Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel is a easy American recipe that serves 2. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Blackstone Griddles on YouTube.
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 4 min | Total: 19 min
Cost: $14.98 total, $7.49 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened, room temperature)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Dill (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Flat-Leaf Parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed from about half a lemon)
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest (zested from the same lemon)
- 1 pinch Salt (kosher or sea salt)
- 1 pinch Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 tsp Garlic Powder (for even distribution)
- 2 piece Everything Bagels (sliced horizontally, toasted)
- 1 tbsp Butter (softened, for toasting)
- 4 oz Smoked Arctic Salmon (thin slices, high‑quality)
- 2 tbsp Red Onion (thin julienne strips)
- 2 tbsp Cucumber (thin slices or julienne)
- 1 tsp Capers (rinsed)
- 0.25 cup Fresh Spinach Leaves (baby spinach, loosely packed)
- 1 tsp Olive Oil (extra virgin, for drizzle)
- 1 tsp Fresh Dill (garnish) (chopped, optional)
Instructions
Soften Cream Cheese
Leave the cream cheese at room temperature for about 30 minutes or microwave on low for 10 seconds until softened.
Time: PT2M
Chop Herbs
Finely chop fresh dill and flat‑leaf parsley.
Time: PT1M
Prepare Lemon
Juice half a lemon to get 1 tbsp of juice and zest the lemon to obtain 1 tsp of zest.
Time: PT1M
Make Herbed Cream Cheese Spread
In the mixing bowl combine softened cream cheese, chopped dill, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Time: PT2M
Prepare Bagels
Slice each bagel horizontally, then lightly butter the cut sides with 1 tbsp softened butter.
Time: PT1M
Preheat Griddle
Turn the Blackstone griddle to medium heat (about 350°F) and let it preheat.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: 350°F
Toast Bagels
Place the buttered bagel halves cut side down on the griddle. Toast for about 2 minutes per side until lightly crispy but not hard.
Time: PT4M
Temperature: 350°F
Slice Vegetables
Thinly julienne the red onion and cucumber.
Time: PT2M
Spread Cream Cheese
Generously spread the herbed cream cheese on each toasted bagel half.
Time: PT1M
Add Smoked Salmon
Layer thin slices of smoked Arctic salmon over the cream cheese.
Time: PT1M
Add Toppings
Top with red onion julienne, cucumber slices, capers, a handful of spinach, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with extra dill if desired.
Time: PT1M
Serve
Serve the assembled bagels immediately while the bagel is warm and the cream cheese is soft.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 18g
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 3g
Dietary info: Pescatarian, Contains gluten
Allergens: Dairy, Fish, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Cream Cheese: Neufchatel cheese, Greek yogurt (for lighter version)
- Instead of Fresh Dill: Dried dill (1 tsp)
- Instead of Flat-Leaf Parsley: Italian parsley
- Instead of Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice
- Instead of Lemon Zest: Lemon extract (pinch)
- Instead of Salt: Soy sauce (tiny)
- Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
- Instead of Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic (1/8 tsp)
- Instead of Everything Bagels: Plain bagel, Onion bagel
- Instead of Butter: Olive oil
- Instead of Smoked Arctic Salmon: Smoked trout, Canned salmon (drained)
- Instead of Red Onion: Shallots
- Instead of Cucumber: Zucchini
- Instead of Capers: Green olives, chopped
- Instead of Fresh Spinach Leaves: Arugula
- Instead of Olive Oil: Avocado oil
- Instead of Fresh Dill (garnish): Chives
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Small Whisk or Fork
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Zester or Microplane
- Blackstone Griddle
- Spatula
- Serving Plate
- Small Spoon for Spreading
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Make Herbed Cream Cheese Spread (step 4)
- Toast Bagels (step 7)
- Spread Cream Cheese (step 9)
Chef Tips from the Video
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cream cheese for an extra depth of flavor.
- Use toasted sesame seeds as a garnish for a subtle nutty crunch.
- If you like a bit of heat, drizzle a few drops of hot sauce over the salmon.
Troubleshooting
Bagel becomes too hard or burnt.
Reduce toasting time to 1‑1.5 minutes per side and keep the heat at medium (around 350°F).
