Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites {Low Carb, Gluten-Free}

by Dorothy Reinhold on May 9, 2018


Print This Post Print This Post CUCUMBER SMOKED SALMON APPETIZER BITES: Crisp cucumbers are topped with garlic and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon and other garnishes that you might see on your Sunday bagel, for a light, flavor-packed appetizer that pairs beautifully with a fragrant white wine. #shockinglydelicious #appetizer #easyrecipe #smokedsalmon #cucumber #sponsored #cocktailparty #wineoclock

Crisp cucumbers are topped with garlic and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon and other garnishes that you might see on your Sunday bagel, for a light, flavor-packed appetizer that pairs beautifully with a fragrant white wine.

There are many joys of life in Southern California, among them weather that cooperates most of the year, allowing for outdoor get-togethers on a whim, and watching and playing sports all year long.

We’re big fans of soccer here, and we often pair game-watching with nibbles and drinks, whether the game is at a local field, an away-tournament, or on our TV screen. It always goes better with appetizers and wine. Soccer_Ball

I was thinking of what to serve that would be low-carb, wouldn’t aggravate gluten-free friends, and would pair nicely with a new-to-me bottle of deliciously fragrant white wine, and it struck me — what about classic bagel toppings, but without the bagel? Let’s put them on crisp cucumber slices, for an irresistible nibble.

Easy to make Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites

These are among the easiest appetizers I have ever made.

Ingredients for Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer BitesAssemble all the ingredients and peel the cucumbers decoratively (don’t they sort of look like soccer balls?). I peel alternate stripes, but suit yourself. You could peel them entirely if you like, or don’t peel them at all.

Cucumbers and Boursin on ShockinglyDelicious.comCut crosswise slices about 1/4-inch thick. Spread each slice with some softened Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese. You could also use whipped cream cheese if you like. This acts as the glue to hold the rest of the toppings on snugly.

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.comTop each with a thin piece of smoked salmon. Place a few slivers of purple onion, a couple of drained capers, and even a sprinkle of black or white sesame seeds (this pays homage to the sesame seeds that are often on a bagel).

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer RecipeThat’s it! See how easy it is? You can even arrange them on a plate in the shape of a soccer ball!

What wine to drink with your Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites with Trivento White Orchid WineThe logical wine to choose is Trivento White Orchid Reserve Torrontes. Trivento Wine is the Official Wine of MLS (Major League Soccer), so it’s a natural for soccer-themed parties and potlucks. I was very impressed by the characteristics of the Trivento White Orchid Reserve Torrontes. My go-to wine is generally a Pinot Grigio, and this is an innovative blend of Torrontes (the dominant white grape of Argentina) and Pinot Grigio grapes, whose marriage makes them both better. Breathe in, and you smell a garden of flowers, pineapple, chamomile and white pepper from the Torrontes grapes, wafting with the golden apple and citrus of Pinot Grigio. Your first sniff might cause you to think it will be sweet, but it isn’t. It’s an off-dry, light wine with a refreshing flavor that pairs remarkably well with summer foods. At about $11 a bottle, it’s a perfect everyday wine, as well. Take a look at the Trivento-MLS Loyalty program, as well, where you can sign in on a mobile device, buy Trivento, earn credit and get MLS gear. Score!

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites with Trivento wine and a red soccer ballIt really complements these Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites — the floral wine is a nice counterpoint to the crisp and slightly sweet cucumber, creamy/garlic-y cheese, salty salmon, sharp onion flavors.

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bite with Trivento White Orchid wineThese appetizers paired with that wine….it makes a worthy goal! (See what I did there?  😎 )

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 20-40 bites

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites

CUCUMBER SMOKED SALMON APPETIZER BITES: Crisp cucumbers are topped with garlic and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon and other garnishes that you might see on your Sunday bagel, for a light, flavor-packed appetizer that pairs beautifully with a fragrant white wine.

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1 package Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese (or similar product, or use whipped cream cheese)
  • 1 package thinly sliced smoked salmon
  • 1/8th of a purple onion, sliced very thinly
  • Capers in brine
  • Black or white sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Peel the skin of the cucumber alternately in strips, for a fanciful appeal. Slice the cucumber crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices (too thin and they'll flop around and spill the toppings when you pick them up).
  2. Spread each cucumber round with a bit of Boursin (this will act as the glue to keep the salmon attached), then top with a small thin piece of smoked salmon.
  3. Garnish each with a few drained capers, a couple of slivers of purple onion, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
  4. NON-DAIRY: Omit the Boursin and use the other toppings
  5. VEGETARIAN: Use the Boursin but omit the smoked salmon and use the other toppings
  6. VEGAN: Omit the Boursin and smoked salmon and use the other toppings
  7. Makes about 20-40 bites, depending on how thickly you cut the cucumber slices and how big your cucumbers are.

