Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches (Canapés)
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These smoked salmon tea sandwiches (crostini) show up at 90% of our major parties. They are definitely a treat because the smoked salmon can be spendy, but they are so delicious and everyone loves them.
You can literally see people’s eyes light up when they see these salmon canapes (I know mine do!). I can’t resist the temptation of sneaking one before the party starts ;). The cream cheese dill spread is fantastic and compliments the salmon perfectly. This would probably make a great full-size sandwich!
Ingredients for Smoked Salmon Canapés:
8 oz package cream cheese
2 Tbsp Mayo
1-2 Garlic cloves, pressed
1-2 Tbsp dill leaves, finely chopped (optional, but highly recommended!)
More dill sprigs for garnish
4 oz smoked salmon
1 long baguette
2 Tbsp butter, melted
How to Make Salmon Tea Sandwiches:
1. Preheat your Oven to 350˚F.
2. Slice bread into 1/3″ thick slices on the diagonal. Note: If your bread is very fresh and soft, you don’t need to brush with butter and bake. My bread was a little more stale so I toasted it and it helped. Place the bread slices side-by-side onto a large baking sheet. Brush the tops with butter. Flip the breads over and brush the other side with butter. I just use long strokes across multiple slices of bread at the same time. Don’t spend too much time on this step; no need for perfection :).
Bake at 350˚F for 5 minutes or until edges are just barely starting to turn golden. The breads should still be soft in the center.
3. In a small bowl, combine all of your spread ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese (no need to soften it), 2 Tbsp Mayo, 1-2 pressed garlic cloves (depending on your love for garlic), 1-2 Tbsp freshly chopped dill. Mash it all together with a fork.
4. Spread the cream cheese mix over the top of each bread slice. It’s ok to spread even if the bread is still warm. Top with a piece of salmon and garnish with dill. If stacking, it’s a good idea to put plastic wrap between the layers so the bread doesn’t get soggy.
Feel free to pin these. They are pretty much awesome.
Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches (Canapés)
Ingredients
- 8 oz package cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp Mayo
- 1-2 Garlic cloves, pressed
- 1-2 Tbsp dill leaves, finely chopped
- More dill sprigs for garnish
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- 1 long baguette
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your Oven to 350˚F.
- Slice bread into 1/3" thick slices on the diagonal.
- Place the bread slices side-by-side onto a large baking sheet. Brush the tops with butter. Flip the breads over and brush the other side with butter. I just use long strokes across multiple slices of bread at the same time. Bake at 350˚F for 5 minutes or until edges are just barely starting to turn golden. The breads should still be soft in the center.
- In a small bowl, combine all of your spread ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese (no need to soften it), 2 Tbsp Mayo, 1-2 pressed garlic cloves, 1-2 Tbsp freshly chopped dill. Mash it all together with a fork.
- Spread the cream cheese mix over the top of each bread slice. It's OK to spread even if the bread is still warm. Top with a piece of salmon and garnish with dill. If stacking, it's a good idea to put plastic wrap between the layers so the bread doesn't get soggy.
Notes
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Followed the recipe and made no changes. It was perfect! Nothing left on the platter.
Love it! Thanks a lot for your good comments and review.
Natash, how long ahead can these canapés be made? I want to make it for a tea party.
Hi Emilia, they are best same day!
Great appetizer! A favorite among the kids, even with the garlic.
Great to hear that! Thank you for your good review.
Hi Natasha, love the recipe but it’s so hard to read because a million ads spread themselves all over my screen. This is so annoying and frustrating that I had to give up. A real shame because the recipe looked great.
Hi Jopie, Thank you for sharing your concerns and feedback. The only way we can continue providing free recipes is by having ads on our site so we are not able to remove those at this time. We find that most people would rather see the ads than pay to see the recipes. But that feedback is noted we’ll make sure to work on improving the ads.
Hey Natasha! I want to make these for a New Years party. I need to make about 60 sandwiches. How much approximately should I double or triple the recipe?
