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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Salads

    Updated: May 14, 2024 · Published: Mar 17, 2021 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    Smoked salmon pasta salad in dish with wooden spoon.
    Smoked salmon pasta salad in black dish with text overlay.

    This smoked salmon pasta salad has it all when it comes to flavor and texture with the addition of mandarin oranges, celery and capers. It's smoky, citrusy and crunchy! It's a meatier, brighter, and more flavored version of the average pasta salad; and best of all, it takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.

    Smoked salmon pasta salad in a dark bowl with a wooden spoon and off-white dish cloth.

    This delicious side dish combines the smoky saltiness of the salmon, the tart sweetness of the mandarin oranges, the fresh crunch of the celery, the filling pasta of your choice, and the earthy herbs to enhance the fresh taste.

    You might also like my other pasta salads including this creamy tuna pasta salad, cold taco pasta salad, dill pickle pasta salad and caprese pasta salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Difference Between Hot-Smoked and Cold-Smoked Salmon
    • How to Make Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
    • Tips
    • Storage
    • More Delicious Seafood Recipes to Consider
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    • dry penne pasta - You can swap out the penne for whatever short-pasta you have on hand such as Fusilli, elbow, rotini or bowtie.
    • hot-smoked salmon - The flaky kind. Read more about hot smoked salmon further down.
    • mandarin oranges - The salad may be salty with its smoked salmon and capers, but the salad breaks the saltiness down with citrus fruit like lemon juice and mandarin oranges. If you want a fruit that is similar to mandarin oranges but with a sweeter taste, I recommend clementines. They are honey-sweet, a tad sour, seedless (less hassle for you), and are related to mandarins.
    • celery - For some crunch!
    • capers - Capers and salmon are a classic combination. They add a nice pop of briny flavor.
    • mayonnaise - This pasta salad uses mayo to help bind the ingredients together. If you wish to use an alternative ingredient similar to mayo to bind them, Greek yogurt or sour cream have a similar creamy and tangy taste.
    • lemon juice - Freshly squeezed.
    • fresh dill - You can substitute with dried dill (but use less).
    • chives - To garnish.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    Difference Between Hot-Smoked and Cold-Smoked Salmon

    The reason my recipe specifies hot-smoked salmon is because hot-smoked salmon and cold-smoked salmon have different tastes and textures due to their unique processes.

    Both of them are cured, rinsed and smoked. However, the cold-smoked version is cured in salt to draw out the moisture and is smoked around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

    On the other hand, hot-smoked is cured using salt water or wet brine and smoked at a higher temperature of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Because of these differences, the cold version has a silky texture and fresh taste (which is great on bagels and crackers), while the hot version is flakier and tastes smokier. The hot-smoked version is what I use in this salad for its flakier texture and smokiness.

    How to Make Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

    The flavors may be layered, but the process is easy. Here are three simple steps to make this smoked salmon salad:

    1. Cook pasta. Prepare pasta al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
    2. Mix together. Mix all ingredients (except for the chives) with the pasta in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    3. Chill and serve. You can serve the pasta salad right away or chill in the refrigerator for later (1 to 2 hours). When ready to serve, top with chives.
    Smoked salmon pasta salad in a black bowl with a wooden spoon.

    Tips

    • For the best texture, be sure to cook the pasta until just al dente and then immediately rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process. There is nothing worse than a mushy pasta salad.
    • Instead of a side dish, you may want to serve this as a hot smoked salmon pasta lunch or dinner. To do this, simply serve it right away without chilling the ingredients and don't rinse the pasta with cool water.

    Storage

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

    Smoked salmon pasta salad with mandarin oranges and capers in black dish.

    More Delicious Seafood Recipes to Consider

    • Ceviche on yellow plate.
      How to Make Ceviche (Step by Step)
    • Chickpea and salmon salad in bowl with lemon slices.
      Easy Chickpea Salmon Salad
    • Bacon wrapped scallops with parsley on blue plate.
      Bacon Wrapped Scallops (Oven)
    • Golden fish sticks in ramekin.
      Fish Sticks with Sweet Mayo

    Do you like it served warm or cold? If you tried this Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Smoked salmon pasta salad in black dish.

    Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe

    Joss Dyckson
    This smoked salmon pasta salad has it all when it comes to flavor and texture with the addition of mandarin oranges, celery and capers. It's smoky, citrusy and crunchy!
    5 from 8 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 309 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups dry penne pasta - or other short pasta of your choice
    • 2 cups hot-smoked salmon - the flaky kind--broken into chunks
    • ½ cup mandarin oranges - peeled and separated
    • ½ cup celery - diced
    • ¼ cup capers
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice - or to taste
    • 3 tablespoons fresh dill - chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
    • ¼ cup chives - finely chopped
    • salt and pepper - to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare pasta al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
    • Mix all ingredients (except for the chives) with the pasta in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    • You can serve the pasta salad right away or chill in the refrigerator for later (1 to 2 hours). When ready to serve, top with chives.

    Notes

    • Some more pasta choices include Fusilli, elbow, rotini or bowtie.
    • For the best texture, be sure to cook the pasta until just al dente and then immediately rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.
    • Instead of a side dish, you may want to serve this as a pasta lunch or dinner. To do this, simply serve it right away without chilling the ingredients and don't rinse the pasta with cool water.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 17gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 944mgPotassium: 352mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1162IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

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    Comments

      5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sabrina says

      May 03, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      This is really tasty! The oranges are a bright and light twist along with the herbs. Definitely a winner, thanks!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        May 10, 2021 at 2:41 pm

        Thanks Sabrina!

        Reply
    2. Terri Gilson says

      May 03, 2021 at 7:30 am

      I love my salmon pasta HOT! Although, I would not turn this down cold either. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        May 05, 2021 at 12:50 pm

        Either way works for me. Thanks Terri!

        Reply
    3. Sharon says

      May 02, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      I'm a BC girl so smoked salmon is my jam! This pasta is DELISH. Thanks so much. 🙂

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        May 03, 2021 at 7:15 pm

        Thank you Sharon! I love BC!

        Reply
    4. Lisa says

      May 01, 2021 at 2:00 am

      Love smoked salmon! I'm all for non-boring salads and this looks like it satisfies! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        May 02, 2021 at 10:20 am

        Thank you Lisa!

        Reply
    5. Elaine Nessman says

      April 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      We're big fans of hot-smoked salmon here and smoke our own. This pasta salad is a fabulous way to enjoy smoke salmon. Perfect for spring and summer dinners!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        April 30, 2021 at 11:19 am

        Thanks Elaine. Even better that you smoke your own!

        Reply
    6. Amyg says

      April 27, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      Love the idea of salmon and pasta. Especially love that you can use already prepared smoked salmon for a quick dinner. Pinned for later.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        April 28, 2021 at 10:31 am

        Thanks Amy!

        Reply
    7. Colleen says

      April 27, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      We love smoked salmon and this pasta salad looks delicious and also quick and easy to make. Definitely trying this one!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        April 27, 2021 at 5:26 pm

        Thank you Colleen! It is definitely quick and easy, tasty as well. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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