Acme's Holiday Hosting Guide

Smoked, Spiced, and Ready to Entertain: Your Holiday Hosting Guide

The stretch from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is one of our favorite times of year to entertain. It’s a season full of reasons to gather. At Acme, we look forward to holiday dinners, cocktail parties, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve toasts, and New Year's Day brunches all year long, and we do because of one simple truth. The best gatherings start with good food, thoughtfully prepared, beautifully served, and unfussy in the best possible way.

At Acme Smoked Fish, we believe in making meals that are both memorable and manageable. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of tips and smoked fish recipes designed to make your holiday hosting feel effortless, whether you’re planning an elegant sit-down dinner or a casual celebration with friends. And yes, there’s even a way to sneak in a little holiday spice with your smoked salmon.

Start with a Showstopper Smoked Fish Board

The Recipe: Smoked Salmon Candy Tart

Every good gathering begins with a beautiful board, and smoked fish is our centerpiece of choice. Arrange a selection of smoked salmon, smoked tuna, gravlax smoked salmon, and smoked whitefish salad alongside pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and festive garnishes like pomegranate seeds or sliced figs, add a few toasted bagel chips or rye crisps, and let your guests graze and mingle.

The Recipe: Smoked Salmon Sea-Cuterie Wreath

Hosting Hack: Turn your board into a wreath. A circular arrangement of smoked salmon slices, tucked in with dill sprigs, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber ribbons, transforms your table into an edible centerpiece.

A Holiday Bite with a Kick: Smoked Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls

The Recipe: Spicy Smoked Tuna Hand Roll

Every host needs a signature, and this year, ours is Acme’s 3 oz. Spicy Smoked Tuna. It’s bold, smoky, and seasoned with a chili garlic spice blend that adds just the right amount of heat. Serve it in a DIY hand roll form for an interactive starter that’s as elegant as it is fun.

The Recipe: Spicy Smoked Tuna Hand Roll

Hosting Hack: Set out small bowls of sushi rice, nori sheets, sliced avocado, scallions, sesame seeds, and our spicy smoked tuna. Encourage guests to roll their own, no sushi mat required! It’s a conversation starter, an activity, and a crowd-pleaser.

Something Savory, Something Sweet

Balancing the table with contrasting flavors and textures is the key to an elevated spread.

• Smoked Salmon and Latkes: A Hanukkah essential. Crispy potato pancakes topped with crème fraîche, capers, red onion, and your favorite smoked salmon, classic or pastrami-spiced, host’s choice.
• Smoked Salmon Citrus Carpaccio: Thinly sliced smoked salmon paired with blood orange, grapefruit, and a touch of sea salt. Bright, light, and refreshing.
• Marinated Melon with Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese: A surprising pairing that’s elegant, sweet, and effortless. Perfect for a Christmas brunch or New Year’s Day open house.

Keep the Kitchen Calm: Prep-Ahead Favorites

The best hosts are relaxed hosts. Choose dishes that can be prepared in advance and simply plated or warmed before serving.

• Swedish Style Gravlax Plate: Smoked salmon, mustard-dill sauce, and crisp greens. Assemble just before guests arrive.
• Deviled Eggs with Pickled Herring: Make ahead and chill. The herring adds a twist your guests won’t forget.
• Smoked Whitefish Cakes: Prep and chill the night before, then pan-fry to golden perfection when ready to serve.

Make It Personal (and a Little Traditional)

The most memorable gatherings honor personal traditions. Serve that family stuffing recipe but add a twist by making it our Everything Bagel and Smoked Salmon Stuffing. Or you can riff on the Feast of the Seven Fishes by including a few smoked fish options, like hot smoked salmon, sable, or even a pickled herring canapé.

Set the Mood, Pour the Bubbles

Ambiance matters. Dim the lights, light some candles, and put on your favorite smooth jazz or holiday playlist. A glass of chilled white wine or festive punch pairs beautifully with smoked fish, while sparkling cider or tea can round out a cozy afternoon gathering.

Celebrate with Confidence

Whether it’s your first time hosting or your fifteenth, the holidays are about joy, connection, and savoring the moment. When you serve Acme Smoked Fish, you’re offering more than just a dish, you’re sharing a story, a craft, and a piece of something timeless.

From all of us at Acme, we wish you a season full of flavor, festivity, and the kind of meals people remember.