Smoked Salmon Roulade

Smoked salmon filled with cream cheese, sour cream, and fresh dill rolled and shaped into flowers.

Published Apr 21, 2025

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Smoked Salmon Roulade is a beautiful starter for any occasion and so easy to prepare in advance.

Smoked salmoni rolls shaped like flowers with cream cheese centers are arranged on a wooden board. Green onions and basil leaves form stems and leaves. A lemon and a heart-shaped bowl are nearby.

It’s an exciting dish featuring a delicious creamy filling made with cream cheese, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and chopped fresh dill, which pairs well with the salty, smoked salmon.

Recipe Tip

Like my Smoked Salmon Dip Bites and Cucumber Salmon Rolls, this is the perfect recipe to serve at a dinner party or with a green salad for lunch.

The secret to the flower shape is to roll the roulade twice. The first time just with cling film, and the second time, roll it with four spaced-out chopping sticks. Stick it in the freezer to firm up, slice it, and serve with green onion-wrapped skewers and basil leaves for a show-stopping display.

Smoked Salmon Roulade Ingredients

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!

Smoked salmon: Look for good quality smoked salmon, ideally in large slices, to make rolling easier.
Cream cheese: I use a full-fat cream cheese. Swap for a herby cream cheese if you’d like a bolder flavor.
Sour cream: This adds a tart, creamy lightness to the filling.
Lemon juice: I use the juice of a whole lemon for this recipe for that zesty, fresh taste. You can add finely grated zest if you like.
Fresh herbs: Add fresh dill to the filling for a bright, citrusy flavor. And fresh basil works perfectly as leaves to garnish.

How to Make A Smoked Salmon Roulade Instructions

Hands arranging overlapping slices of smoked salmon on a cling film surface.

Arrange the smoked salmon slices on a piece of cling film.

A knife spreads a layer of herb cream cheese over a layer of smoked salmon, creating smooth, textured lines.

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Season well and spread out the filling onto the smoked salmon.

Hands roll plastic wrap around a Smoked Salmon Roulade.

Roll it tightly.

Hands wrapping a piece of smoked salmon in plastic wrap lined with chopsticks.

Roll the roulade with another layer of cling film lined with spaced-out chopping sticks. Freeze for 1 hour.

A hand holds a rolled appetizer with cream filling above a cutting board topped with green onion stalks and similar smoked salmon roulade appetizers.

Assemble: Slice the roulade and arrange it onto a platter. Slide green onion stems onto skewers. Insert the skewers into the smoked salmon flowers and garnish with basil leaves!

Tips for Success

Freeze the roulade for about 1 hour to make it easier to slice.
Wash the knife between slices for a clean cut.
Store the slices in the freezer until serving (keep them at room temperature 1 hour before serving).
Use a large platter or chopping board for plating. Arrange the roulade slices at one end and insert the green onion ‘stem’ skewers. Decorate with fresh basil leaves.

Possible Variations

Smoked salmon: No substitute for salmon.
Cream cheese: Try a herb or garlic-flavoured cream cheese, goat cheese, or similar.
Sour cream: Creme fraiche or full-fat Greek yogurt.
Lemon juice: Lime juice.
Fresh herbs: Chives, parsley, or green onions.

How to Store Leftovers

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy within 2 days.

FAQs

Can I make the Smoked Salmon Roulade ahead of time?

Definitely! Prep the roulade and place it in the freezer for 1 hour, then take it out and slice it. Stick the slices back in the freezer. They will need an hour to thaw before you serve it.

How do I serve the Roulade?

Cut it into flower slices as I have done, or slice it plain (omit the chopping sticks when rolling it up). You can also arrange the whole roulade on a bed of arugula and decorate the top with dollops of creme fraiche (sour cream), thin slices of lemon, and chopped pistachio (maybe even a few edible flowers if you’re really trying to impress someone). In this case, you can store it in the fridge until serving.