Smoked Salmon Terrine is an elegant appetizer that layers creamy, savory ingredients into a beautifully presented dish. It’s a perfect choice for Christmas and other special occasions. For more refined starters, take a look at my collection of appetizer recipes.
So, if you want to look like a superstar chef with just a little effort, try this terrine recipe. Whether you make it as the star appetiser at your Christmas party or a weekend treat, this smoked salmon recipe is an absolute must!
Salmon terrine recipe
Making salmon terrines is like creating a delicious work of food art. Serve this at a party and leave guests breathless, first with its knockout looks, then with its rich, delectable taste.
How to make smoked salmon terrine
A parcel with cold smoked salmon slices on the outside and a mouth-watering mixture of cream cheese, crème fraîche, wholegrain mustard and chopped up hot smoked salmon, terrine of smoked salmon is as classy as it is delicious.
Don't tell guests that it only took a few easy steps to create this smoked salmon starter.
Products you'll need to make this recipe
There are a few essential items and ingredients that you'll need when it comes to making this recipe.
- Mixing bowl and whisk – you'll need to whisk up your cream cheese mixture.
- Food processor – using a food processor to blitz up the salmon saves having to finely chop it by hand.
- Cling film – you'll need to line the loaf tin with film, to shape this terrine.
- Loaf tin – the terrine is set in a loaf tin, to produces its eye-catching shape.
Ingredients you'll need to makes this recipe
- Gelatine sheets – this helps to set the creamy smoked salmon filling.
- Dill – grow your own fresh dill at home! It gives a beautiful unique flavour that sits perfectly with this terrine. If you can't get fresh, dried dill is just as good.
- Smoked salmon – try and get the best quality ingredients for this recipe. You can use hot smoked salmon in the filling to give you a deep, smoky flavour that tastes divine.
- Wholegrain mustard – mustard makes a great flavour combination with hot smoked salmon.
- Lime juice – if you can't find fresh limes, this lime juice is the next best thing. You can also use lemon juice.
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How long can you keep terrine?
You can store terrine in the fridge for up to 4 days, although you'd do well to not devour it within 4 hours.
What is the difference between pâté and terrine?
Pâté is usually made from liver (duck, chicken, fish and pork are common) and is normally a lot finer in texture than terrine.
Also, pâté can be made into any shape or size. Pssst, check out this chicken liver pate!
A terrine is characterised by its distinctive shape – it is always made in a loaf tin. Terrines can be made from lots of different types of meat, from pork and lamb to duck and, of course, salmon. You can also add a layer of puff pastry to the outside of a terrine.
What do you eat with terrine?
The best thing to serve with this amazing terrine is a light, healthy, leafy salad.
Other smoked salmon recipes
- Smoked salmon pate – a timeless classic that's cheap, fresh and easy, and tastes a million times better than the stuff you buy in the shops.
- Hot smoked salmon – making your own hot smoked salmon is something everyone should try.
- Smoked salmon salad with beetroot – quick and easy lunches just don't get better than this.
- Watercress salad with smoked salmon, blue cheese, pear and walnuts – a healthy and easy salad that tastes amazing.
How did your terrine turn out? Let me know in the comments below!
Print📖 Recipe
Smoked Salmon Terrine
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Smoked salmon terrine comprises a creamy filling wrapped in smoked salmon slices. A perfect smoked salmon starter for Christmas. Serve with salad and crackers.
Ingredients
- 4 sheets leaf gelatine
- 400g (14 oz) smoked salmon slices
- 300g (11 oz) cream cheese
- 120ml (4 fl oz) crème fraîche
- 30ml (2 tbsp) wholegrain mustard
- handful of dill, finely chopped [optional]
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Soak the gelatine in a little bit of water in a small bowl until softened.
- Meanwhile, line a 450g/1lb loaf pan or terrine with clear film (plastic wrap). Use some of the smoked salmon to line the pan, laying the slices widthways across the base and up the sides and leaving enough hanging over the edge to fold over the top of the filling.
- Set aside enough of the remaining smoked salmon to make a middle layer the length of the pan. Chop the rest finely by hand or in a food processor. Take care not to over-process the salmon; it must not form a paste.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, crème fraîche, mustard and dill until well combined. Scrape in the chopped salmon and mix with a rubber spatula or a spoon until well combined.
- Squeeze out the gelatine and put the sheets in a small, heavy pan. Add the lime juice. Place over a low heat until the gelatin has melted, cool slightly, then stir into the salmon mixture.
- Spoon half the mixture into the lines pan. Lay the reserved smoked salmon sliced on the mixture along the length of the pan, then spoon on the rest of the filling and smooth the top.
- Tap the pan on the surface to expel any trapped air. Fold over the overhanging salmon slices to cover the top. Cover the whole pan with clear film and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, preferably 6-8 hours.
Notes
- Serve with a lightly dressed leafy salad.
- Powdered gelatin can be used instead of the sheets. Substitute 15ml (1 tbsp) powdered gelatin. Sprinkle it over the cold water in a heatproof bowl then set aside until spongy. Place the bowl over simmering water until the gelatine has liquefied completely before adding it to the terrine mixture.
- If you can't get hold of dill, you can substitute it with chives.
- Dijon mustard is an acceptable alternative to wholegrain mustard.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Starter
- Method: Chill
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: A thick slice
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 164.2 mg
- Fat: 21.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 11.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 15.1 g
- Cholesterol: 83.7 mg
Suzanne
I made this for a dinner group and it was easy to prepare, delightful and tasty - and a party pleaser to boot! Looked beautiful too. Served it with micro greens, extra dill, lemon, guacamole, and melba toast. Will definitely recommend this recipe.
Fran
The cream cheese and crème fraîche really brings a coolness to the smoky salmon in this recipe. Absolutely beautiful!
Michelle Minnaar
Thanks Fran! Cream cheese goes fantastically well with Salmon.
Renil M. George
You can smoke salmon terrine? What a terrific idea!
Julie
Hi , I've just made this to the recipe but added asparagus running down the middle,
It's a Christmas for my family & it looks fantastic I only hope it taste the same.
Michelle
Thanks for letting me know, Julie. Did you like it? 🙂
Michelle
Lisa: Smoked salmon on its own you can definitely freeze. My initial reaction was that you can't freeze this terrine but looking around on the web I found that some shop-bought ones can! So there's really nothing stopping you. Please let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Lisa
Would you be able to freeze this?
Tara berry
I want it!
Janet
Easy to do -looks and tastes impressive but rich in texture so dont spoil it by serving too large a portion
Sean
Nice, but its not a terrine. Terrine always has course cut ingredients like chicken, pork, nuts etc, bound by a forcemeat and cooked.
What you have above is glorified salmon and cream cheese, but love the idea!
Elizabeth F.
This is just beautiful! Nice job!
Egle
Looks very elegant. Classic dish withi a hint of minimalis - the best way to imprees your guests 😉
Cookie
What a beautiful presentation! It's almost too pretty to eat but I bet it's yummy!
The Duo Dishes
Very sophisticated! Impress all of your friends with your skills. 🙂