Spring Brunch Smoked Salmon (Printable)

A colorful brunch board with smoked salmon, assorted bagels, fresh veggies, and creamy whipped cheese.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bagels

01 - 6 assorted bagels (plain, sesame, everything, or choice), sliced

→ Spreads

02 - 10.5 oz plain cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fish

07 - 10.5 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
10 - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup capers, drained
13 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
14 - Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
15 - Fresh chives, for garnish

→ Optional Additions

16 - 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
17 - Radishes, thinly sliced
18 - Baby arugula or mixed greens

# How To Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, blend softened cream cheese with chopped chives, dill, lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth and fluffy. Transfer to a serving bowl.
02 - Arrange the sliced bagels on a large board or platter in an organized, visually appealing pattern.
03 - Fold or roll smoked salmon slices and arrange them attractively across the board.
04 - Neatly group red onion, tomato, cucumber, avocado, and optional additions in clusters around the board.
05 - Add capers and lemon wedges. Garnish board with fresh dill sprigs and chives for color and aroma.
06 - Position the whipped cream cheese bowl on the board as a central feature.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing guests to build their own bagels with desired toppings and spreads.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but requires zero cooking skills, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck at the stove.
  • Everyone builds their own combination, so picky eaters and adventurous ones find something perfect without you playing short-order cook.
  • The herbed cream cheese tastes like you spent hours on it, but honestly takes about two minutes to whip together.
02 -
  • Slice your avocado no more than 15 minutes before serving, or it'll turn brown and guests will think you didn't care—a squeeze of lemon juice helps if you're planning ahead.
  • The herbed cream cheese tastes better when the cream cheese is fully softened; cold cream cheese won't whip properly and you'll end up with lumps that make people worry something's wrong.
  • Arrange everything except the avocado and tomato an hour ahead if you need to—they're the only things that truly demand last-minute placement.
03 -
  • Buy pre-sliced smoked salmon from the deli counter if you can—it's consistently thinner and more elegantly arranged than trying to slice it yourself, and honestly, this is not where you need to prove anything.
  • Choose heirloom or peak-season tomatoes; a mediocre tomato will drag down the entire board no matter how beautiful everything else looks, so don't compromise here.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cream cheese mixture right before serving—it brightens everything and makes people taste freshness instead of richness.
Go Back