The combination of the ingredients makes it rich , creamy and delicious..Don’t let any ingredients, like the Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, deter you from trying this recipe. In this article, I will share the directions on how to make the viral cucumber salad, what I learned, and tips for trying it at home.
The added benefit I wasn’t expecting was that I could use this as a quick high-protein snack. The serving size is about 1 cup. This recipe makes 2-3 servings, depending on how many cucumbers and smoked salmon you use when making the salad.
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INGREDIENTS
Cucumbers – I opted for four small miniature cucumbers instead of a large one, as I found it easier to stir the salad with a spoon rather than shaking it in a container. This method also allows for a more even distribution of the ingredients.
Red Onion -I am not a big fan of eating red onions, so I added half of the onions, tasted the salad and then I added the rest. I didn’t want the onion taste to take over the salad.
Herb and Garlic Cream Cheese – Depending on the number of sliced cucumbers, you may need to add more cream cheese. I used 3/4 of the cream cheese in the container, as it added a rich and flavorful twist to the salad.
Smoked Salmon – I purchased Blue Circle Norwegian Smoked Salmon with no additional seasonings or sauce added to it because I didn’t want any of the other flavors to change the taste of the salad. If you want your smoked salmon to be cooked a little longer, you can put it in the microwave. Not for long—because the Salmon is thin and doesn’t take long to overcook. If you want your salmon to be warm or cooked more, you can heat this up in the microwave with the heat on 50%. I used my entire 4 ounces of Smoked Salmon.
Medium Size Ripe Avocado– I always make sure I use a ripe avocado.
Chopped Fresh Dill – Most grocery stores have these in the small clear packages in the produce department.
Capers – I used regular drained capers without any extra seasonings.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning – Add more or as little as you like. The cream cheese will take away the overwhelming onion taste.
Salt and Pepper to your liking
INGREDIENTS
1 large whole cucumber
1/2 of a small red onion
1/2 of a medium size avocado
1/4 cup of Herb and Garlic cream cheese
Smoked Salmon – 1/4 of the container of the smoked salmon (add much as you like)
1/2 tsp Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
1 TBL of Capers, drained
1/8 tsp of Dill and some to garnish it to enhance the presentation
Salt and Black pepper to taste
Bowl with a lid (needs to be big enough for the ingredients to shake the container to mix)
Other dressing or shaved garlic, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS
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Slice the cucumber(s) into medium or thin slices. (depending on your preference)
Cut the red onion up into slices or dice into smaller pieces
Remove the dill leaves and cut into small pieces
Cut up half of the avocado and dice
Cut the salmon up into small pieces.
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Add the cucumbers, onions, dill leaves, and avocado to a mixing bowl.
Add the herb and garlic cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and everything but the bagel seasoning, salt, and pepper to the same mixing bowl.
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Place a top on the container and shake it until the salad is well blended. (I couldn’t shake mine for five minutes, so I had to stir mine until the salad was well blended.)
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Taste the salad to see if you need more seasoning or cream cheese.
This salad can be eaten alone or with other sides. This salad has protein and vegetables.
*The thin pieces of salmon weren’t enough to fill me up, so I had to cook a piece of salmon for me to eat with this. Next time I will purchase more smoked salmon.
HOW TO STORE THE CUCUMBER SALAD
It’s crucial to prepare and consume this salad on the same day. After making it, store the salad in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Remember, the key to enjoying this salad at its best is to eat it on the same day you make it. I learned this the hard way when I put the cucumber salad in the fridge, hoping to finish it the next day.
When I checked the cucumber salad the next day, the insides of the cucumber slices looked very translucent and were no longer firm or crispy. There was water at the bottom of the salad from the cucumbers. Due to the way it looked, I had to throw the cucumber salad away. When in doubt, I throw it out. I don’t take chances with my food, and I encourage you to do the same to ensure your safety and health.
OTHER ADDINS I THOUGHT ABOUT TRYING
- Carrots since they don’t have too much of a taste
- Noodles or pasta
- Other Veggies like raw squash or zucchini
- Crunchy Noodles
- Peppers – Green, Yellow or Red peppers
- Replace the Everything but the Bagel seasoning with one of your favorite seasonings
- Other proteins like chicken, a plant-based protein or your favorite protein
- Seeds/Nuts
- Don’t add the protein instead make this as a side dish
- Try some of your own favorites – mix it up and have some fun with your family
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THE CUCUMBER SALAD
At first, I was a little skeptical about trying this recipe because I had tried everything bagel seasoning before, and I didn’t like it all. It was way too much of everything and too many different flavors. I am glad that I was open-minded and gave this a try. This smoked salmon cucumber salad taste great, and the recipe is versatile.
It’s a great source of protein and healthy fats, making it a perfect snack to help me reach my daily nutritional goals such as protein. This salad is a great way to change up my snacks and to make a quick, easy snack. My serving was not enough for me as a meal. I had to bake me a piece of salmon in the oven after eating my serving because I was still hungry. Thanks, Logan Moffitt, for a great recipe.
NOTES
- It’s important not to overmix the salad once all the ingredients are added. This caution will help maintain the salad’s texture and flavor. Diced onions work best in the salad instead of sliced onions, depending on your preference.
- Don’t let the salad sit out of the refrigerator too long before eating it. The room temperature will change the consistency of the cream cheese.
- When using Everything But Bagel seasoning, remember to add a little at a time to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Feel free to experiment with your add-ins to create a unique flavor profile.
- Using small cucumbers and dicing the onions for this recipe is a practical choice, making mixing the salad with a spoon easier than shaking it in a container.
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