5 Smoked Fish Recipes To Serve This Thanksgiving

We love Thanksgiving at Acme Smoked Fish. Yes, a large turkey is the quintessential star of the show for this holiday, but let’s be honest… it’s all about the sides! We’ve created 5 knockout recipes using our smoky, buttery smooth, ready to eat smoked fish. But who came up with these recipes and what was the inspiration?

This all started when Holly Leung, our all-star Product Development Scientist decided to make something uniquely Thanksgiving for one of our Fish Friday Gary’s Specials. Fish Friday is Acme’s once-a-week retail experience where we sell our products directly to the public at wholesale prices. “Gary’s Specials” used to be developed by Gary Brownstein who retired this past May, and it’s been Holly who has taken the reigns of this iconic tradition.

One of Holly’s favorite holidays is Thanksgiving, so she was extra excited to create a Thanksgiving themed Gary’s Special this year. She tested, tasted, tested again, and came up with the perfect Spiced Cranberry Hot Smoked Salmon recipe. In a series of unfortunate events, Holly got COVID the week of the special and we had to cancel it. But it’s not all bad news! The recipe was so loved internally that we decided to share it with you. So without further ado, tantalize your tastebuds with the following 5 smoked fish recipes to serve this Thanksgiving.

SPICED CRANBERRY HOT SMOKED SALMON

Holly’s Spiced Cranberry Hot Smoked Salmon is an ideal dish for showcasing the perfect Thanksgiving treatment of smoked salmon. This makes sense because Thanksgiving is one of Holly’s favorite holidays! She used Acme’s signature slow roasted smoked salmon, flavored it with orange zest, brown sugar, and seasonal spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. To top it off, this smoked salmon finger food is paired with a side of sweet brandy cranberry sauce! If you’re looking to add some seafood to your holiday table, or just the appetizer menu, this might just be the dish to pick.

EVERYTHING BAGEL AND SMOKED SALMON STUFFING

To create the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish for those who love smoked salmon and bagels, Holly teamed up with Andrew and Kendall from Acme’s marketing department. All agreed that everything seasoning, crispy bagels bits, salty smoked salmon, and a little onion kick were crucial components to making this dish shine. And did it ever! Holly, Andrew, and Kendall created a dish with a flavor combination that will leave any smoked fish or bagel fan asking for seconds. If you are tired of the same old stuffing recipes year after year, our Everything Bagel and Smoked Salmon Stuffing recipe is definitely one that will stand out. Don’t be surprised if your guests ask you how to make it. Worry not, you don’t have to keep it to yourself!

SABLE MINI SANDWICHES ON RYE WITH APPLE, CRANBERRY, AND DIJON

Holly got to thinking, “How can I take the classic concept of the Thanksgiving leftover sandwich, make it an appetizer for before the big meal, and then put a smoked fish spin on it?” What she came up with was an appetizer with a diverse flavor, but one that definitely brings the delicious taste accents of fall. Holly’s Sable on Rye with Apple, Cranberry, and Dijon mini-sandwiches are the perfect snack for when you are just trying to make it to the big meal without eating too much in anticipation. Our delicate smoked sable is the perfect fish to include in these sandwiches, but this dish is equally delicious with alternatives such as smoked salmon gravlax, smoked sturgeon, or hot smoked salmon. It’s up to you! Really, it’s all about the elegant texture and rich smokiness of whatever smoked fish you choose pairing beautifully with soft mayonnaise, tangy mustard, and the ultimate fall flavor of cranberry. Every taste combines with sweet apples, a few greens, and two mini-slices of rye bread. We all agreed, this is the perfect snack to hold you over until Thanksgiving dinner.

DEVILED EGGS WITH CHOPPED PICKLED HERRING

Deviled eggs are a classic hors d’oeuvre. When Holly, Kendall, and Andrew were putting their heads together – and their aprons on – in the Acme test kitchen, Andrew said, “We’ve got to do Deviled Eggs!” So, they all got to work on putting an Acme spin on a timeless classic. Deviled Eggs with Chopped Pickled Herring ended up being an excellent finger food. Whether you are trying to curb your hunger ahead of dinner or looking to serve something a little different alongside your Thanksgiving feast, this makes for an excellent option. If you want to spice up the recipe even more, don’t be afraid to try our herring in cream sauce, or our matjes herring for a little extra kick.

HONEY MAPLE SMOKED SALMON MINI TART FLAMBEE

The team was a little exhausted after preparing all of these different Thanksgiving options, so all agreed that we should create one appetizer where all of the work is basically done ahead of time. Voilà! Check out our Honey Maple Smoked Salmon Mini Tart Flambee. In this recipe, you are encouraged to purchase pre-made flaky filo dough shells and crème fraiche from your favorite local retailer. Because efficiency is key leading up to Thanksgiving, we would advise that you choose a retailer that also sells Acme Smoked Fish products. Please use our store locator if you are unsure as to where you can purchase Acme products with the rest of your groceries. Regardless, these tasty morsels are filled with caramelized onions, crème fraiche, and honey maple smoked salmon, which come together for the perfect small bite. You can caramelize your onions passively over low heat, giving a quick stir every few minutes while you attend to the more pressing elements of meal prep. Once your onions have been caramelized, and your filo dough shells have been cooked through in the oven, all you need to do is fill the shells with the crème fraiche, caramelized onions, and then top them with the smoked salmon. We suggest a garnish of a little fresh thyme and black pepper, but that’s up to you!

CREATE THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING SMOKED FISH APPETIZER OR SIDE

Holly, Kendall, and Andrew had a lot of fun creating Thanksgiving appetizers and sides in the Acme test kitchen to ensure that you will keep your family and friends well-fed, even before the main course. If you’re looking for any smoked fish products for your Thanksgiving holiday menu, our team at Acme Smoked Fish is ready to assist. You can visit us in person at our weekly Fish Friday retail experience at our Brooklyn headquarters, or visit our Store Locator to find a store near you where Acme products are available. Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you choose to try one of our Thanksgiving-themed dishes this year.