Tasty Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast Recipe

Here’s my go-to smoked salmon avocado toast recipe, with fresh sourdough bread, creamy mashed avocado, and good quality smoked salmon, topped with a squeeze of lemon and some fresh herbs.

This breakfast combo has become my family’s weekend favorite. I like to set up all the ingredients buffet-style so everyone can build their own toast just the way they like it. Because let’s be honest – isn’t breakfast more fun when you can customize it?

What Kind of Smoked Salmon Should I Use?

When shopping for smoked salmon, you’ll typically find two main types at the store: hot-smoked and cold-smoked (also called lox). For avocado toast, cold-smoked salmon is usually the better choice since it has that silky, buttery texture that pairs perfectly with creamy avocado. Cold-smoked salmon is thinly sliced and has a more delicate, raw-like texture, while hot-smoked salmon is flakier and more similar to cooked fish. If you’re buying packaged smoked salmon, look for pieces that have a bright pink color and avoid any that look dry or have brown edges. Keep in mind that farm-raised salmon tends to be milder in flavor, while wild-caught has a stronger taste – both work great, so choose based on your preference.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Smoked salmon: If you’re not a fan of smoked salmon or can’t find it, try using canned tuna, smoked trout, or even thin-sliced turkey. For a vegetarian version, try using thinly sliced tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
• Everything bagel seasoning: No everything bagel seasoning? Make your own by mixing equal parts poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and a pinch of salt. Or simply use sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
• Bread: Any bread works here – sourdough, whole grain, or even bagels! Just make sure to toast it well for the right texture.
• English cucumber: Regular cucumber works just fine – just remove the seeds if they’re too watery. You could also use thinly sliced radishes for a different crunch.
• Red onion: Shallots make a good swap, or try green onions for a milder flavor. If you’re not pickling them, you might want to use less.
• Red wine vinegar: For pickling the onions, you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar instead. The taste will be slightly different but still good!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making smoked salmon avocado toast is timing – using avocados that are either too firm or too ripe can ruin your breakfast, so gently press the avocado to check for slight give without being mushy. Another common mistake is not toasting the bread enough – underdone toast will become soggy under the toppings, so make sure to toast until it’s golden brown and crispy enough to hold up to the avocado spread. Quick-pickling your red onions in the vinegar mixture for at least 15 minutes before assembling helps mellow their sharp bite and adds a pleasant tang that complements the rich salmon and creamy avocado. For the best results, slice your cucumber paper-thin (using a mandoline if you have one) and pat the smoked salmon dry with paper towels before placing it on the toast to prevent excess moisture from making your creation soggy.

What to Serve With Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast?

Since smoked salmon avocado toast works as both breakfast and lunch, you’ve got lots of tasty options for side dishes! For breakfast, I love pairing it with some scrambled eggs or a simple fruit salad – berries and citrus fruits work especially well with the rich salmon and creamy avocado. If you’re serving this for lunch, try adding a light mixed green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, or some crispy roasted breakfast potatoes on the side. You could also serve it alongside a cup of chilled cucumber soup in summer or hot tomato soup in winter for a more filling meal.

Storage Instructions

Prep Ahead: You can pickle the red onions up to a week in advance – just keep them in their vinegar solution in the fridge. The cucumber can be sliced the night before and stored in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

Keep Components Separate: For the best results, store each component separately. Keep the smoked salmon in its original packaging in the fridge, and wrap avocados tightly in plastic wrap if they’re cut. The toasted bread is best made fresh, but you can slice the bread ahead and store it in a bread bag at room temperature.

Assembly: This toast is best assembled right before eating to keep everything fresh and crispy. Once assembled, it should be eaten within 30 minutes – otherwise, the toast can get soggy and the avocado might start to brown. If you’re packing it for lunch, keep all components separate and assemble at serving time.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 g

Ingredients

For the pickled onions:

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 small red onion (thinly sliced using a mandoline, about 1/8-inch thickness)

For the toast:

• 4 pieces toast (sourdough or whole wheat preferred for better texture)
• 8 oz smoked salmon (cold-smoked is best for flavor)
• 2 ripe avocados (should yield easily to gentle pressure)
• lime or lemon wedges (for serving)
• 1/2 English cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 2 tsp everything bagel seasoning (I use Trader Joe’s brand)

Step 1: Prepare the Pickled Onions

In a bowl, combine water, vinegar, and onion slices.

Allow the onions to pickle for at least 10 minutes.

This will give them a tangy flavor perfect for your dish.

Step 2: Mash the Avocado

Scoop half an avocado onto each piece of toast.

Use the back of a fork to mash the avocado directly on the toast to your desired consistency.

Alternatively, you can mash it in a separate bowl using a potato masher for more control over the texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Avocado Toast

Once the avocado is mashed onto the toast, add a layer of smoked salmon over the avocado, followed by a layer of cucumber slices.

This adds a fresh and satisfying combination of flavors and textures.

Step 4: Add Pickled Onions and Seasoning

Drain the pickled onions and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Sprinkle a small handful of pickled onions on each piece of avocado toast.

Top each toast with your desired amount of everything bagel seasoning for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the avocado toasts on a serving plate and serve them with lime or lemon wedges on the side.

Squeeze a bit of citrus over the top before eating to enhance the flavors.

Enjoy your refreshing and delicious avocado toast creation!