Everyone loves a good charcuterie board, which is a collection of smoked or carefully cured meats and a nice range of other snackable finger foods. It can be the perfect addition to a dinner party or event. A good charcuterie board can make a long-lasting impression. So let’s expand our horizons and try a smoked SALMON charcuterie board!.
For your next event, a smoked salmon charcuterie board is a fun change from other cheese or charcuterie boards. We like the idea of making a charcuterie board with smoked salmon for breakfast, brunch, or even an Asian or sushi-themed event. Adding different kinds of ingredients to smoked fish to make it taste even better is a great way to impress your guests and make your party extra special.
Are you ready to try something new with your next charcuterie board? Here’s how to make a smoked salmon charcuterie board that will make your taste buds dance!
Smoked salmon is a tasty and flexible food that can be used in many different recipes. Its smoky, salty flavor pairs wonderfully with many different types of cheese. But there are so many kinds of cheese that it can be hard to choose.
In this article, I’ll recommend 14 of the best cheeses to serve with smoked salmon along with tips for pairing them. From mild, creamy cheeses to pungent crumbly ones, there’s something here for every palate!
The Classics: Cream Cheese and Goat Cheese
Cream cheese is the classic choice to pair with smoked salmon. Its cool, tangy flavor contrasts nicely with smoked salmon’s oiliness. To make a simple smoked salmon appetizer, just spread some cream cheese on crackers and top with a slice of salmon.
For a more interesting flavor, whip the cream cheese with herbs, citrus, or other mix-ins Goat cheese is another mild, fresh cheese that works well with salmon. Its subtle tang and creamy texture complements the smoke and saltiness
Soft and Spreadable: Brie and Feta
Other soft, spreadable cheeses like brie and feta also pair deliciously with salmon. Young brie has a mild, earthy flavor that won’t overpower the salmon. To make the cheese taste stronger, use brie that is older and is beginning to run in the middle.
Feta cheese crumbles beautifully on top of smoked salmon and adds a pleasant saltiness. To make it more spreadable, mash it up with some olive oil. The briny flavors pair so nicely together.
Something Nutty: Havarti and Gouda
For a nuttier flavor profile turn to cheeses like Havarti and Gouda. Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese with a buttery aromatic flavor. Aged Gouda develops crunchy crystallized bits along with a deep caramel taste.
Both of these cheeses have enough flavor complexity to balance the strong taste of smoked salmon. Try them together on an open-faced sandwich.
Ooey and Gooey: Fontina and Mozzarella
Melty cheeses like fontina and mozzarella work wonderfully with smoked salmon, especially when cooked. Fontina is a semi-soft Italian cheese that becomes deliciously gooey when melted.
It has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs with salmon’s fattiness. Mozzarella also melts beautifully into creamy deliciousness. For an easy dinner, top a smoked salmon pizza with slivers of mozzarella and fontina cheese.
Sharp and Crumbly: Parmesan and Pecorino
For something more bold and complex, go for hard Italian cheeses like Parmesan and Pecorino. Freshly grated Parmesan adds a sharp, salty punch that highlights smoked salmon’s smoky essence.
Pecorino Romano has a similar intense saltiness balanced by a subtle sweetness. Crumble either cheese over smoked salmon pasta or salads. The contrast of creamy and crispy textures takes the dish to the next level.
Pungent and Powerful: Roquefort and Gorgonzola
Strongly-flavored blue cheeses like Roquefort and Gorgonzola match up to smoked salmon’s intense taste. The pungent funkiness pairs surprisingly well with smoky fish.
Crumble these moist, veined cheeses over salmon toast points or add them to an elegant composed salad for an upscale appetizer. A little bit of blue cheese flavor goes a long way.
Extra Tips for Pairing Cheese and Smoked Salmon
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Try different cheese pairings to see which you enjoy most. Taste is subjective!
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Let soft cheeses come to room temperature before serving for the most flavor.
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Cheese contrasts nicely with salmon’s oiliness. Go for something creamy.
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Aim for balance in flavor intensity. Pair mild salmon with strong cheese and vice versa.
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Cheese can highlight or contrast smoked salmon’s signature smoky taste.
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Cheese and smoked salmon both contain a good amount of fat. A little goes a long way.
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Accompaniments like crackers, bread, vegetables, and herbs bring the dish together.
With its rich smoky flavor, smoked salmon offers a tasty canvas for exploring all different cheese pairings. Depending on your preferences, you can select mild or strong cheese, soft or hard cheese, nutty or funky cheese.
Just about any cheese’s creamy texture balances out the fish’s oiliness. Play around with different cheese and smoked salmon combinations to keep your appetizer spreads exciting and delicious. With so many options, you could try a new pairing every day!
How To Make An Epic Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board:
If you want to make a charcuterie board, smoked salmon might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Since most of them use pork-based products such as salami and prosciutto. But the cool flavor of cold-smoked salmon and the strong flavor of hot-smoked salmon can give your charcuterie board something extra. Salmon also goes well with a lot of different sides, like crackers and cream cheese. It can be the perfect mix you didn’t know you needed. But, trust us, you will soon realize what a wonderful thing you have been missing out on!.
When picking salmon for your charcuterie board, the most important thing is to pick a high-quality salmon that is tasty, healthy, and of course sustainable. We personally recommend Oshēn Salmon which can be delivered directly to your door. You can learn how to cold smoke salmon HERE.
How you display your salmon charcuterie board can make all the difference. Choose a beautiful board or slate. Then choose matching dishes for your spreads, nuts, toasts, etc. Make sure to also choose spoons or knives that are smaller. We love forks because they make it easy for people to put smoked salmon on their toast.
A charcuterie board takes a lot of care to put together. You have to make sure that the flavors don’t clash when you put them together. Assuring that your accompaniments pair well with your meat is also crucial when assembling your charcuterie board.
Everyone has different tastes, but feel free to use this list as a starting point for your next smoked salmon charcuterie board. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different flavors, too!.
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel | Blackstone Griddles
FAQ
What cheese is best with salmon?
What goes with smoked salmon on charcuterie board?
Can salmon be eaten with cheese?
What cheese goes with smoked salmon?
It’s one of the most versatile cheeses to pair with smoked salmon because it can either be grated on top or melted for a creamy dip. When grated, Parmesan adds an extra salty crunch that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of the salmon. It also works well when melted over toast points for an appetizer that is sure to please any palate.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.
Does Cheese go with salmon?
Cheese is one of the most versatile foods. It can be used to accompany a variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner. Cheese is a delicious addition to salmon and can be paired with both white and red varieties. Cheddar cheese pairs well with salmon because it has a mild flavor, which complements the natural sweetness of the fish.
What goes well with smoked salmon?
Pretty salty, crumbly feta cheese is a great match for smoked salmon. Its subtle saltiness and creamy texture pairs well with the strong flavors of the fish. If you’re looking to make an appetizer, try making small crostini topped with feta and smoked salmon slices, then garnish it with fresh dill sprigs or capers.