Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon

Featured in: Light Grain Bowls & Everyday Lunches

This winter harvest board highlights delicate smoked salmon complemented by roasted beets, fennel, radishes, and baby arugula. Cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish bring creamy and tangy layers. Rustic baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel provide hearty base elements. Garnished with lemon wedges, capers, and dill, it’s designed for easy, elegant entertaining during colder months, inviting guests to build their own flavorful bites.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:44:00 GMT
Beautifully arranged Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board, perfect for a festive gathering with savory bites. Save
Beautifully arranged Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board, perfect for a festive gathering with savory bites. | wheatkettle.com

A festive and vibrant board featuring smoked salmon, hearty winter vegetables, tangy spreads, and rustic breads–perfect for entertaining during the colder months.

This smoked salmon board has become my go-to for winter gatherings, delighting guests every time I serve it.

Ingredients

  • Smoked Salmon: 250 g smoked salmon, sliced
  • Winter Vegetables: 1 small beet, roasted and sliced; 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup radishes, sliced; 1/2 cup baby arugula; 1/2 cup pickled red onions
  • Dairy & Spreads: 120 g cream cheese; 80 g herbed goat cheese; 2 tbsp crème fraîche; 2 tbsp horseradish sauce
  • Breads & Crackers: 1 small rustic baguette, sliced and lightly toasted; 100 g rye crackers; 100 g pumpernickel bread, sliced
  • Garnishes: 1 lemon, cut into wedges; 2 tbsp capers, drained; 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

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Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Wrap the beet in foil and roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender. Let cool, then peel and slice. (This step can be done ahead.)
Step 2:
Arrange the smoked salmon in rosettes or gentle folds on a large serving board or platter.
Step 3:
Neatly arrange the roasted beet slices, fennel, radishes, baby arugula, and pickled red onions around the salmon.
Step 4:
Spoon the cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish sauce into small bowls or ramekins. Place on the board.
Step 5:
Fan out the baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel bread.
Step 6:
Garnish the board with lemon wedges, capers, chopped dill, and a few twists of black pepper.
Step 7:
Serve immediately, letting guests build their own bites.
Product image
Stir sauces, sauté vegetables, and serve meals gently while adding a charming touch to everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Stir sauces, sauté vegetables, and serve meals gently while adding a charming touch to everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
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| wheatkettle.com

This is always a hit with my family, creating wonderful moments around the board during cold winter nights.

Notes

For extra color, add slices of blood orange or pomegranate arils. Substitute gravlax for smoked salmon if desired. Pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine or sparkling brut.

Required Tools

Large wooden or slate board/platter, paring knife, small bowls/ramekins, chef's knife, cutting board.

Allergen Information

Contains fish (smoked salmon), dairy (cream cheese, goat cheese, crème fraîche), and gluten (breads, crackers). Some rye breads contain sesame; check labels if concerned. Always verify ingredient labels for allergens.

A colorful Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board showcases smoked salmon alongside roasted beets and creamy cheeses. Save
A colorful Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board showcases smoked salmon alongside roasted beets and creamy cheeses. | wheatkettle.com
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This smoked salmon board is the perfect balance of flavors and textures, ready to elevate any winter gathering.

Common Recipe Questions

What vegetables complement smoked salmon on the board?

Roasted beets, thinly sliced fennel, radishes, baby arugula, and pickled red onions add fresh, earthy, and tangy contrasts that enhance the salmon's flavor.

Which cheeses work well with this board?

Cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, and crème fraîche provide smooth, creamy, and tangy textures that pair exceptionally with smoked salmon and vegetables.

How should the breads be prepared for serving?

Lightly toasting rustic baguette slices enhances their crunch, while rye crackers and pumpernickel add hearty, textured variety for assembling bites.

What garnishes enhance this smoked salmon board?

Lemon wedges, capers, chopped fresh dill, and freshly ground black pepper brighten and elevate the flavors without overpowering the ingredients.

Can any substitutions be made for dietary preferences?

Gravlax can replace smoked salmon, and gluten-free crackers or breads work well to accommodate gluten sensitivities without sacrificing texture.

Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon

Festive board with smoked salmon, winter vegetables, tangy spreads, and rustic breads ideal for seasonal gatherings.

Prep Duration
25 minutes
Cook Duration
10 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Created by Lillian Roberts


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type European-Inspired

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Info None specified

What You Need

Seafood

01 8.8 oz smoked salmon, sliced

Winter Vegetables

01 1 small beet, roasted and sliced
02 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
03 ½ cup sliced radishes
04 ½ cup baby arugula
05 ½ cup pickled red onions

Dairy & Spreads

01 4.2 oz cream cheese
02 2.8 oz herbed goat cheese
03 2 tbsp crème fraîche
04 2 tbsp horseradish sauce

Breads & Crackers

01 1 small rustic baguette, sliced and lightly toasted
02 3.5 oz rye crackers
03 3.5 oz pumpernickel bread, sliced

Garnishes

01 1 lemon, cut into wedges
02 2 tbsp drained capers
03 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
04 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps

Step 01

Roast the Beet: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the beet in foil and roast for approximately 40 minutes until tender. Allow to cool, then peel and slice. This step may be completed in advance.

Step 02

Arrange Smoked Salmon: Form rosettes or gentle folds with the smoked salmon and place them artfully on a large serving board or platter.

Step 03

Place Vegetables: Distribute the roasted beet slices, fennel, radishes, baby arugula, and pickled red onions evenly around the salmon.

Step 04

Prepare Dairy Spreads: Spoon the cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish sauce into small bowls or ramekins and position them on the board.

Step 05

Add Breads and Crackers: Fan out baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel bread in accessible sections around the board.

Step 06

Garnish and Season: Decorate the board with lemon wedges, capers, chopped dill, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 07

Serve: Present the board immediately, inviting guests to customize their bites.

Essential Gear

  • Large wooden or slate serving board
  • Paring knife
  • Small bowls or ramekins
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Notice

Read each ingredient label for allergens and talk to a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains fish (smoked salmon), dairy (cream cheese, goat cheese, crème fraîche), and gluten (breads, crackers). Rye breads may contain sesame; verify labels.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Details here are for general info and aren't meant as medical advice.
  • Kcal: 310
  • Fats: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 29 grams
  • Proteins: 16 grams