Smoked Salmon Bagels – Lemon Blossoms

Smoked Salmon Bagels or lox bagel with cream cheese is such a classic and elegant breakfast, lunch or brunch recipe, that can be put together easily and quickly. An open face salmon bagel sandwich can be customized to your taste. Herb cream cheese, red onion slices, fresh dill and briny capers are one of our favorite combos!

Smoked Salmon Bagel Recipe

If you are from New York or have spent some time there, you know that for generations Jewish-American – New York delis have been serving irresistible fresh bagels slathered with smooth cream cheese and the finest smoked salmon or lox. It’s a classic combination that works and is loved by many. 

Thankfully, you can replicate this smoked salmon bagels dish in the comfort of your own home, without traveling or spending crazy amounts of money. As an added bonus, you get to make this recipe your own. 

What’s a Classic Lox Bagel?

The original lox bagel was introduced by Jewish immigrants at the turn of the 20th century. The classic lox and cream cheese bagel was made with a plain bagel, plain cream cheese and lox which is brined salmon, not smoked salmon. 

This Kosher sandwich didn’t required a toaster oven (having to toast bagels became a thing not that long ago). The fresh flavor of these savory bagels came from the cured fish and not so much the toppings which were usually  capers, sliced onions and fresh dill.

Ingredient for Smoked Salmon Bagels

• The Bagels: Although plain bagels are classic, you can use any type of savory bagel and even mini bagels! Everything bagels, sesame seeds or poppy seeds bagels are some of the most popular choices as they compliment the saltiness of the fish.
• Smoked Salmon or Lox: The words smoked salmon and lox are used interchangeably although they are not the same thing. Both cold-smoked salmon or lox can be used in this recipe. Most grocery stores sell already sliced salmon which is super convenient. Slicing fish thinly, takes some practice, finesse and a great knife.
• Cream Cheese: I prefer plain cream cheese as I think it compliments the rest of the ingredients best however, the burst of flavors of herb cream cheese pair well with the smoked fish. I use full-fat cream cheese.
• Red Onion: This is a classic topping. Red onion adds flavor and color!
• Capers: Out of all the bagel toppings, salty and briny capers are my favorite (I know, I know, weird). They add a small pop of flavor that pairs well with the salmon.
• Fresh Dill Sprigs: Another classic that add freshness and color.
• Lemon Slices or Lemon Wedges: A splash of tart fresh lemon juice goes perfect with the smoky fish. It also completes the beautiful look.
• Other Smoked Salmon Bagel Toppings: Sliced cucumbers, avocado, tomato slices, sliced radishes, baby spinach, arugula, chives, caviar.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Bagels with Cream Cheese

1. Cut the bagel in half lengthwise then, toast it (optional).
2. Spread the cream cheese generously onto the bottom half of the toasted bagel.
3. Top with thinly sliced lox or smoked salmon.
4. Top with sliced onion, capers and fresh dill or any of your preferred toppings. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with the top half of the bagel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Salmon Should I Buy to Make Smoked Salmon Bagels?

Use cold-smoked salmon which is smooth and has the color of raw salmon not the hot-smoked salmon that is flaky and looks more like baked salmon. Cold-smoked salmon usually comes already sliced. Purchase smoked salmon without any additives. Nova smoked salmon is one of my favorites.

What are Capers and How Do They Taste?

Capers are the edible flower buds from a fragrant perennial plant (caper bush) that grows in the Mediterranean. They are small in size (like a pea or a corn kernel), grayish -darkish green and round. They are pickled and usually sold in glass jars. Capers are pungent, salty, vinegary and briny. They are used as a finishing touch for a number of seafood and pasta dishes.

What’s the Difference Between Lox and Smoked Salmon?

Lox Vs Salmon Simplified:

• Smoked Salmon is salt-cured or brined and then smoked.
• Lox is salt-cured or brined but never smoked.
• Lox comes from the belly of the salmon while smoked salmon can come from any part of the fish.
• Lox and smoked salmon have very distinct flavors. Lox is saltier while smoked salmon is smoky.

Can I Make Lox Bagels Ahead of Time?

I think eating these lox bagels immediately after you assemble them is best however, wrapped tightly to prevent sogginess, they will keep in the refrigerator for a day.