Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches: Elegant & Easy Recipe

These savoury smoked salmon tea sandwiches are cozy, elegant, and surprisingly easy to make.

With just 9 ingredients—including smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon zest, and fresh dill—they come together in about 25 minutes and can be prepared the day before serving.

Get detailed make-ahead tips, flavourful variations, and foolproof instructions to help you feel confident serving these at your next cozy gathering.

Smoked salmon tea sandwiches are a classic addition to any tea party, and my version gets a boost of flavour from a creamy, savoury filling.

Inspired by my smoked salmon canapés recipe, this version combines rich cream cheese, fresh dill, and a hint of lemon for brightness and depth, layered between soft slices of bread for an easy yet elegant bite.

Ingredients & Substitutions

There are only 9 ingredients in these sandwiches, but they pack a ton of flavour!

See below for key ingredient tips and easy swaps to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

• Smoked Salmon: I use cold-smoked salmon for this recipe, which is usually labelled as "smoked salmon" at the grocery store. You can use other varieties of cured salmon, such as Nova salmon, lox, or gravlax. However, avoid hot-smoked salmon (also called kippered salmon), as it has a firmer, flaky texture that doesn’t work well in tea sandwiches.
• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for richness. Let it come to room temperature before mixing—this makes it easier to blend and results in a smoother filling.
• Capers: These pickled flower buds add a tangy, savoury punch. If you don’t have them or don’t enjoy their flavour, you can leave them out.
• Fresh Dill: The fresh herbal flavour of dill complements smoked salmon beautifully. If needed, you can substitute dried dill—use about one-third of the amount.
• Lemon: A bit of lemon zest and juice brightens the creamy filling and cuts through the richness of the salmon and cream cheese. If you don’t have a lemon, a few drops of bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
• Bread: Thinly sliced pumpernickel or rye gives the sandwiches a bold, slightly nutty base. You can also use white or whole wheat bread—just make sure the slices are soft and easy to trim. Avoid breads with thick crusts, seeds, or large holes.

Remember, while these substitutions can work well, they might slightly alter the recipe's taste, texture, or overall outcome.

See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and recipe instructions.

Variations

There’s more than one way to enjoy smoked salmon tea sandwiches. These easy variations let you customize the recipe to suit any occasion, from a cozy brunch to afternoon tea.

1. Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches: Add thin cucumber slices for a refreshing crunch.
2. Open-Faced Smørrebrød Style: Serve on a single slice of rye bread and top with capers and finely diced red onion.
3. Bagel Sandwiches: Use bagels as a base, top with the cream cheese mixture and smoked salmon, then garnish with capers and finely diced red onion.

Pro Tip: For a festive touch, use cookie cutters to create fun shapes—like hearts for Valentine’s Day or stars for a baby shower.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches (Step-by-Step)

These smoked salmon tea sandwiches come together quickly with just a few simple steps.

Below, you’ll find clear instructions (with photos!) to guide you through making the cream cheese filling, assembling the sandwiches, and shaping them for a polished presentation.

Preparing the Cream Cheese Spread

Step 1: Combine the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise.

Tip: If your cream cheese is still cold, use a hand mixer to help blend it smoothly with the mayo.

Step 2: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped capers, and fresh dill.

Season with black pepper and salt to taste.

Assembling the Sandwiches

Step 3: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the filling evenly onto each slice of bread.

Step 4: Place two slices of smoked salmon on top of one slice of prepared bread.

Step 5: Add the second slice of bread on top, then trim off the crusts using a sharp bread knife.

Step 6: Cut the sandwich into triangles or 1-inch wide rectangles.

Tips for Success

• Use soft, thinly sliced bread. Breads that are too thick or crusty can overpower the delicate filling.
• Don’t overload the sandwiches with spread, or the sandwiches may become soggy.
• Always trim the crusts for a more polished, traditional look.

Important: Serve these sandwiches within 2 hours if left at room temperature, and avoid serving to pregnant people, young children, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

Make-Ahead

These smoked salmon sandwiches are perfect for entertaining because most (or all) of the recipe can be prepared before your event.

Make the Cream Cheese Spread in Advance

You can make the cream cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, then let it come to room temperature before using so it spreads easily.

Make the Sandwiches Ahead of Time

If you want to prep the full sandwiches in advance:

1. Make the spread and assemble the sandwiches as usual.
2. Do not trim or cut them yet. Instead, wrap them in wax paper and place them in the fridge under a damp tea towel (just be sure the towel doesn’t touch the bread directly, or it can become soggy).
3. Just before serving, unwrap the sandwiches and trim the crusts. Cold bread is easier to cut cleanly!
4. Slice the bread into the desired shapes and allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Pro Tip: To prevent soggy sandwiches, lightly butter each slice of bread before spreading on the filling. This creates a barrier between the bread and the moist filling.

Serve With

Of course, tea sandwiches are best paired with a great pot of tea! I prefer a classic black tea like English Breakfast, but the citrusy notes of Earl Grey complement the richness of smoked salmon beautifully.

If you want to brush up on your brewing technique, check out my guide on how to brew loose leaf tea, or explore the different varieties of tea in my guide to loose leaf tea for beginners.

For a complete tea party spread, add my savoury pimento cheese sandwiches and a sweet treat like my chocolate orange tarts, which are both easy to make. You can also explore more tea sandwich ideas to round out your menu with a variety of flavours and textures.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below—I'd love to hear from you!

And if you’re planning a tea party or special brunch, don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it later!