6 Easy Salmon and Smoked Salmon Appetizers

When it comes to versatility and ease of preparation, few ingredients can rival wild salmon. This delicious ingredient is not just a star in main courses, but also a showstopper in appetizers. Whether it's for an intimate dinner party, a casual family meal, or a larger cocktail gathering, wild salmon brings a flavor-forward and nutritious start to any multi-course meal.

Here are six easy salmon and smoked salmon appetizers that promise to excite your taste buds and impress your guests with their gourmet appeal.

Smoked Salmon Crostini

This easy recipe pairs lean slices of smoked sockeye with a crisp base of toasted bread, topped with cream cheese, dill, and capers. Choose your favorite bread, slice into bite-sized triangles and toast until golden. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each piece of bread and top with a small piece of smoked salmon. Garnish with dill, caper and lemon zest. If you don't have smoked salmon on hand, you can always use flaked cooked salmon in place of the smoked salmon.

Sweet and Spicy Salmon Fishcakes

This particular appetizer is brought to life by pairing citrus flavors with hits of spicy red curry, sugar and ground sockeye salmon. Paired with salty, crunchy cucumber-peanut sauce that’s also bright and fresh, this appetizer guarantees a full-spectrum flavor profile that begs to be made on repeat.

Broiled Scallion and Smoked Salmon Spread

This quick and easy appetizer is a spreadable, dippable addition to your holiday table — and it can be made in only 10 minutes. Our broiled scallion and smoked fish spread perfectly combines the sweet charred flavor of broiled scallions and salty smoked sockeye into a treat that's a perfect pairing for your favorite crackers, breads, or crunchy vegetables.

Quick and Easy Smoked Salmon Blinis

Salty and sweet, smoked salmon and blini are an unforgettable combo — simple but exciting, a smoked sockeye blini can be enjoyed as a divine finger food at any occasion. On top of being delicious, this recipe is quick and easy to make, on the plate and ready to eat in under 20 minutes.

Amazing Charcuterie Starring Wild Alaska Salmon

seafood charcuterie

Learn how to make your very own salmon-centric charcuterie boards for your guests. A charcuterie featuring wild salmon will offer all the variety you can imagine when creating this delicious and beautiful feast. This version of a charcuterie board is also a more health-forward option, full of lean protein, omega-3s, and a wide range of antioxidants that you don’t usually find in land-based charcuteries.

Tater Tot Bites with Cold Smoked Salmon

tater tots with smoked salmon

These smoked salmon bites are perfect to serve at any gathering — using frozen tater tots is a great hack for the holidays, since they offer lots of crunch and flavor with little effort. Despite how easy these smoked salmon bites are to make, they present as gourmet with effortless plating. Top your tots with a dollop of zesty creme fraiche or sour cream, a flake or two of cold smoked sockeye, and a sprinkling of chives to show off your plating skills.

Try mixing in other varieties of wild-caught fish and shellfish for more seafood appetizer ideas.