Deliciously Festive: 5 Smoked Salmon Starters Your Guests Will Love

Deliciously Festive: 5 Smoked Salmon Starters Your Guests Will Love

Posted by Copas Farm Shop on 2nd Oct 2025

Here at Copas Farm Shop, Christmas is a time we all love to celebrate with delicious food.  To spark some festive inspiration, we asked our team to share their favourite smoked salmon starters — the ones they turn to year after year when hosting friends and family. The result is a simple yet elegant collection of five ideas that are quick to prepare and sure to impress.

There’s something effortlessly festive about smoked salmon at Christmas — silky, lightly smoky, and indulgent without being too heavy. The right starter should excite the palate, surprise your guests, and set the tone for a memorable meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I serve with smoked salmon at Christmas?
We are often asked this question.  We find that Smoked salmon works beautifully alongside creamy elements such as crème fraîche, cream cheese or soft goat’s cheese. Brighten it up with lemon, fresh herbs or cucumber, and add texture with blinis, crisp toast, or salad leaves. These combinations help balance the smoky richness and keep the starter feeling fresh and celebratory.

Is smoked salmon a good starter for Christmas Day?
Absolutely. Smoked salmon is a classic festive favourite in the UK. It feels luxurious, yet is quick and simple to prepare, giving you more time to enjoy the day with loved ones. Whether served on blinis, crostini, or as part of a sharing platter, it’s a reliable and crowd-pleasing choice.

1. Smoked Salmon Blinis with Dill Crème Fraîche

Why it works: Bite-sized and elegant, blinis are a timeless choice. The warm, soft base, creamy topping, and delicate smoky salmon make for an irresistible combination.

Ingredients & steps (serves 12):

  • Mini blinis (shop-bought or homemade)

  • Smoked salmon slices, thinly sliced

  • Crème fraîche

  • Fresh dill, finely chopped

  • Lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice

  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Assembly:

  1. Mix the dill, lemon zest and juice into the crème fraîche.

  2. Spoon a small amount onto each blini.

  3. Fold a slice of smoked salmon into a delicate rosette and place on top.

  4. Finish with a twist of black pepper and a sprig of dill.

Tip: Briefly warm the blinis in the oven before adding the topping for extra softness.

2. Smoked Salmon & Avocado Tartare with Cucumber Soldiers

Why it works: Light, modern, and full of texture, this tartare is indulgent yet easy to assemble.

Ingredients & steps (serves 6–8):

  • Smoked salmon, diced

  • Ripe avocado, diced

  • Shallot, finely chopped

  • Lemon juice

  • Olive oil

  • Salt & pepper

  • Cucumber, cut into sticks

Assembly:

  1. Gently combine salmon, avocado, and shallot with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

  2. Use a small ring mould to shape on plates, or serve in mini glasses.

  3. Arrange cucumber sticks around the tartare for scooping.

Tip: Keep avocado in slightly larger pieces to maintain a pleasant contrast with the salmon.

3. Smoked Salmon Roses on Potato Rounds with Crème Fraîche & Roe

Why it works: Elegant and visually striking, these “roses” add height and sophistication to your starter plate.

Ingredients & steps (serves 8–10):

  • Baby potatoes

  • Smoked salmon slices

  • Crème fraîche

  • Salmon roe (or trout roe)

  • Chives, finely snipped

Assembly:

  1. Boil the potatoes until just tender, then slice into 1 cm rounds and allow to cool.

  2. Spread each round with crème fraîche.

  3. Roll strips of salmon into rose shapes and place on the potato rounds.

  4. Garnish with a spoonful of roe and a few chives.

4. Smoked Salmon & Goat’s Cheese Crostini with Honey & Thyme

Why it works: Sweet meets savoury for a luxurious bite — creamy goat’s cheese, runny honey, and fragrant thyme complement the salmon perfectly.

Ingredients & steps (serves 12–15):

  • Baguette slices, lightly toasted

  • Soft goat’s cheese

  • Smoked salmon

  • Runny honey

  • Fresh thyme leaves

  • Lemon zest

Assembly:

  1. Spread goat’s cheese on each crostini.

  2. Place a folded slice of smoked salmon on top.

  3. Drizzle lightly with honey.

  4. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and a touch of lemon zest.

5. Smoked Salmon & Celeriac Remoulade Cups

Why it works: A retro-inspired yet fresh bite, perfect for a gourmet starter.

Ingredients & steps (makes 12–15 cups):

  • Smoked salmon, shredded

  • Celeriac, cut into matchsticks

  • Mayonnaise

  • Dijon mustard

  • Capers, chopped

  • Parsley, chopped

  • Endive leaves or baby gem “cups”

Assembly:

  1. Combine mayonnaise, mustard, capers, parsley, salt & pepper to create the remoulade.

  2. Toss the celeriac in the remoulade until lightly coated.

  3. Spoon into endive or baby gem cups.

  4. Top with smoked salmon and a small parsley sprig.

Tip: Let the remoulade sit for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to develop.

Final Serving Tips

  • Balance flavours: Pair smoky salmon with citrus, herbs, or something crisp.

  • Keep portions moderate: Starters should whet the appetite without filling guests.

  • Garnish with style: Dill, chives or edible flowers elevate presentation.

  • Add sparkle: A glass of prosecco or champagne is a perfect partner for smoked salmon starters.

Whether hosting a cosy family Christmas or a larger festive gathering, these smoked salmon starters are guaranteed to impress.  Why not take a look at our Award-winning salmon from MacNeil's Smokehouse, an artisan, British-based small-scale producer of delicately smoked products. Everything is smoked by hand in small batches in their beautiful Norwegian smoking kiln.

Our scottish salmon is responsibly sourced and treated with the utmost care to maintain its delicate texture and glossy appearance. Perfect for starters, canapes, sandwiches or on its own. Find out more about our smoked salmon here. 

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