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Lox Bagel
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Lox Bagel

This classic lox bagel recipe features the perfect blend of creamy cream cheese, savory lox, fresh vegetables, and a chewy bagel. It's a quick and delightful breakfast, brunch, or light lunch option that embodies the essence of deli-style comfort food.
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine American, Jewish-inspired
Keyword Easy Breakfast, Lox Bagel
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 400kcal
Cost $15 - $20

Equipment

  • Serrated knife
  • Small mixing bowl (optional, for cream cheese variations)
  • Cutting board
  • Butter knife

Ingredients

For the Bagel

  • 2 Large bagels (preferably plain, sesame, or everything bagels; sliced horizontally and toasted)
  • 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature for easier spreading; plain or flavored)

For the Toppings

  • 4 4 oz lox (or smoked salmon slices)
  • ½ Small red onion (thinly sliced into rings)
  • 1 Small tomato (sliced thinly)
  • ¼ cup Cucumber (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tbsp Capers (rinsed and drained)
  • ½ cup Mixed greens or arugula (optional, for added freshness)
  • ¼ tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Toast the Bagels

  • Slice the bagels horizontally using a serrated knife and lightly toast them to your preferred crispness.

Prepare the Cream Cheese

  • While the bagels are toasting, soften the cream cheese. If desired, mix in fresh herbs like dill or chives for an extra burst of flavor.

Assemble the Lox Bagel

  • Spread a generous layer of cream cheese on each half of the toasted bagel.
  • Lay the lox slices evenly over the cream cheese.
  • Arrange the red onion rings, tomato slices, cucumber, and capers over the lox.
  • Add a handful of mixed greens or arugula for a fresh, vibrant touch.

Season and Serve

  • Sprinkle black pepper lightly over the toppings for added flavor.
  • Place the bagel halves together or serve them open-faced for a stylish presentation.

Notes

  • Bagel Selection: Traditional choices like plain, sesame, or everything bagels complement the lox well. Feel free to experiment with flavored bagels for a twist.
  • Lox vs. Smoked Salmon: Lox is salt-cured salmon, whereas smoked salmon is cured and smoked. Both work well, but lox offers a more authentic taste for this dish.
  • Cream Cheese Variations: Beyond plain cream cheese, try options like scallion, garlic herb, or even a whipped cream cheese for a lighter texture.
  • Substitutions: If capers aren’t your favorite, substitute with a small splash of lemon juice or thinly sliced pickles for acidity.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free bagels to make this recipe celiac-friendly.

Helpful Tips:

  • Use a sharp knife for slicing the lox, vegetables, and bagel cleanly.
  • To achieve paper-thin slices of onion, use a mandoline slicer for precision.
  • If preparing for a crowd, arrange all toppings buffet-style so guests can customize their own bagels.
Enjoy this delightful Lox Bagel that’s packed with flavor, perfect for a satisfying morning meal or midday treat!