Smoked Trout Salad with Potatoes and Horseradish Dressing
Why this recipe works
- Smoky, sharp and creamy: Smoked trout brings savoury depth, while horseradish, lemon and crème fraîche create a dressing with brightness and bite.
- Good texture in every bite: Soft potatoes, crisp cucumber, sliced red onion and chunky trout keep the salad varied rather than heavy.
- Flexible serving temperature: It works chilled or at room temperature, making it practical for lunch, picnics or a simple make-ahead meal.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Cool the potatoes briefly: Let the potatoes cool until just warm before dressing; they will take on flavour without breaking down.
- Serve chilled or room temperature: If chilled, stir gently and refresh with lemon juice and black pepper just before serving.
Make-ahead tips
- Prepare components ahead: The potatoes and dressing can be prepared in advance, then combined with the cucumber, herbs and trout closer to serving.
- Keep the trout chunky: For the neatest texture, fold in the smoked trout shortly before serving rather than mixing it too early.
Ingredient swaps
- For a lighter dressing: Greek yoghurt can replace crème fraîche for a tangier, less rich finish.
- For gentler heat: Dijon mustard can stand in for horseradish if you prefer a softer, less pungent dressing.
- Alternative herb: Fresh chives work well in place of dill for a milder onion-like note.
Ingredient notes
- Choose ready-to-eat trout: Use smoked trout that is clearly labelled ready-to-eat and keep it properly chilled, especially for anyone pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised.
- Check for bones: Flake the trout into large pieces and remove any skin or pin bones before folding it through the salad.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and add 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Drain well in a colander and leave to cool for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the crème fraiche with the horseradish. Finely grate in a little lemon zest, then squeeze in 2 tbsp lemon juice. Season with the remaining salt and the black pepper.
- Thinly slice the red onion, halve the potatoes if large, and slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the fresh dill. Add the potatoes, onion, cucumber and dill to the bowl and fold through the dressing.
- Flake the smoked trout into large pieces, discarding any skin and pin bones, then gently fold it through so it stays chunky. Taste and add a little more lemon juice if you want it brighter. Chill for 10 minutes, or serve at room temperature.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best texture, let the potatoes cool until just warm before mixing so they absorb the dressing without turning mushy.
- If serving chilled, cover and refrigerate for 10 to 20 minutes, then stir gently and re-season with lemon juice and black pepper just before serving.
- If you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, choose smoked trout that is clearly labelled ready-to-eat and keep it properly chilled.
Substitutions
- Replace Crème fraiche with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Replace Horseradish with Dijon mustard for a gentler heat.
- Replace Fresh dill with fresh chives for a milder, oniony finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Serve cold or let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes; stir gently to avoid breaking up the smoked trout.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 45min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: German
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Allergens:
Fish Milk
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