Smoked Salmon Bagel Board for Feeding a Weekend Crowd
A bagel board turns the classic smoked salmon bagel into a shareable spread that feeds 8-10 people without any cooking required. You’ll arrange everything on a large board or platter, letting guests build their own combinations.
It’s ideal for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or any time you want to feed a crowd with minimal effort and maximum impact.
Choosing Your Smoked Salmon and Bagels
Buy 1 to 1.5 pounds of smoked salmon for this size crowd. Nova or Scottish-style salmon works best since it’s less salty than lox and has a silky texture that layers well on bagels. Avoid pre-sliced packages if possible – ask the deli counter to slice it fresh.
Get a variety of bagel types: everything, sesame, plain, and pumpernickel give guests options. You’ll want 12-15 bagels total, sliced and lightly toasted just before serving. Day-old bagels actually toast better than fresh ones for this purpose.
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Assembly Strategy for Large Boards
Start with your largest items first – arrange the bagels around the edges of your board, then place small bowls for the cream cheese and capers. This creates structure before you add the salmon and smaller garnishes.
Keep the smoked salmon refrigerated until 15 minutes before serving, then arrange it in loose, overlapping ribbons across the center. Don’t lay it flat – the folds and curves make it easier for guests to grab pieces and create visual interest.
Smoked Salmon Bagel Board for Feeding a Weekend Crowd
Ingredients
Equipment Needed
- Large wooden cutting board or serving platter (at least 18×24 inches)
- Small serving bowls for capers and cream cheese
- Small serving spoons and spreaders
Instructions
- Toast bagels: Toast all bagel halves lightly until just golden. Let cool completely, about 10 minutes.
- Place bagels: Arrange toasted bagels around the edges of your large board or platter, cutting some in half if needed to fit.
- Add spreads: Place cream cheese in a serving bowl with a spreader and position on one corner of the board. Add capers to a small bowl with a spoon and place on the opposite corner.
- Arrange salmon: Arrange smoked salmon in loose, overlapping ribbons across the center of the board, creating natural folds and curves.
- Add vegetables: Fill remaining spaces with cucumber slices, red onion slices, hard-boiled egg slices, and halved cherry tomatoes, grouping similar items together.
- Final garnish: Scatter fresh dill sprigs over the entire board and place lemon wedges around the edges. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning lightly over vegetables and provide small bowls for guests to add more. Serve immediately while bagels are still slightly warm.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 serving)
