounces smoked salmon
  • 2 1/2 ounces sour cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill (and extra for garnish)
  • 3 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tsp capers
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Make The Cucumber Noodles:

  1. Spiralize the cucumber (skin on) into thick noodles.

    Place in a colander and add about 1/2 tsp. kosher salt.

  2. Let sit for 15 minutes, rinse, and squeeze dry in a kitchen towel.

    Place in a large bowl.

To Make The Dressing:

  1. While the noodles are draining, combine the sour cream and dill in a bowl. 

    Mix well and set aside.

To Arrange The Salad:

  1. Wash and cut the tomatoes (or leave whole if you wish).

  2. Add the dressing to the cucumber noodles and combine.

  3. Divide the noodles into 2 bowls or plates.

  4. Place the salmon slices in and around the noodles on the plate.

  5. Top with the tomatoes and capers.

  6. Garnish with additional fresh dill and cracked black pepper.

  7. ENJOY!

Recipe Notes

I did NOT add any salt to this recipe since the salmon and capers have more than enough already.

Nutrition Facts
Smoked Salmon Salad With Cucumber Noodles
Amount Per Serving
Calories 193 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 1230mg 51%
Potassium 600mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 5g
Protein 15g 30%
Vitamin A 15.2%
Vitamin C 19.4%
Calcium 8.3%
Iron 8.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. This looks absolutely amazing! Super easy to make and smoked salmon is a favorite in my house .. love the idea of adding it to a salad.. very creative!

    Reply

  7. I’m still swimming in home grown cucumbers! My tomatoes haven’t ripened yet(thanks to the wonky weather). Hoping to start picking tomatoes this week! This would make a great addition to a charcuterie platter as light side salad!

    Reply

  8. I just so happen to have some lox in my fridge and will be making this tonight! it looks so fresh and delicious. Love how you explained the different types of salmon!

    Reply

  9. Oh, I have to try that! My inlaws love their Nova – but she has started to have trouble with the bagel… And they’ve enjoyed salads I make with the spiralizer! This gives me an option that will feel more like a New Idea than a loss…

    Reply

  11. Seriously enjoyed this recipe post! I adore smoked salmon and oh.my.goodness – turning it into a salad over cucumber noodles is just sheer genius! YUM! Also, I thought your discussion of the differences among the various types of smoked/cured salmon was really terrific!

    Reply

  12. This salad is so unique! The flavors are meant to be and come together in such an elegant way. My father would absolutely love this and I can’t wait to make it for him.

    Reply

  13. Smoked salmon has been a favourite of mine for a long time. Looks so good in this fresh, light salad. And smoked salmon and dill are best friends so I definitely approve you adding it to this salad (:

    Reply

  15. I am ALL about smoked salmon and cucumber together. I think it’s one of my most favorite food pairings, to be honest! Needless to say, I am so so so into this idea. So crisp, cool, and perfect for these last few scorching weeks of summer here in NC!

    Reply

  17. Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE smoked salmon AND a cucumber dill salad! Your creamy dressing sounds incredible and I just love the addition of capers too. I’m going to go check out the rest of your smoked salmon recipes too – I think I need to fill a craving soon!

    Reply

  18. I am a HUGE lox fan. I didn’t know about the other types of smoked salmon though, thank you for that information. This salad looks amazing, I’m going to add it to my weekly meal plan.

    Reply

  19. smoked salmon salad looks delicious love creamy cucumber along with smoked salmon. I ate best smoked salmon in Sweden. After I couldn’t find that taste any where. your recipe sound easy to put together.

    Reply

  20. I totally love cucumbers with smoked fish. One of my friends brought it over to our house for an potluck once and I told her that she has to bring it every single time that she comes. But, I never thought of turning it into a salad. What a fun idea to use cucumber noodles!! I am totally trying this!!

    Reply

  24. Such a quick and delicious way to eat salmon. I love adding salmon to my salad especially with a creamy tangy dressing. This sounds so good. Can’t wait to try it soon. Pinning for later.

    Reply

  25. This salad sounds so delicious. I’ve been looking for salad ideas and this one sounds perfect, however I can’t find smoked salmon in the stores near me. Do you think regular non smoked fresh salmon would work?

    Reply

  26. I love smoked salmon. I think it’s the best, bu I had only a vague idea as to what types of smoked salmon there were. I can’t believe I never had it in a salad before, but I am dying to try it now!

    Reply

  27. That’s awesome that you clarified the differences in fish. I have been calling cold smoke salmon lox for years. I love it all and your recipe looks amazing. Saving this, I love the ingredient list and any recipe that looks this good and is healthy for you is a winner in my kitchen. Thanks again for another great recipe!

    Reply

  30. I’m honestly not a fan of smoked salmon. However, I would totally make this with grilled salmon! And since it’s so easy to pull together, I think you could easily make a batch of grilled and a batch of smoked, and let people make their favorite

    Reply

  32. To answer the first question, the answer is a BIG FAT YES!!! I do love smoked salmon. As a matter of fact we are actually big salmon eaters in our home. I started appreciating the taste of cucumbers a couple years ago, sadly to say, but this salad has all of my favorites- old and new. Pinning to try soon!

    Reply

  35. I had no idea about the different types of smoked salmon. I have had it on bagels a lot, but I love the sound of this refreshing salad! I’ve also made zucchini noodles, but never cucumber, have to try those too!

    Reply

  39. This looks so refreshing and perfect for the long weekend. I’ve been obsessed with smoked salmon every since I tried it last year. And it’s so quick to make too! Yum!

    Reply

  40. Love this idea! I like cucumber salad like that I have a spiralizer too so I’ll have to give this a try. The capers look great on top and those tomatoes are beautiful!

    Reply

  41. What a fantastic looking salad. We are still having quite the heat wave and the salad would make a great lunch or even brunch dish – with a glass of light white wine. I have my mini-spiralizer available so I’ll be making the coodles? I think we’ve just coined a new word. Hubby would really enjoy this too. Great information on the difference between lox and smoked salmon.

    Reply

    • HAHHA coodles. Put that in SEO research and see what it gets LOL. Hope you give this super easy recipe a try. Perfect for lunch, brunch or dinner. I would love to join you with a glass of wine (or two).

      Reply

  42. We have smoked salmon almost every week and it’s actually my favorite. Even more than fresh salmon. Love that you make cucumber noodles.. I do that often to get the kids to eat more salad. This sounds so refreshing and light. Saving for later.

    Reply

  43. What a lovely dish! Smoked salmon is so yummy and elegant too. The combination with the cucumbers and the dill is such a classic pairing. A perfect salad to satisfy the most demanding palate. I need a plate! =)

    Reply

  44. This recipe is so creative. I often serve smoked salmon on a platter with those same ingredients! This seems so much more elegant and would be great to serve at a brunch. Beautiful presentation and looks delish.

    Reply

  45. I did not know there were different kinds of smoked salmon but I do love all of them! We typically have them for breakfast and brunch but this salad looks amazing any time of day. So refreshing too! Perfect for this ridiculous heat we’ve been having.

    Reply

    • OMG…the heat has been terrible. I know you also live in Ontario. Finally today there is a break. YES to all the different kinds of salmon…..the things we learn. Hope you give this recipe a try.

      Reply

  46. Is it weird that I raised my hand when I read, “Are you a smoked fish lover?” Smoked salmon is the best. With Labor Day weekend coming up, this looks like the perfect salad to serve for a summer picnic.

    Reply

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