Cream cheese spread is watery.
Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened but not melted; add a little more cream cheese or a pinch of extra salt to thicken.
Smoked salmon tastes dry.
Do not over‑toast the bagel; add a tiny drizzle of olive oil or a few extra capers for moisture.
Vegetables release too much water and make the bagel soggy.
Pat the sliced cucumber and onion with a paper towel before adding them.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store any leftover cream cheese spread, smoked salmon, and sliced veggies in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Re‑toast bagels before serving.
Freezer: Smoked salmon can be frozen for up to 1 month; do not freeze assembled bagels as texture will suffer.
Room temperature: Do not leave assembled bagels at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to dairy and fish.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the herbed cream cheese spread up to 24 hours ahead and store in the refrigerator.
- Slice red onion and cucumber and keep them in a sealed container with a splash of water to stay crisp.
- Portion smoked salmon into zip‑top bags for quick access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of smoked salmon bagels in American breakfast cuisine?
Smoked salmon bagels combine the Jewish tradition of bagel consumption with the popularity of smoked fish in American brunch culture. The pairing became iconic in New York City delis in the early 20th century and is now a staple of upscale breakfast and brunch menus across the United States.
What are the traditional regional variations of smoked salmon bagels in the United States?
In the Northeast, especially New York, the classic version uses an everything bagel, cream cheese, capers, red onion, and dill. In the West Coast, avocado or cucumber slices are added, and some chefs incorporate spicy mustard or sriracha for a modern twist.
How is smoked salmon bagel traditionally served in New York delis?
It is typically presented on a plate with the bagel halves toasted, a generous layer of plain cream cheese, thin slices of smoked salmon, a sprinkle of capers, finely diced red onion, a few cucumber ribbons, and a garnish of fresh dill. It is often accompanied by a lemon wedge and a cup of coffee.
What occasions or celebrations is smoked salmon bagel traditionally associated with in American culture?
Smoked salmon bagels are popular for weekend brunches, holiday brunches such as Easter or New Year's Day, and special occasions like bridal showers or birthday brunches where a touch of elegance is desired.
What authentic traditional ingredients are essential for a classic smoked salmon bagel versus acceptable substitutes?
The authentic ingredients include an everything or plain bagel, high‑quality smoked salmon (often Arctic or Nova style), plain cream cheese, fresh dill, capers, red onion, and lemon. Acceptable substitutes are smoked trout for salmon, Neufchatel cheese for cream cheese, and dried dill if fresh is unavailable.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making smoked salmon bagel on a Blackstone griddle?
Common mistakes include over‑toasting the bagel, which makes it hard; using too much butter, causing excess grease; and adding wet vegetables without patting them dry, which sogs the bagel. Follow the timing guidelines and keep the griddle at medium heat to avoid these issues.
Why does this smoked salmon bagel recipe use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Garlic powder distributes evenly throughout the cream cheese without creating small raw garlic bits that could affect texture. It also blends smoothly, keeping the spread creamy and consistent.
Can I make the herbed cream cheese spread ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can prepare the spread up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature for a few minutes before spreading to restore its softness.
What texture and appearance should I look for when the cream cheese spread is ready?
The spread should be smooth, glossy, and free of lumps. It should hold its shape when lifted with a spoon but be soft enough to spread easily over the warm bagel.
How do I know when the bagel is perfectly toasted on the Blackstone griddle?
The cut side should be golden‑brown with a crisp but not hard surface. Lightly press with a spatula; it should give a slight give without feeling raw.
What does the YouTube channel Blackstone Griddles specialize in?
The YouTube channel Blackstone Griddles focuses on outdoor and indoor griddle cooking, showcasing recipes that make the most of the Blackstone flat top, from breakfast favorites to dinner mains and desserts.
How does the YouTube channel Blackstone Griddles' approach to breakfast cooking differ from other cooking channels?
Blackstone Griddles emphasizes high‑heat, fast cooking on a flat‑top surface, offering tips for achieving perfect toast, sear, and grill marks, whereas many other channels rely on stovetop pans or ovens for breakfast dishes.
Last updated: August 24, 2026
