Spring Brunch Smoked Salmon (Printable)

A vibrant brunch platter featuring smoked salmon, assorted bagels, fresh garnishes, and whipped cream cheese.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bagels

01 - 6 assorted bagels (plain, sesame, everything, or your 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

# Directions:

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 layout.
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 separate clusters around the board.
05 - Distribute capers and lemon wedges throughout the board, and garnish with fresh dill sprigs and chives.
06 - Place the whipped cream cheese bowl on the board.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing guests to build their own bagels according to their preferences.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required, which means you can sleep in and still impress without stress.
  • Everyone gets to build their own bagel, so picky eaters and adventurous tasters are equally happy.
  • It looks restaurant-quality but takes just twenty minutes of prep work.
02 -
  • Toast your bagels lightly if they've been sitting around, even for a few hours—the warmth revives them and makes the cream cheese melt just slightly, which changes everything about how it tastes.
  • Slice your avocado no more than ten minutes before serving, because oxidation is real and a brown avocado ruins the whole vibe of spring freshness.
03 -
  • Buy your smoked salmon from a fishmonger if you can—they'll slice it thinner and fresher than pre-packaged, and it makes a visible difference in how elegant the board looks.
  • Set out small plates and napkins before guests arrive, or watch people eat over the board in a way that gets messy fast.
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