I think that would be best, Nellie! I baguette sliced thin makes about 20 sandwiches
Can these be made the night before for a brunch party? Or will they be soggy
They are best fresh. If making ahead the bread will get soggy especially since they will need to be stored in a fridge.
Hi Natasha, Have you ever used goat cheese instead of cream cheese for this recipe? Thanks, Lydia
Hi Lydia. I haven’t tried it but here is what one of our readers said “try an herbed goat cheese (herbs of your choice but dill is always a good start) and use smoked trout instead of the salmon. A bit different but very tasty” I hope this helps
Sounds yummy! Thanks so much for the suggestion! Happy weekend, Lydia
Natasha, There is a grammar error .. Its “I know mine do ” not ” I’m know” (just fyi)
I’m a little OCD 🙂
Thank you Elle, I just got it fixed 😀. If you see anything else, let me know.
I made 40 salmon sandwiches. I used 16oz of smoked salmon, a little less than 2 lbs of cream cheese , 3 baguette. The only thing I changed from the original recipe is i didn’t use any mayo, only cream cheese with garlic and dill, i like better that way. Everyone loved them, you should give them a try.
I’m happy to hear how much everyone enjoys the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review Elias!
Is it ok to refrigerate the cream cheesecake/mayo mix overnight and assemblr everything right before a party the next day?
Olga, yes absolutely. This is a smart way to make it ahead 😀.
I used bagels to slice very thin, small toasts and made bite size sandwiches to share on a hike with fellow hikers. It was a big success. Thank you for this delicious recipe.
Florence, I’m so happy you enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Natasha,
This recipe was so simple and so delicious. All my guests loved it. Thank you!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and you are welcome Tina 🙂
Thank you for another wonderful recipe. I was asked to bring an appetizer to an anniversary party and looked to you for ideas because everything I have made of yours is most excellent! Again, we were not disappointed, and these disappeared in no time at the party, with many compliments! Thanks to you and your family for sharing your talents and culture with us. We really enjoy your site.
Mercede, thank you for your encouraging comment. I’m so happy you enjoy our recipes :).
I came across this photo on Pinterest. I do love me some smoked salmon, but I have to ask about that gorgeous board the sandwiches are displayed on. Where’d you get it??
I found that in TJ Max. It is an olive wood cutting board. You just have to keep an eye out for them. They aren’t always available 🙂
Hi Natasha! These look delicious and I’m planning on serving them for a new tradition I’m starting tomorrow…A Christmas eve tea party:) My question to you is how long do you recommend refrigerating? Is it served cold? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Nicole, they are best eaten the same day. Serve them right away or refrigerate for up to 6 hours. They are still very tasty the following day, but taste best when made the same day. Hope this helps :).
Made these little guys for yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner. Super easy to make and oh so good! 😉
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! 🙂 Thanks for the great review!
Hi, can I ask how long these sandwiches last? Is it okay if I make them in late morning around 11 or noon, and keep them in lunch boxes (without refrigerating) until 8pm? Can they still be eaten then? Thanks 🙂
Smoked salmon and cream cheese should really be refrigerated. They’d probably be ok if you packed ice packs around your food and had an insulated lunch bag to keep them chilled.
Okay thank you! Can I ask if this can be served cold then? I now plan on replacing the cream cheese spread with mashed potatoes, and then refrigerating the smoked salmon & mashed potatoes until around 30min before serving. So sorry for the multitude of questions, I’m a cooking novice hope you don’t mind >< Thank you!
I’m having a really hard time imagining the canapes with mashed potatoes; especially cold mashed potatoes. I’d definitely recommend the cream cheese. You can pre-make them 30 min in advance and just keep things refrigerated until serving. If it is only 30 minutes, you can even leave them at room temp 30 min before serving.
A lady did this spread for our church New Years Party. I got to do the rest…while spreading everything on the bread and topping the salmon I probably drooled more than ever I. I forgot to ask her what she put in it and thought about for a few days already! I am so glad I checked once again on your website and found everything I need, like always! Thank you very much for your effort to make life easier! 😀
Your comment made me smile…”like always..” I’m so glad you found what you were craving 🙂
These were scrumptious! Wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you so much for your delicious recipes!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these 🙂
A simple, BEAUTIFUL recipe! We love smoked salmon, so this is definitely a must-try! Thanks so much for sharing Natasha!
