Smoked and Something to Be Thankful For: Smoked Fish Recipes for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving might be famous for its turkey, but at Acme Smoked Fish, we’d argue that it’s all about the sides, and the snacks that get you to dinnertime, that really steal the show. Whether you’re gathering around a formal table or grazing on a spread meant to tide your guests over until supper, smoked fish can bring something special to your holiday celebration.

This year, we’re bringing you smoked fish recipes that fit seamlessly into your Thanksgiving meal plan. From appetizers and salads to savory sides and lighter mains, these dishes reflect the kind of food we love to eat this time of year. Food that’s heartfelt, satisfying, and just unexpected enough to become a new tradition.

Read on for our full menu, as well as a few of our favorite products to work into your meal and even help you snack your way to the main event.

The Thanksgiving Menu, Reimagined with Smoked Fish

Spiced Cranberry Smoked Salmon

Smoked, slow-roasted salmon meets the warming spices of the season: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, all tied together with a homemade cranberry brandy sauce. Cubed and served appetizer-style, this is a finger food dish that brings full fall flavor to smoked salmon.

Everything Bagel & Smoked Salmon Stuffing

Savory stuffing made with bagel pieces, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, and a generous amount of smoked salmon. Brushed with butter and baked until golden, it’s equal parts bagel shop and holiday comfort. Sprinkle with homemade everything seasoning just before serving for that perfect final touch.

German Potato & Cabbage Salad with Mustard Dill Smoked Salmon

Baby potatoes and shredded cabbage get dressed in a smoky paprika vinaigrette and topped with mustard dill smoked salmon. Tangy, hearty, and deeply comforting, it’s a rustic dish that fits right in with roasted root vegetables or stuffing and holds its own as a standalone lunch the next day.

Savory Noodle Kugel with Nova Smoked Salmon

Think of this as the savory, smoky cousin to baked mac and cheese. Egg noodles are folded into a rich cheese custard, layered with sautéed onions and garlic, and topped with silky smoked salmon. A great side dish, brunch option, or main course for the pescatarians at the table.

Herring & Dill Potato Salad with Crispy Shallots

This bright and briny potato salad is built on a zesty lemon-dijon vinaigrette, fried shallots, and buttery dill herring. The texture and flavor contrast created by luscious soft-boiled eggs, a crunchy topping, tangy pickles, perfectly cooked potatoes, and savory herring makes it a welcome addition to your Thanksgiving table or leftovers lineup.

Smoked Salmon, Kale, and Chickpea Salad

A fall-forward salad that pulls its weight. Roasted chickpeas, shredded carrots, cucumber, and feta sit atop kale massaged with honey vinaigrette. It’s wholesome and satisfying, especially when topped with mustard dill smoked salmon. Serve it as a light lunch before the big meal or the next day when greens sound good again.

Teriyaki Smoked Salmon with Garlicky Green Beans

Need a last-minute vegetable side with a twist? This stir-fried green bean dish comes together in under 20 minutes. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes create an umami-rich base, while fillets of teriyaki smoked salmon add just the right amount of smoky-sweet flavor. 

For the Snackers and Grazers: Smoked Fish Favorites for All-Day Hosting

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the big meal. It’s about the lead-up, the in-between, and the leftovers. That’s where these next products shine, whether as a finger food, an option to swap with a smoked fish in a recipe above, or a palate cleanser for the day after. Set them out for brunch, happy hour, or whenever someone wanders into the kitchen “just to check” on dinner.

• 3 oz. Sesame Crusted Smoked Ahi Tuna
  Already sliced and ready to serve. This smoked tuna is brushed with sesame oil and seed-crusted, making it ideal for rice bowls, salads, or eaten straight from the pack. A premium snack to tide guests over.

• 3 oz. Smoked Ahi Spicy Tuna
  Spicy, smoky, and downright snackable. Serve this in hand rolls as a pre-dinner appetizer, mix it into rice balls for the next day’s light lunch, or let people snack away so they stay away from the turkey as it rests.

• 3 oz. Smoked Salmon Candy
  Sweet, smoky, and finger-food-friendly. This Pacific Northwest-inspired treat is great on its own or paired with fruit and cheese on your appetizer board.

• 4 oz. Kansas City BBQ Smoked Salmon
  Hot smoked and BBQ-seasoned, this is a smoky, savory seafood take on Kansas City BBQ (or smoked holiday ham). Use it in sliders, flake it over biscuits, or eat it warm with a side of cornbread.

• 4 oz. Lemon Garlic Smoked Salmon
  Bright and aromatic, this one’s great for layering on rye crisps, tossing into grain salads, or folding into whipped cream cheese for a spread that sings.

• 7 oz. Smoked Fish Dip
  A creamy, smoky, tangy spread packed with whitefish, mahi, and spices. Perfect with crackers, endive leaves, or spooned right onto a bagel.

• 7 oz. Baked Salmon Salad
  Decadent, savory, and always holiday appropriate. Serve with crackers, celery sticks, or chips and send your guests to watch football (and stay out of the kitchen).

• 7 oz. Smoked Whitefish Salad
  A classic for a reason. This creamy salad works just as well on a piece of toasted challah or a bagel as it does on your smoked fish appetizer board. Try it on cucumber rounds with a couple of capers and a sprig of dill for an elegant and easy finger food.

• 3 oz. Wild Alaskan Sockeye Smoked Salmon
  Lean and bold with a vibrant, natural color, this wild-caught sockeye makes a stunning statement on any Thanksgiving appetizer spread or brunch the next day.

• 4 oz. Scottish-Style Smoked Salmon
  Double-smoked for rich depth, this classic Scottish-style smoked salmon is best served simply, with thinly sliced onions, lemon wedges, and pumpernickel toasts.

Hosting with Heart (and Less Stress)

We say it every year, but it bears repeating, Thanksgiving should be delicious, not overwhelming. These smoked fish recipes and ready-to-serve products are designed to take the pressure off and let you focus on what matters most, being present, eating well, and enjoying the company of the people you’re thankful for.

Whether you’re serving up a board, a side dish, or a full-on feast, we hope Acme Smoked Fish finds its way onto your table this season.

Happy Thanksgiving, from all of us at Acme.