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The appetizer, French classic

Salmon rillettes on toasts

Salmon rillettes on toasts are a classic French appetizer for 6 that blends cooked and smoked salmon with lemony cream cheese. They take 25 minutes of active work and are made entirely the day before, which lets the texture firm up in the fridge. The recipe is very easy, costs €1.80 per person, and its success relies on balancing the mild cooked salmon against the bolder smoked one.

Fresh, lemony salmon rillettes to spread on a crisp toast, a classic that always wins everyone over.

Salmon rillettes on toasts
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
160 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Salmon rillettes on toasts play on two textures and two flavors of salmon, the cooked one staying mild and soft, the smoked one bringing real character, both bound together with lemony cream cheese and fresh chives. Spread on a crisp baguette toast, the contrast between the crunch and the creamy filling is what makes this simple bite work so well.

This is the quintessential appetizer for a dinner with friends, the one you bring out with a chilled glass of white wine in spring or summer, when tables stretch out onto the terrace. It also fits naturally into a family meal as an opening course, since it needs almost no attention on the day itself.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 4 steps, 8 min
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make the entire rillette mixture the day before, from cooking the salmon through chilling, it is the longest step but needs no attention on the day. On the day itself, just toast the bread right before guests arrive. When it is time to serve, set out the jar of rillettes with the toasts alongside so everyone can spread their own.

The ingredients

6 people

Fish counter

  • Fresh salmon fillet 250 g
  • Smoked salmon 150 g

Dairy

  • Cream cheese such as Saint Môret 150 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemon 1
  • Chives 1 bunch
  • Shallot 1

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Pantry

  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Lactose, Gluten

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Cook the fresh salmon fillet in simmering water or over steam, then flake it with a fork. 8 min

    Remove the skin and any bones with tweezers before flaking, otherwise you find them in the rillettes.

  2. Finely chop the smoked salmon, the shallot and the chives.

    Chop the smoked salmon with a knife, a food processor turns it pasty.

  3. Mix everything with the cream cheese, the lemon juice and zest, the pepper and very little salt.

    The smoked salmon is already salty, taste before adding salt.

  4. Pack the rillettes into a jar or a terrine dish and place them in the fridge.

    A few hours of rest lets the flavors blend and the texture firm up.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the baguette into thin slices and toast them until golden. 10 min

    Rub them with a clove of garlic if you like a bit more fragrance.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Set out the rillettes with the toasts alongside so everyone can spread their own.

    Set the jar in a bowl of crushed ice if the evening is warm, the rillettes stay cold longer.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the cooked salmon well after steaming or poaching, extra moisture makes the rillettes looser and harder to spread.
  • Flake the cooked salmon with a fork rather than a food processor, the texture stays more natural and less mashed.
  • Always toast a few more slices than you think you need, they disappear faster than expected once the appetizer is out.

The variations

  • Swap the cream cheese for fresh goat cheese for a tangier, more distinctive version.
  • For a vegetarian version with a similar texture, replace the salmon with crumbled hearts of palm and a touch of smoked paprika for that smoky edge.
  • For kids, use only cooked salmon and skip the smoked one, serving on small round toasts that are easier to hold.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of chilled dry white wine
  • Fresh vegetable crudités
  • A green salad as a following course

Storage

The rillettes keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed jar. They do not freeze well, the cream cheese changes texture once thawed. Take them out of the fridge about ten minutes before serving so they spread more easily.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use a different smoked fish instead of smoked salmon?

Yes, smoked trout works very well and gives a slightly milder flavor. Avoid smoked fish that is too dry, it chops poorly and lacks the softness the mixture needs.

How do I keep the rillettes from turning out too runny?

Drain the cooked salmon well after cooking and let the mixture chill for several hours before serving. The cold naturally firms up the texture without needing to add anything.

What is a nice way to present the rillettes?

A small jam jar or individual glasses give a polished look with no extra effort. You can also spoon the rillettes directly onto each toast right before serving for a more plated presentation.

How many toasts should I plan per person?

Count on 4 to 5 toasts per person if the rillettes open the appetizer spread, a bit fewer if other bites follow. One baguette is plenty for 6 guests.

Can salmon rillettes on toasts be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make salmon rillettes on toasts?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in salmon rillettes on toasts?

About 160 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does salmon rillettes on toasts cost?

About €1.80 per person, that's €10.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose, gluten. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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