Description
A quick, no-cook 5PM dinner savior featuring toasted bagels topped with creamy dill cream cheese, smoked salmon, and fresh toppings. Ready in under 10 minutes with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bagels (everything or plain sesame), sliced in half
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened (optional)
- 4 ounces (115g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 small clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 ounces (115-170g) smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- 2–3 thin slices red onion, julienned
- 4–6 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ½ avocado, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly green. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Slice bagels in half. If using, spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides.
- Toast bagels in a toaster or toaster oven until golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Let toasted bagels cool for a minute.
- Spread a generous layer of the dill cream cheese mixture on each bagel half.
- Drape smoked salmon slices over the cream cheese, folding slightly to create volume.
- Sprinkle with drained capers and add thin slices of red onion.
- Add optional toppings like cherry tomatoes or avocado.
- Finish with a final crack of black pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not assemble bagels ahead of time as the salmon will make the bagel soggy. The dill cream cheese can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Ensure capers are well-drained to prevent watery bagels. Use high-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel half
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: smoked salmon bagel, dill cream cheese, quick dinner, 5pm dinner, no cook dinner, easy weeknight meal, high protein, low carb option