Anyone can order smoked salmon for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, and everyone loves it. That being said, many people don’t know how much smoked salmon to serve each person. This article will talk about some things you should think about when figuring out how much smoked salmon to serve each person.
The first factor to consider is the occasion. You might not need to serve a lot of smoked salmon to each person if it’s an appetizer or a small part of a bigger dish. On the other hand, you should plan for bigger portions if you’re making smoked salmon the main course or centerpiece of a meal.
Smoked salmon is a delicious and luxurious food that can be served in a variety of dishes However, determining the right portion size for smoked salmon can be tricky You want to make sure you provide enough so everyone gets a proper serving, without providing too much and having expensive leftovers. This guide covers everything you need to know about serving smoked salmon, including recommended portion sizes per person.
Factors to Consider
To figure out how much smoked salmon to serve each person, you should think about the following:
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Course of the meal: If smoked salmon is the main protein in a meal, you’ll need more than if it’s just an appetizer or on crackers. A starter only needs about 2 ounces and a main course about 4 ounces per person.
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Other foods – If smoked salmon is part of a larger spread, like a brunch buffet or charcuterie board, smaller portions around 1-2 ounces per person are sufficient. The other foods help make up a filling meal.
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Appetites – Consider if you’re serving adults or kids and if your guests have hearty or light appetites. Seniors and kids often eat smaller portions.
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Leftovers – Smoked salmon leftovers should be eaten within 3-4 days, so don’t buy way more than you need. But having a bit extra is better than running short.
Recommended Portion Sizes
Here are general guidelines for serving smoked salmon per person:
- Appetizer or starters: 2-3 ounces or 56-85 grams
- Salad topping or crackers: 1-2 ounces or 28-56 grams
- Main course or protein: 4-6 ounces or 113-170 grams
- Brunch buffet: 2-3 ounces or 56-85 grams
- Charcuterie or smoked fish platter: 1-2 ounces or 28-56 grams
A whole side of smoked salmon averages about 1 pound or 454 grams. This is enough to serve 6-8 people appetizer-sized portions For a main course, it would serve 3-4 people
Serving Smoked SalmonSlices
When buying pre-sliced smoked salmon, here are some serving recommendations:
- 100 grams serves 2 people
- 200 grams serves 3-4 people
- 454 grams (1 pound) serves 6-8 people
If you purchase a whole side of salmon and slice it yourself, expect to yield about 12-16 slices per pound. Each slice should weigh approximately 1-1.5 ounces or 28-42 grams.
Purchasing Tips
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Buy sliced smoked salmon packs if you only need a small amount. Reclose packs to prevent drying out.
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For crowds, order a whole side of smoked salmon and slice it yourself. This is much more economical.
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Get more than you think you need. Running out of smoked salmon is a big letdown. Extras keep for months frozen.
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Factor around 1 pound per 4-6 people if smoked salmon is the main focus of the meal. Adjust up or down for heartier or lighter appetites.
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Purchase smoked salmon from a reputable seller and store properly refrigerated. Discard if any off odors, textures or excessive drying is noticed.
Serving Smoked Salmon for a Crowd
When serving smoked salmon for a party, open house or other large gathering, follow these tips:
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Set up a smoked salmon station with crackers, breads, condiments, lemon wedges, etc. so guests can assemble their own.
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Offer smaller 2-ounce portions since it’s not the main meal. You can easily replenish as needed.
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Slice smoked salmon thinly and artistically arrange on platters. Drape dill or lemon slices over the fish.
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Keep extra smoked salmon refrigerated until needed. Remove portions to room temperature 30 minutes before replenishing platters.
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Have 6-8 pounds of sliced smoked salmon on hand for a party of 50-75 guests. Adjust amounts as needed.
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Place platters of smoked salmon on ice to keep chilled if serving for long periods.
Storing Leftover Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon has a relatively short shelf life compared to other smoked meats and fish. Follow these storage tips:
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Refrigerate uneaten sliced smoked salmon promptly in an airtight container. Use within 3-4 days.
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Freeze leftover vacuum-packed smoked salmon for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
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Store homemade gravlax wrapped tightly in plastic wrap up to 1 week. Commercial gravlax keeps for 3-5 days refrigerated.
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To freeze gravlax, portion into slices, vacuum seal, and freeze up to 2 months.
