I called this my ULTIMATE salmon sandwich. Why? Because it uses two types of salmon: fresh and smoked. Dilled sour cream adds creaminess and black caviar a salty pop.
Don’t forget the brioche bun. Easy gourmet at home.
Salmon Sandwich
This Salmon Sandwich is going to be the fanciest sandwich you ever sink your teeth into. Not one, but two types of salmon with caviar. Most are just two slices of bread filled with salmon salad or grilled salmon. This one is different.
I originally had this sandwich at Duesenberg’s, a cafe in Baltimore. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I had to make it at home. It was an elevated salmon burger (not to say that our salmon burgers aren’t positively amazing!)
When I first ordered it, I was skeptical, I’ll admit it. Now I crave it. But what makes this one different is that it is made with a fresh salmon filet instead of canned fish.
Ingredients
Believe it or not, you should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.
- Sour cream – This is the base for our sauce. The cool sour cream adds a creaminess to this salmon sandwich.
- Fresh dill – You want this to be roughly chopped. Try to use fresh dill, but dried can be used in a pinch.
- Lemon juice – I always prefer to use fresh lemon juice instead of the bottled variety. The taste is more pungent.
- Dash of hot sauce – You can certainly leave this out, but the hot sauce adds a zing to the sauce that really sends it over the top.
- Fresh Salmon filets – Make sure your salmon filets have no skin, or just be sure to remove the skin after cooking.
- Smoked salmon – In addition to the fresh, we add smoked salmon to give another texture and flavor to this sandwich.
- Brioche rolls – Just another way for me to make this the “ultimate” sandwich. Brioche adds even more luxury and sophistication into the mix.
- Black caviar – Yes, caviar is a pricier ingredient, but not all of it is super expensive. You can often times find a jar at the grocery store for about $10.
- Fine sea salt and pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper and fine sea salt round out the flavors of this sandwich.
Two Types of Salmon: Fresh & Smoked
Why use two types of salmon? Because fresh salmon and smoked have two very distinct flavors and textures. fresh salmon, if cooked properly to medium, will be silky and soft, while smoked salmon will be oily and robust.
It is easily pan fried to medium rare, but you can cook a little longer if you don’t like it slightly raw.
They complement each other wonderfully. Dilled sour cream adds a creamy accompaniment and caviar the saltiness we all crave with a “pop” in each bite.
Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
Stop thinking that caviar is beyond your reach. Have you ever tried it? Sure there is the uber expensive beluga caviar costing thousands of dollars per tin.
Can you hear the voice of Robin Leach announcing this delicacy on the The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Well there is that type of caviar and then there is the poor person’s blend.
You know, the type you and I can find at the regular grocery store. And afford without a loan.
This type of caviar will only set you back about $10. Sure that is a lot for a salmon sandwich, but beleive me, it makes the dish. And then you get to tout all about your fancy caviar to all your friends on Instagram and Facebook (don’t forget to tag us or use hashtag #savoryexperiments!)
Caviar Taste
Caviar doesn’t taste “fishy”, but rather salty with a little pop.
Do you eat sushi? You know the little orange balls that grace your rolls from time to time? That is Tobiko, also known as flying fish roe, and it is a cheaper type of caviar as well.
I like serving my Salmon Sandwich on a soft buttery brioche roll. Hard, crusty bread just tears apart the salmon (and my mouth).
These are homemade, but feel free to find them at the grocery store or bakery. They are a lot of work. But man, you can’t beat the taste and texture of a real brioche roll.
How to Make a Salmon Sandwich
As fancy as it is, this sandwich is actually super easy to make!
- Make dill sauce. In a small mixing bowl combine sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice and hot sauce. Set aside.
- Prepare pan and salmon. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove raw salmon from packaging, rinse, pat dry and season both sides with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook salmon covered for a couple minutes on each side. Salmon can be cooked and served medium to medium rare.
- Divide salmon into four pieces. Remove salmon and divide into four equal 4-ounce pieces.
- Assemble the sandwich by cutting each roll in half. Divide both types of salmon evenly among each brioche roll. On the top half of the rolls smear dilled sour cream spread and black caviar. Top and enjoy!
Variations
There are plenty of ways for you to make this salmon sandwich recipe your own. Here are a few suggestions.
- Sauce – Instead of the dill lemon sauce we used here, you can use a tartar sauce, dijon mustard or even mayonnaise to simplify things a bit.
- Veggies – Try topping your sandwich with some vegetables. Lettuce, tomatoes, arugula or red onion would be great.
- Buns – Instead of brioche buns, you could use regular hamburger buns, toast made from your favorite bread, or just eat it with a fork and no bun!
- Cooking method – Instead of cooking the salmon fillets on the stove, you could bake them in the oven instead.
What to Serve with Ultimate Salmon Sandwich
You can serve this sandwich with just about any side dish you’d like to. Some of my favorite sides to serve with this fish sandwich are potato salad, french fries or even baked potatoes.
If you’re trying to stay on the healthier side, try serving with a vegetable side dish. Broccoli, green beans or carrots are always good ideas.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Salmon Sandwich
You can store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep the bun and sauce separate until the next day when you’re ready to eat it.
Can I Freeze Leftover Salmon?
Raw salmon can be frozen and in all honesty, has probably previously been frozen before you even bought it.
Freezing fish isn’t the worst thing, in fact it is known to kill some bacteria that could possibly be harmful. (Not all bacteria and you still need to make sure it is handled and cooked properly).
More Salmon Recipes
Salmon is one of my favorite fishes because you can prepare it in so many ways. Here are a few of our favorite salmon recipes.
Ranch Salmon
Salmon Croquettes Recipe
Asiago Mushroom Salmon
Salmon Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Dash of hot sauce
- 16 ounces of salmon filets no skin (or remove skin after cooking)
- 6 ounces smoked salmon
- 4 large brioche rolls
- 2 tablespoons black caviar
- Fine sea salt and pepper
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl combine sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice and hot sauce. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove raw salmon from packaging, rinse, pat dry and season both sides with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook salmon covered for 2 minutes on each side. Salmon can be cooked and served medium to medium rare. If you prefer a well done version or your filet is thicker than 1/2 inch, cook for an additional minute on each side. Cooking times will vary.
- Remove salmon and divide into 4 equal 4-ounce pieces.
- Assemble the sandwich by cutting each roll in half. Divide both types of salmon evenly among each brioche roll. On the top half of the rolls smear dilled sour cream spread and 1/2 tablespoon black caviar. Top and enjoy!
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Nutrition
This sandwich looks AMAZING! LOVE anything with smoked salmon on or in it. – Throw in some dill and lemon and I am in hell!
I am lucky to live in a place where I get fresh salmon all the time so I can’t wait to make this sandwich!! Yum!
I love this! Such a perfect salmon recipe!
I love anything with salmon! This sandwich sounds so good, can’t wait to make it
The combination of the smoked salmon with the cooked salmon filet is pure decadence! The caviar really elevates this dish to something special!