You’re welcome! 🙂 I hope you love it!
We had this for breakfast today. The most simple and delicious way to make these!
I agree. These are so easy and good!
Natasha –
I’ve found it at Meiers stores (IL and MI), Casey’s Finer Food, etc. It is not too uncommon just usually overlooked. Your recipe and other’s comments would be great with the Trout (slightly different taste than salmon – usually a bit sweeter I think). A very thin slice of Vadalia onion, thin piece of cucumber, etc – To me with a large bowl of Osetra and lavosh or crackers of any type, would be as close as I’m gonna get to Heaven….
Wow that does sound like a dreamy combo!
Natasha and Friends –
Nice recipe. Here’s a slight deviation – try an herbed goat cheese (herbs of your choice but dill is always a good start) and use smoked trout instead of the salmon. A bit different but very tasty.
Thanks for the reminder
Chef Richard
Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll have to try your version. Sounds amazing! Where do you buy smoked trout?
Some people don’t like smoked salmon. Really!!!??? How it’s even possible? I have no idea. I love your sandwiches. I agree, dill compliments salmon. I would only toasted one side of the bread, it adds crunchiness but a litle bit.
I can’t understand that either 😉 It is nice toasted and works really well for slightly stale bread.
Can’t wait to try this! Wondering if this is raw salmon?
Hi Kelsey, this salmon is smoked not raw. I hope that helps.
Having Birthday party tomorrow, I’m totally trying it. Looks awesome!!!!! Thanks for alway great recipes!!!
You are welcome Olga, enjoy the party :).
These look delicious. I love to add thinly sliced cucumbers or tomatoes to my salmon sandwiches. Salmon sandwiches are so easy and everyone loves them. Will definitely make them your way next time:)
Cucumbers do sound nice. I bet it adds some nice freshness to these. I’ll have to try your way too!
On the top of my to do list!!! Love smoked salmon!
Where did you do purchase that beautiful salmon dear?
This one was from FredMeyer, but I think the best salmon is in Costco although it is a little spendy.
This recipe looks really good. I can’t wait it give it a try.
I hope you LOVE it! 🙂
I make them like this too, sometimes I add chives. So so good!!!
Ooooh chives, you can’t go wrong with those!
Ohhh Natasha! My husband and I love salmon sandwiches! Last week I made my own cured salmon by using Mom’s Dish recipe for Smoked Salmon. Let me tell you the salmon was so DELICIOUS! I spent $20 for 2 lb of salmon and was amazed how amazing it tasted! (I spend around $13.50 for 8 oz of salmon from the store!! Eekkk!) So curing your own salmon saves a lot of money. I will be definitely trying this recipe when I will make my own salmon (which will be next week!). Try Mom’s Dish recipe, you won’t regret it. 🙂
I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks Oksana!! 🙂
You are sweet! Thank you 🙂
Where do you buy the wild smoked salmon?
Because SAMs club has pretty good one but it’s
farm raised and my husband won’t eat farm
raised salmon.
This one was from Fred Meyer but the best tasting one I think is from Costco although I’m not sure if it’s farm raised?
I love this classic combination! I would totally be sneaking these babies.
Yes, and multiples when no one is watching! 🙂 P.S. I love your blog!
We make those all the time, but not exactly to the same recipe, but idea is there. We even have some in the fridge now. My husband likes those on bagels, he’ll buy them specifically for the salmon.
We make it even more simple: Bagels (small or big), cream cheese OR Laughing Cow spread (we like original, but they also come in different flavors), and the salmon. Since bagels are fresh, we don’t toast them, and because kids don’t like garlic we omit for them. I would love to try your idea with the mayo and dill, sounds so tasty. Next time I think I’ll do that, but we’ll stick with bagels since for some reason my husband thinks that’s the only way to eat this sandwich.
That’s sounds amazing as a sandwich and with the laughing cow cheese. Thanks for sharing :). I guess I better buy more salmon!