Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon

Featured in: Seasonal Fresh Picks

This winter harvest board showcases tender smoked salmon paired with roasted beet, fennel, and radishes. Cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish sauce add tangy richness. The spread is complemented by toasted rustic baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel bread. Garnishes like lemon wedges, capers, and fresh dill bring brightness. Perfect for entertaining, it offers balanced flavors and textures that celebrate seasonal produce and seafood in a simple, elegant presentation.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:21:00 GMT
Vibrant Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board, brimming with colorful veggies, creamy cheeses, and fresh dill. Save
Vibrant Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board, brimming with colorful veggies, creamy cheeses, and fresh dill. | freshyforks.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 dish quickly became a holiday favorite at our family gatherings due to its colorful presentation and delicious combination of tastes.

Ingredients

  • Seafood: 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

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.
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This board always sparks lively conversations and smiles as everyone builds their own perfect bites together.

Notes

For extra color, add slices of blood orange or pomegranate arils. Pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine or sparkling brut.

Required Tools

Large wooden or slate board/platter, paring knife, small bowls or ramekins, chefs 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.

A beautifully arranged Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board offering a delightful array of textures and flavors to enjoy. Save
A beautifully arranged Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon Board offering a delightful array of textures and flavors to enjoy. | freshyforks.com

This smoked salmon board brings elegance and ease to any gathering making it a memorable centerpiece.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How do I prepare the winter vegetables for the board?

Roast the beet wrapped in foil until tender, then peel and slice. Thinly slice fennel and radishes fresh for added crunch and freshness.

Can I substitute smoked salmon with other seafood?

Yes, gravlax is a great alternative that maintains a similar flavor and texture profile to smoked salmon.

What spreads pair well with smoked salmon on the board?

Cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish sauce add creamy texture and tangy notes that complement the salmon beautifully.

Which breads work best for this type of spread?

Rustic baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel bread provide sturdy bases with varied textures and flavors suited to the toppings.

How can I make this spread suitable for gluten-free diets?

Use gluten-free crackers and breads instead of the traditional rye and pumpernickel options to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Winter Harvest Smoked Salmon

A colorful winter spread featuring smoked salmon, roasted veggies, creamy spreads, and rustic breads for easy entertaining.

Prep time
25 minutes
Time to cook
10 minutes
Time required
35 minutes
Recipe by Freshyforks Lena Brooks


Skill level Easy

Cuisine European-Inspired

Portions 6 Number of servings

Diet Details None specified

What You'll Need

Seafood

01 8.8 oz smoked salmon, sliced

Winter Vegetables

01 1 small roasted beet, peeled 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 capers, drained
03 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
04 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 01

Roast beet: Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap beet in foil and roast for 40 minutes or until tender. Let cool, peel, and slice. This step can be completed in advance.

Step 02

Arrange smoked salmon: Form the smoked salmon into rosettes or gentle folds on a large serving board or platter.

Step 03

Place vegetables: Position the roasted beet slices, fennel, radishes, baby arugula, and pickled red onions neatly around the salmon.

Step 04

Add spreads: Spoon cream cheese, herbed goat cheese, crème fraîche, and horseradish sauce into small bowls or ramekins and place them on the board.

Step 05

Arrange breads and crackers: Fan out baguette slices, rye crackers, and pumpernickel bread alongside the other ingredients.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Serve: Present immediately, allowing guests to assemble their own tastes and combinations.

Tools Needed

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

Allergy info

Review ingredients for allergens. Reach out to medical experts if you're not sure.
  • Contains fish (smoked salmon), dairy (cream cheese, goat cheese, crème fraîche), and gluten (breads, crackers). Rye breads may contain sesame; verify labels.

Nutritional breakdown (each serving)

This nutritional data guides only—don't treat as medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 310
  • Lipids: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 29 grams
  • Proteins: 16 grams