Notes

Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/cucumber-smoked-salmon-appetizer-bites/

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizers and wine with cleats and red soccer ballCheers to a fun season of soccer, whether you play, you watch, or you do both!

areyoupinningPin the image below to your Pinterest board to save both the recipe and the reminder of the wine to pair with it.

Easy Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites on ShockinglyDelicious.comDisclosure: This post was sponsored by Trivento Wine.

{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Heather May 11, 2018 at 7:44 pm

This looks like an incredible snack. Paired with wine it would be the best kind of Friday night after a long week. Such an easy and tasty recipe.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 9:34 pm

Heather,
You have that right about Friday night!

Reply

Amy Smith May 11, 2018 at 2:32 pm

Just wanted to stop by and say this recipe turned out to be awesome for me. Its so delicious and easy to make not to mention very quick. If you have not tried it yet then I would say you must try it once.

Reply

Des May 11, 2018 at 1:10 pm

The perfect bite-sized snack!

Reply

Cathy May 11, 2018 at 11:25 am

Gorgeousness! Simplicity and flavor at its best. Love it.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 12:31 pm

Thank you Cathy!

Reply

Toni | Boulder Locavore May 11, 2018 at 10:39 am

What a gorgeous party appetizers!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 12:32 pm

Toni,
They really do dress up a plate nicely! 🙂

Reply

Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert May 11, 2018 at 8:06 am

They look so cute and yummy!

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Demeter May 11, 2018 at 6:53 am

These make such a gorgous presentation for your guests! I bet they disappear quickly!

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Anna May 10, 2018 at 9:13 pm

What a great appetizer idea for Spring brunches! So pretty too!

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Lisa May 10, 2018 at 7:44 pm

This looks like my kind of snack! I will definitely have to try to make this.

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I Heart Naptime May 10, 2018 at 2:02 pm

Yum, these look so fresh and healthy!

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Nikki Arnold May 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm

These look so good!! I love smoked salmon and the cucumber would be so refreshing!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Nikki,
It is! Crisp cukes, smoked salmon…match made in heaven!

Reply

Kara | Dollar Mommy Club May 10, 2018 at 10:57 am

This looks amazing. It is like sushi but with a cucumber! I will have to try this!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 2:07 pm

Kara,
Yes, it is sorta like sushi I guess, except with smoked salmon (sushi is usually raw fish). Try it!

Reply

Erika Kerekes May 10, 2018 at 9:50 am

Yes – this is one of my favorite appetizers! Brilliant!

Reply

Angela Tolsma May 10, 2018 at 5:58 am

I’ve done similar things in the past but have never heard of Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese. Definitely want to find that and try this out.

Reply

Narkis Moshe May 9, 2018 at 9:51 pm

Omg, these bites are absolutely the cutest thing ever! I love the idea. Even the small details with how you peeled the cucumbers are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 11, 2018 at 2:06 pm

Narkis,
You’re welcome! That little cucumber trick is one I use all the time. It looks so fancy, yet is really no work at all.

Reply

Tiffany R Thomas May 9, 2018 at 8:52 pm

Thanks for sharing this. This looks wonderful. I have never made sushi before, but if I follow your recipe I am sure I will do well.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 9, 2018 at 9:05 pm

Tiffany,
This isn’t sushi, but rather a slice of cucumber with smoked salmon on top. Sushi is a most often a little cake or cooked rice with raw fish on top.

Reply

Michelle May 9, 2018 at 8:21 pm

Every one of these looks and sounds good!! I may have to test some out.

Reply

Marjie Mare May 9, 2018 at 8:04 pm

I could have my friends come over right now, just to make these cucumbers smoked salmon appetizers. They look so delicious and elegant.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 9, 2018 at 8:18 pm

Marjie,
You are so right! You could have a make-your-own party…they are both rustic and elegant at the same time!

Reply

Stephanie May 9, 2018 at 7:52 pm

These look like something my husband would absolutely love! I don’t like smoke-flavored anything, but could also try with something else on there too.

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Dorothy Reinhold May 9, 2018 at 8:18 pm

Stephanie,
Yes, make them to suit YOU!

Reply

Lois Alter Mark May 9, 2018 at 5:10 pm

Ooh, those look delicious! Forget about having them as appetizers. A plate of those could totally be my dinner!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold May 9, 2018 at 5:50 pm

Lois,
You and I think alike!

Reply

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