Salmon & Smoked Salmon Recipes
Inside: A go-to collection of salmon and smoked salmon recipes—from easy appetizers and hors d’oeuvres to breakfast stand-outs and weeknight dinners that are ready in minutes. Plus grab my free guide to choosing, prepping and cooking fish.
If you’re looking for salmon and smoked salmon recipes you can rely on again and again, this collection brings together both fresh and smoked options in one place—easy dinners, simple snacks and appetizers, and a few standout dishes that feel a little more special without extra effort.
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We eat a lot of fish and seafood around here and if there’s one ingredient that earns its keep in my kitchen week after week, it’s this buttery, rich fish.
Fresh filets, cold-smoked slices from the deli drawer, a package tucked away for emergencies — I always have some form of it on hand, because it’s the ultimate culinary shortcut for meals that look like you tried way harder than you actually did.
Smoked salmon is what I call an affordable luxury. It comes ready to use straight from the package, and that soft, buttery, salty fish has a way of making even the simplest dish feel a little special.
Fresh fillets aren’t far behind — a hot skillet or a sheet pan and the right spice blend, and dinner practically makes itself.
Yep, we’re so “into seafood” I even created a guide for choosing, prepping and cooking fish (Want it? It’s yours for free).
Whether you’re feeding the family on a Tuesday night or putting out a spread for holiday guests, these are the recipes I come back to again and again. Creamy pastas, sticky glazes, elegant canapés, a showstopper cheese ball — there’s something here for every occasion. Let’s dig in.
How to Cook Salmon (Without Overthinking It)
Salmon is one of the easiest proteins to cook well—it doesn’t need a lot of ingredients or complicated techniques to turn out great. The key is choosing a method that fits your time and not overcooking it.
Here are a few simple ways to get it right every time:
- Pan-Seared (Best for Weeknights)–A hot pan and a little oil will get you most of the way there. For plain salmon, start skin-side down and let it cook undisturbed so it crisps up, then flip briefly to finish. If you’re using a dry rub, start flesh-side down to set the crust and bring out the flavor.
- Start here: 👉🏻 Spiced Pan-Seared Salmon. It’s fast, reliable, and gives you the most flavor with the least effort.
- Baked (Easy + Hands-Off)–If you don’t want to stand at the stove, baking is the way to go. A hot oven cooks the salmon evenly, and you can add lemon, herbs, or a quick sauce right on the pan. It’s especially useful when you’re cooking for more than one.
- Most Popular: 👉🏻 Pesto Salmon.
- Grilled (For Extra Flavor)–Grilling adds a light smokiness and works well with simple marinades or spice rubs. Make sure your grill is clean and hot before adding the fish so it doesn’t stick. Use skin-on fillets or steaks for the easiest preparations—start them skin-side down and let the grill do the work.
- Most straightforward and you can swap swordfish for salmon steaks: 👉🏻 Grilled Swordfish Steaks
- Poached or Gently Cooked (Underrated)–If you want something more delicate, poaching keeps the salmon tender and silky. It’s a great option for salads or lighter preparations.
- You can use this method with salmon: 👉🏻 Caribbean Poached Fish (court bouillon)
How to Tell When It’s Done
This is the part that matters most, and frankly it can be subjective. Fish, after all can be served raw (think crudo or poké) and peoples tastes are different. Personally, I like it not quite cooked in the center;others need to know the fish is dead.
Most chefs and diners generally agree that cooked salmon should be:
- Just opaque in the center
- Still slightly soft in the center
- Moist and tender
- Flake easily with a fork
Depending on the thickness of the fillet and the temperature and style of cooking, it can take 5-6 minutes or upwards of 15-20.
This is where practice comes into play. If you’re unsure, begin by using the recipes as your guide.
Once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll come to understand the different methods, times and temperatures and will be able to cook it without thinking.
Salmon Breakfast Recipes
Smoked Salmon Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
These nova and lox-centric breakfast and brunch recipes are my go-to when I want something easy that still feels a little special—think bagels with all the fixings, savory egg dishes, and low-effort options that work just as well for holidays as they do for a lazy weekend.
You'll find most of these recipes here on Garlic and Zest, but I've also pulled a few from some of my trusted friends in the food-blogging space.
A soft scramble, but elevated. The key to using the fish in hot eggs is to add it at the last minute, so it doesn't cook, but just warms through.
This open-faced sandwich is something you'd expect to find at an upscale restaurant, but it's easy to make at home for a healthy weekend brunch. Dress the greens just before assembling to keep them bright and vibrant. This is a knife and fork smoked salmon and egg brunch dish. You'll love every bite.
