The Best Smoked Salmon Toast Recipe for an Effortless Brunch

A couple weeks ago, my friend Anne hosted a sourdough-making class at her house, and it was just the nudge I needed to become hooked. There’s something so satisfying about the ritual of feeding my starter, shaping the dough, and pulling a beautifully golden loaf from the oven.

But as any fellow sourdough fanatic knows, there’s a small window where it’s at its absolute best—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for slicing. So lately, I’ve been on a “toast for dinner” kick in an effort to make the most of our freshly-baked bread. This smoked salmon toast is one I keep coming back to for any time of day. With creamy whipped cheese, fresh crunchy cukes, and briny bursts of capers and lemon zest, it’s an insanely delish flavor combo.

A No-Cook Dinner of Dreams

The crunch of toasted sourdough against rich smoked salmon, plus the creamy cheese with briny capers and cucumbers—it’s a next-level combination that feels elevated enough for a brunch, but couldn’t be easier to throw together for mid-week dinner. I just served it at this café inspired gathering, and it was such a hit. I like to pile everything onto a board and let my family assemble their own (DIY dinner for the win.)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what I used to bring this one together:

• Toasted Sourdough – A really good quality sourdough makes this addictive.
• Whipped Cream Cheese – I like the light and airy quality of a whipped version—you could also use ricotta or even cottage cheese.
• Smoked Salmon – Salty and packed with flavor (and protein.)
• Persian Cucumbers – For freshness and crunch.
• Capers – A pop of briny, salty goodness. Feel free to omit if you’re not a caper fan.
• Shallots – I like to shave on a mandoline to make the slices paper thin.
• Fresh Dill and Mint – The more herbs the better (in my book!)
• Edible Flowers – If you’re feeling extra, these are a beautiful finishing touch for a spring gathering.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning – Truly makes everything better and brings in a classic “bagel and lox” flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest – Adds bright, citrusy flavor – don’t skip this.

Tips for the perfect Smoked Salmon Toast

• Use high-quality ingredients – The simpler the recipe, the more you’ll want to consider the quality of ingredients since every element will shine.
• Slice the sourdough thick – For this recipe, a thicker slice helps it hold up to all the toppings.
• Choose the best smoked salmon – Go for buttery, high-quality salmon that’s not overly salty.
• Don’t skip the lemon zest – It brightens everything and ties the flavors together.

Variations to try

One of the best parts of a toast situation is that it’s endlessly customizable. A few ways to riff on this combo:

• Low-carb or “snacky” option – Swap sourdough for a seed-based cracker or flatbread.
• Spicy version – Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey.
• DIY toast bar – Set up a spread with toppings like avocado, radishes, pickled onions, or a soft-boiled egg and let everyone build their own. A “toast party” is so much fun.

What to serve with this Smoked Salmon Toast

Here’s a great menu I’d serve for a brunch gathering:

This smoked salmon toast is a meal that never gets old for me, whether it’s a leisurely weekend brunch or a quick and easy dinner. Give it a try, and be sure to rate and review in the comments.

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