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Fish, Busy evenings

Smoked salmon croque monsieur with green salad

This smoked salmon croque monsieur with salad is a toasted sandwich for 4, ready in 25 minutes, very easy to make, for €3.30 per person. It combines dill and lemon cream cheese, moist smoked salmon, and golden melted cheese on top. The trick is tucking the salmon under the cheese so it doesn't dry out in the oven.

Tonight, a toasty smoked salmon croque monsieur with cream cheese and dill, with a salad on the side for contrast.

Smoked salmon croque monsieur with green salad
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.30
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This smoked salmon croque monsieur is a nice break from the usual ham and cheese version, without any extra effort. The dill and lemon cream cheese adds a creamy base, the salmon stays moist because it's protected under the melted cheese, and the broiler gives you a crisp, golden top. A simple green salad on the side cuts through the richness and keeps the meal balanced.

It's the kind of dinner you can throw together on a weeknight when all you have is bread, cheese, and a bit of smoked salmon. Kids tend to like it just as much as adults, especially if you go lighter on the cream cheese spread for their portion. It also works well for a low effort Sunday night dinner, just make the filling a bit more generous.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • Sandwich bread 8 slices

Fish counter

  • Smoked salmon 200 g

Dairy

  • Cream cheese 150 g
  • Shredded Swiss cheese 120 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Dill 1 bunch
  • Lemon 1
  • Green salad 1

Pantry

  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Fish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the cream cheese with the chopped dill, a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

    Taste as you go, the lemon should brighten the mix without taking over.

  2. Spread the mixture on four slices of bread, add the smoked salmon, then top with the remaining slices.

    Fold the salmon into a loose rosette so the sandwich keeps some volume.

  3. Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese on top.

    Press it lightly against the edges of the bread so it doesn't burn.

  4. Bake at 220°C or under the broiler until the cheese is golden. 10 min

    Don't walk away, the broiler works fast.

  5. Toss the salad with the vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper, and serve it alongside the croques.

    A squeeze of lemon over the salmon at the end wakes everything up.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use slightly stale or lightly toasted sandwich bread before filling, it soaks up less cream cheese and stays crisp.
  • Go easy on the salt in the cream cheese mixture, the smoked salmon is already salty on its own.
  • Watch the broiler closely during the last two minutes, the cheese can go from golden to burnt very fast.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked salmon for smoked trout, it's milder and works well with kids.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the salmon with cucumber slices and a few capers, the dill still ties everything together.
  • To save time, skip mixing the spread and use plain cream cheese instead, then sprinkle the chopped dill on top before baking.

What to serve it with

  • The vinaigrette green salad from the recipe
  • A light vegetable soup to start
  • Sparkling water with a lemon slice

Storage

These croques are best eaten right away, the bread softens as it cools. If needed, keep the prepped ingredients separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and assemble just before cooking. Freezing isn't recommended for this kind of toasted sandwich.

Questions about this dish

Can I prep these croques ahead of time?

You can spread and fill the sandwiches ahead, cover them, and keep them in the fridge for an hour or two before baking. Add the shredded cheese right before cooking so it melts golden instead of drying out.

What can I use instead of Swiss cheese?

Shredded Gruyère or Edam both work well and add a slightly stronger flavor. Avoid very strong cheeses, they can overpower the smoked salmon.

How do I adjust this recipe for young kids?

Cut back on the dill and lemon in the cream cheese, the flavor can be too strong for little ones. Cutting the sandwiches into small triangles also makes them easier to eat.

Can I cook these in a skillet instead of the oven?

Yes, use low heat with a lid so the cheese melts without burning the bread. Cook about 3 minutes per side, checking the color as you go.

How long does it take to make a smoked salmon croque monsieur with a green salad?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a smoked salmon croque monsieur with a green salad?

About 530 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a smoked salmon croque monsieur with a green salad cost?

About €3.30 per serving, or €13.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, fish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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