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Portion smoked salmon into recipes like salmon cakes, salmon salad, or scrambled eggs within 2 days. Use in cooking rather than eating raw.
With proper refrigeration and freezing, you can fully enjoy every last bit of smoked salmon without any going to waste.
Serving Ideas for Smoked Salmon
In addition to enjoying smoked salmon in traditional ways on bagels, toast or crackers, here are some creative serving ideas:
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Smoked salmon Benedict – Top poached eggs and english muffins with smoked salmon, hollandaise and fresh dill
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Smoked salmon salad – Toss flaked salmon with fresh greens, capers, onion and a lemon vinaigrette
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Smoked salmon sushi hand rolls – Add spicy salmon rolls to your sushi spread
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Smoked salmon quiche – Bake in eggs, cream and Swiss cheese for brunch
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Smoked salmon mousse – Fold whipped cream cheese and lemon juice into flaked salmon
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Smoked salmon pizza – Top thin crust with cream cheese, red onion, capers and salmon
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Smoked salmon omelette – Saute onions and fold in smoked salmon with fresh dill
Appetizers or Small Plates
For appetizers or small plates, plan on serving 1-2 ounces of smoked salmon per person. This much is just right for adding flavor and protein without making your guests too full before the main course.
Brunch or Light Lunches
Two to four ounces of smoked salmon should be enough for each person at a brunch or light lunch. This amount will provide enough protein and flavor to satisfy your guests without overwhelming them.
Prepare 4-6 ounces of smoked salmon for each guest at a dinner party where it will be the main course or main attraction. This amount will ensure that your guests leave feeling satisfied and full.
Another factor to consider when determining how much smoked salmon to serve per person is your budget. Smoked salmon can be expensive, so it’s important to keep your budget in mind when planning your menu.
If you don’t have a lot of money, you could use smoked salmon as an accent instead of the main course. Instead of serving it by itself, add it to other foods to make them taste better, like scrambled eggs or salads.
If you have more money, you can order more smoked salmon. To make the meal more fancy, you might even think about using better or more expensive types of smoked salmon.
Finally, when determining how much smoked salmon to serve per person, consider your guests. Are they big eaters?
Do they have dietary restrictions? These factors can affect how much you should plan on serving.
If your guests are big eaters or really like smoked salmon, you should plan to give them bigger portions. You don’t want anyone to leave the table feeling hungry or unsatisfied.
If you are having guests who can’t eat pork or are vegetarian, make sure you choose a type of smoked salmon that doesn’t contain pork and adjust the serving sizes accordingly. In some cases, you may need to provide alternative protein options for these guests.
Finally, think about the event, your budget, and your guests when deciding how much smoked salmon to serve each one. You can make sure that everyone at your table enjoys their meal and leaves feeling full by thinking about these things and following the tips in this article.
The Truth About How Smoked Salmon Is Made
FAQ
How many people does 1 lb of smoked salmon serve?
How much smoked salmon is a portion?
How much smoked salmon for 8 people?
Is 1lb of salmon enough for 2 people?
How much smoked salmon per person?
Estimate 3 ounces of smoked salmon per person as an appetizer or starter. If the Smoked Salmon is the main dish, increase the amount to 4-5 ounces per person. I generally err on the side of too much, since leftover smoked salmon can be kept well.
What is a healthy amount of salmon to consume per month?
This will depend on what type of salmon you consume. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend eating salmon more than twice a week due to several types of contaminants present in the fish (if it is salmon from aquaculture, this number increases to once a month). Compared to aquaculture, wild salmon has lower levels of PCBs and better nutrients, however, its price comes to cost almost twice as much, in addition to being more difficult to find this product on the market. Consuming canned salmon is also a good tip – this is because, for the most part, it is of wild origin (apparently, farmed salmon does not keep well when canned).
How much salmon should you eat per person?
Knowing the ideal portion size of salmon per person is essential for hosting a successful meal. Aim for 4 to 6 ounces per serving, considering factors like appetites and accompanying dishes. By following our portioning tips and cooking advice, you’ll create a memorable dining experience that leaves everyone satisfied.
How much smoked salmon do you need for brunch?
Smoked Salmon. You’ll want about 12 ounces to 1 pound of quality smoked salmon to serve a small crowd of 4 to 6 people. Eggs. This is optional, but I think they elevate this platter to something of a stand-alone light meal for brunch.