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Smoked Salmon Bagel Board: Easy Brunch Party Recipe for 2024

smoked salmon bagel board - featured image

This smoked salmon bagel board is a vibrant, crowd-pleasing brunch centerpiece featuring silky smoked salmon, crisp veggies, creamy cheese, and all the classic fixings. It’s quick to assemble, endlessly customizable, and perfect for gatherings big or small.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (16 oz) smoked salmon, thinly sliced
  • 810 bagels (classic, everything, sesame, whole wheat, or mini), sliced in half
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (whipped or regular, or flavored)
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 12 fresh cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 23 tomatoes, sliced (or cherry tomatoes, halved)
  • 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • A few sprigs fresh dill
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup olives (kalamata and/or green, optional)
  • 1/2 cup pickled red onions (optional)
  • 23 radishes, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 23 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice bagels in half horizontally. Toast lightly in batches if desired (2-3 minutes per batch).
  2. Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 10 minutes. For extra flavor, mix in chopped chives, dill, or lemon zest. Place cream cheese in a small bowl or ramekin.
  3. Thinly slice cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, radishes (if using), and hard-boiled eggs. Arrange slices on a plate or directly on the board.
  4. Separate smoked salmon slices and gently fold or curl into ribbon shapes. Fan out on the board for visual appeal.
  5. Start assembling the board: arrange bagel halves, then fill gaps with smoked salmon. Nestle bowls of cream cheese, capers, and olives in corners. Layer on veggies and herbs, tuck lemon wedges and dill sprigs in between.
  6. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper. Add pickled onions or a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Place small forks or tongs on the board for serving.
  7. Serve immediately, keeping salmon and cream cheese chilled until ready to eat.

Notes

Prep all toppings the night before for easy assembly. Keep salmon and cream cheese chilled until serving. For gluten-free or dairy-free options, swap bagels and cream cheese accordingly. Layer ingredients for a visually appealing, abundant look. Toast bagels lightly and let cool in a single layer to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked salmon, bagel board, brunch, party, easy, breakfast, entertaining, cream cheese, lox, crowd-pleaser, 2024