Smoked Salmon Crostini

Why you’ll love this appetizer:

Smoked salmon takes any dish from ordinary to elegant. Toasted baguette gets a fancy makeover with herby cream cheese, fresh tomato relish, and thinly sliced smoked salmon.

• One of the best crostini recipes
• Ready-to-eat in 30 minutes
• Can be prepared a day ahead for easy entertaining

Crispy toasted baguette complements the buttery texture of the salmon. Creamy filling infused with capers and dill is soft and doesn’t overpower the delicate salmon flavor. And tomato relish adds freshness to every bite!

Key Ingredient Notes:

• Tomato – Roma tomatoes is ideal for the relish, as it has low water content and meaty flesh.
• Red onion – The spicy and slightly sweet flavor makes the relish absolutely divine.
• Cream cheese – Full-fat cream cheese will give you the creamiest spread, but fat-free cream cheese works too.
• Lemon juice – I’m not a fan of bottled lemon juice, so naturally I recommend freshly squeezed lemon juice. I try to always have lemons on hand. They brighten up any dish! 
• Capers – Capers pack a bright and briny punch to the rich cream cheese. They are typically in the condiment aisle with pickles and olives.
• Dill – While fresh dill is preferred, it’s not always available at our local stores. And I’ve used dill paste and freeze-dried dill instead. They work great!! Dill paste is just fresh dill that has been washed, chopped, and packed into a squeezable tube. It’s in the refrigerated section near the produce.
• Baguette – While you can buy pre-sliced crostini from the store, a freshly sliced and toasted baguette will give you the best results.
• Smoked salmon – Wild-caught, cold-smoked salmon is your best buy. It has a silky texture, fresh taste, and it’s packed with nutrients. It’s typically near the fresh seafood in vacuum-sealed packs.

How to prepare this brunch spread:

There are three quick elements to this smoked salmon appetizer. Each one complements the smooth and smoky flavor of the salmon.

1. Make the tomato relish

Combine the tomatoes, red onions, salt, and pepper. Let it sit and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 day in advance.

2. Make the cream cheese spread

Stir together the cream cheese, lemon juice, capers, and dill.

4. Assemble

Right before serving, spread the cream cheese filling onto the toasts, then top with the tomato relish and smoked salmon.

Alternatively, arrange all the components on a large serving platter and let your guests assemble their crostini.

Storing Tips:

• While the individual elements can be made ahead of time, it’s best to assemble them right before you plan to enjoy them. Otherwise, crostini will get soggy and you won’t have that satisfying crunch.
• If you have leftover crostini, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

More crostini recipes ideas:

Crostini can be topped with whatever you like! Here are a few delicious combinations to try.

• Caprese – Top toasted baguette slices with fresh mozzarella and sliced tomato. Bake until the cheese is warm and melty then top with basil and balsamic glaze.
• Goat cheese & honey – Spread goat cheese onto the crostini and top with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.
• Hummus & sundried tomato – Spread hummus onto the toasted bread then top with chopped sundried tomatoes and feta cheese.
• Pesto – Spread pesto onto the toasted baguette then add a slice of mozzarella.

FAQs:

More smoked salmon appetizers:

I adore smoked salmon! It’s an easy way to elevate an appetizer! Try one of these crowd-pleasing apps at your next party or gathering.

• Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer
• Smoked Salmon Bites
• Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
• Dill Crepes with Smoked Salmon