Fresh herbs tossed into a thin, French-style omelette topped with ribbons of silky fish and crème fraiche. Briny capers add another dimension.
This puffy breakfast frittata uses fresh fillets, caramelized onions, kale, goat cheese and mushrooms cooked into fluffy eggs. It's a healthy, delicious breakfast.
Courtesy of Amanda from Striped Spatula, this is no ordinary Benedict. with savory dill waffles standing in for the English muffin, thinly sliced fish, perfectly poached eggs and of course, Hollandaise sauce. This is perfect for a holiday brunch or weekend entertaining.
My friend, Sue, who blogs at The View From Great Island, has an epic brunch platter that screams festive. With all the accoutrements, you can't go wrong with this spread. Pop some bubbly and indulge.
Salmon Snack and Appetizer Recipes
Salmon and Smoked Salmon Appetizer Recipes
If you’re looking ways to use this delicate fish for snacks and appetizers, this collection includes everything from quick party dips to elegant starters that are simple to make and perfect for entertaining.
This recipe combines the familiar with a few gourmet luxuries: Roasted potato rounds topped with ribbons of smoked fish, then topped with crème fraîche, caviar and dill. They taste as good as they look. Perfect for parties.
With horseradish, dill and Everything Bagel seasoning, these deviled eggs are instantly familiar and deliciously elevated. My husband finds them irresistible.
This creamy, spreadable fish dip goes perfectly with crackers, but it also makes an outstanding spread on toasted bagels. Don't you love recipes that pull double-duty?
Fish on pizza? You bet. Use a store-bought dough and layer this white pizza with thin-sliced zucchini and tomato, crumbles of goat cheese and good-quality olive oil. Add the fish just before serving to prevent drying out.
This cheeseball is made with a combination of cream cheese, goat cheese and nova, lox or cold-smoked fish with horseradish and chives for extra flavor. Coated in Everything Bagel seasoning and served with toasted bagel chips, it's a casual snack that eats fancy.
These are the perfect pretty little tea sandwiches for book clubs, baby showers and other mid-day social gatherings: beautiful, elegant, and flavorful! Recipe courtesy of my friend, Caroline, who blogs at Pinch Me, I'm Eating!
Salmon Dinner Recipes
Salmon Dinner Recipes
If you need dependable dinner ideas, this collection covers it all—quick skillet fish, easy baked filets, and simple meals that deliver big flavor with minimal prep.
You can have this simple tray bake on the table in just 20 minutes, with four basic ingredients. It pairs well with everything and is always a hit.
This creamy pasta is elegant enough for company, but simple enough for weeknights. You won't believe the secret ingredient.
Clean out your spice cabinet with this one–the blend will make your tastebuds dance and the fish gets a delectable crust you'll love. Serve with stir-fried veggies for a complete meal.
This fish cake recipe uses both fresh and smoked fish for more depth and flavor. Panko breadcrumbs give them a satisfying crunch. Try it with homemade tartar sauce tonight.
I love the al fresco nature of these petite fish sliders with BBQ sauce, pickled pink onions and quick-pickled cucumbers are a delicious hand-held that are ideal for cookouts, tailgates and weekend barbecues with friends.
The sweet-smoky flavor of this simple glaze gives the fish fillets a deep, rich flavor. Fresh scallions and cilantro brighten up the flavors. It's a recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights.
The simple soy glaze with sweet chili sauce and a bit of sriracha adds a flavorful kick to fillets. A quick pan-sear and sprinkle of sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, freshly squeezed lime and cilantro boost this recipe. Perfect over jasmine rice.
Look for fatty, striped fillets to bring out the richness and flavor of the cedar plank. Serve over a ragout of fennel and tomatoes.
Not my recipe, but one I reviewed for my friend Julia Konovalova when she published her first book, The Ultimate One Pan Oven Cookbook. Her recipe became an instant hit with our family–partially because we love a good sheet-pan dinner but mostly because of the delectable glaze.
Honestly, this is a perfect dinner for two (as Scott and I can attest to) or you can stuff the fish into refreshing lettuce wraps. Recipe courtesy of my friend, personal chef and fellow-food blogger, Carol who blogs at From A Chef's Kitchen.
Whether you’re planning a laid-back brunch, a crowd-friendly appetizer spread, or an easy salmon dinner, there’s something here you can make tonight.
No matter which method you choose, the goal is the same—cook it just until it flakes easily and still has a little moisture in the center.
Want more no-fail seafood recipes like these? Grab my free fish cooking guide so you can make perfectly cooked salmon every time.
Easy Ways to Change Up Salmon (Sauces, Toppings & Finishes)
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