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Smoked Salmon Pinwheels Recipe

5 from 102 reviews

Delightful Smoked Salmon Pinwheels featuring thinly sliced cold smoked salmon rolled with creamy reduced-fat cream cheese, crisp cucumber matchsticks, tangy capers, and finely chopped red onion, served with fresh lemon slices. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or light snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon Roll

  • 8 ounces thinly sliced cold smoked salmon (Nova Lox recommended)
  • 4 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 medium cucumber, cut into matchsticks

Toppings and Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced thin

Instructions

  1. Prepare the work surface: Lay a large piece of plastic wrap flat on your work surface to prevent sticking and aid in rolling.
  2. Arrange the salmon: Place the slices of smoked salmon overlapping one another to form a rectangle approximately 6 inches wide and 12 inches long, with the longest side facing you.
  3. Spread cream cheese: Gently spread the 1/3 less fat cream cheese evenly over the salmon rectangle, being careful not to disturb the salmon slices.
  4. Add cucumber: Arrange the cucumber matchsticks along one of the long edges about half an inch from the edge to create the filling center.
  5. Roll tightly: Using the plastic wrap, carefully roll the salmon around the cucumber sticks, rolling tightly to form a compact log. Wrap fully in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
  6. Slice pinwheels: Remove from the refrigerator and unwrap. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 16 pinwheel slices approximately 1/2 inch thick each for perfect bite-size pieces.
  7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the pinwheels with finely chopped red onion and drained capers. Arrange on a serving dish and add thin slices of lemon on the side for an optional fresh citrus squeeze.

Notes

  • Use a very sharp knife to ensure clean pinwheel slices without squashing the roll.
  • Chilling the roll before slicing is crucial to maintain shape and easy cutting.
  • Substitute traditional cream cheese for a dairy-free equivalent to make a vegan-friendly version.
  • For extra flavor, you can add fresh dill or chives inside the roll along with the cucumber.
  • These can be prepared several hours ahead and kept refrigerated, making them ideal for entertaining.

Keywords: smoked salmon, appetizer, pinwheels, cream cheese, cucumber, capers, red onion, easy recipe, no cook