Have you jumped on the butter board bandwagon yet? If you haven’t experienced a butter board (kind of a sister to the charcuterie board) now’s your chance with this Smoked Salmon Brie Cheese Butter Board. The star of a butter board is softened butter (or in this case spreadable brie cheese) that’s swirled out on a beautiful board or platter, adorned with yummy toppings and served with bagels for dipping.
Smoked Salmon Brie Cheese Butter Board with Bagels Recipe
Howdy! Chef Alli Here. Let’s Get You Cookin’…. Shall We?? 
Are butter boards the new charcuterie boards? Maybe, but I don’t believe charcuterie boards will ever go away – they are just way too much fun for entertaining, not to mention easy to make.
Butter boards kind of feel like a combination of a charcuterie board and the platter of flavored oils with herbs and spices for bread that restaurants bring to you as the first course.
I’m excited you’re here to learn about this newest entertaining craze and how perfect butter boards are for parties and gatherings…..or even when you’re sitting at home on the couch with a friend.
What is a butter board?
A butter board is exactly that: a large board (or platter) slathered with a copious amount of swirled whipped butter and spreadable cheeses, topped with tasty seasoning blends, berries, thinly sliced veggies, citrus zest, fresh herbs, and jams and sauces. It’s all served up with an assortment of breads, crostini, bagels, pretzels and crackers.
Bottom line: a butter board is meant for swirling, scooping and spreading. Heavenly!
How do you make a butter board?
It’s super simple – just spread softened, whipped butter (or cream cheese or spreadable cheeses) onto a serving/cutting board or platter, then top it with the savory or sweet (or both) ingredients you prefer. To serve, add breads, crostini, bagels, or even veggies (like celery and carrots) for dipping and devouring.
Why are butter boards so popular?
Just like charcuterie boards, butter boards are fun and engaging – such a great way to entertain guests in a simple, yet show-stopping manner.
I like how charcuterie boards (which are essentially glorified meat and cheese trays, right?) and butter boards take common ingredients and elevate them in an interactive way that makes guests feel super comfortable and ready to nosh.
Ingredients you’ll need to make this butter board
- Spreadable brie cheese, such as the Alouette brand
- Smoked salmon
- Red onions (or pickled red onions!)
- Capers
- Fresh or dried dill
- Scallions or chives
- Flaky salt, such as kosher salt or sea salt
How to make a smoked salmon brie cheese butter board
- Spread the brie cheese over a serving board or platter, using the back of a spoon or an off-set spatula; swirl the butter to make it look fluffy and pretty.
- Chop the salmon into bite-size pieces; sprinkle over the brie cheese.
- Slice the red onion into thin slivers; sprinkle over the brie cheese with the smoked salmon.
- Top with capers, then garnish with fresh or dried dill and minced scallions or chives.
- Serve at once with bagels for dipping.
What to serve with a butter board
Serve your butter board with warmed assorted breads, toasted baguette slices, fresh croissant pieces, crusty bagel pieces and your favorite crackers. Some folks even serve their butter boards with fresh veggies, such as celery, carrots, and radishes.
Are butter boards healthy?
Ummmmm……NO! But they sure are delicious for special occasions and gatherings. From a health perspective, a butter board is something to enjoy for celebrations, not on a regular basis.
Which tools are helpful for making butter boards?
Any type of cutting board, cheese board, charcuterie board, or platter will work for making a butter board. The size depends on the amount of ingredients you are using.
I have a small, elongated charcuterie board that works perfectly for making a small butter board for 2-3 friends.
My favorite board for charcuterie and butter boards is the one that my husband purchased for me – it’s a cool dark walnut board with a live edge that we found at at Amish store on our way to the Ozarks – I love it! It’s similar to this type.
I love my Bosch mixer! Making whipped butter takes like 30 seconds on low speed….not even kidding. (It’s so powerful I swear I could even use it for cement mix.) I also use my Bosch mixer on almost a weekly basis for making cinnamon rolls….and more cinnamon rolls…..and more cinnamon rolls!
For removing the whipped butter from the mixing bowl, use my all-time favorite kitchen tool: a silicone spatula. I have tons of silicone spatulas and spatula spoons in my kitchen in all different sizes – they work waaaaay better than a metal or wooden spoon, for sure.
You can use a spreader for fluffing and swirling the softened butter to make it look pretty, but I actually find a soup spoon works pretty darn well, too.
Are butter boards safe?
If you’re worried about everyone communally dipping their bread (and potentially their fingertips) into the butter board, simply lay out some small plates or dipping bowls with butter knives or spoons so guests can portion out what they want. This type of set up (using plates and serving utensils) also discourages double dipping.
What are capers?
Capers are the un-ripened green flower buds of the caper plant. They are pickled in brine or sometimes cured in salt. The flavor of a caper is tangy and kind of briny like green olives – they have a bold, salty flavor profile.
You will typically find jarred capers in the condiment or international section of larger grocery stores.
What if I’m not crazy for the flavor of brie cheese?
Feel free to substitute softened cream cheese or butter, that’s been seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Or, substitute another type of Alouette brand spreadable cheese for the brie cheese. The spreadable brie cheese isn’t nearly as strong as a wheel of true brie, fyi.
Tips for making beautiful butter boards
- Use good quality butter. Since butter is the star of the show, splurge for decadent and rich flavor. I like to use unsalted butter so I can season it to taste myself.
- Soften the butter before whipping it. Whipped butter is very easy to spread when preparing the butter board and also easy for your guests to scoop.
- In contrast to the whipped butter’s creaminess and fat content, add bright, flavorful ingredients such as olives, citrus zest, a splash of vinegar, capers, or even sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add some texture, crunch and a good flavor boost by using lots of flakey salt to season the butter board.
- Don’t forget the fresh herbs for adding lots of beautiful visual appeal and to elevate the flavor profiles of your ingredients. Feel free to use stronger flavors such as basil, rosemary, or thyme. Or, if you want something more mild and delicate, add Italian parsley or mint leaves. Edible flowers look lovely too and add lots of good color.
- If you’re using lots of butter for your base, load the toppings on! You want the toppings and the butter to be proportional.
- Make sure to have lots of “dippers” available when serving your butter board. Assorted breads, bagels, rolls, and crackers go quickly, so provide plenty of them for your guests.
- Assemble your butter board just before your guests arrive so that everything looks fresh and sensational upon serving. Prep all your ingredients ahead so the butter board can come together quickly at the last minute.
- Provide small butter knives or dip spreaders for your guests, along with small plates. This tells them that they can scoop some of the butter board and the breads to a plate for their enjoyment, helping them resist the temptation of dipping right into the butter board itself.
- You can use any type of serving board, cutting board, cheese board or platter as long as the surface is a food-safe grade.
More Boards to Enjoy –
- Butter Board with Spreadable Cheeses and Jam
- Honey Walnut Dessert Butter Board for Two
- How to Make a Grocery Store Charcuterie Board
Printable Smoked Salmon Butter Board Recipe
Smoked Salmon Brie Cheese Butter Board with Bagels
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Alouette Spreadable Brie Cheese
- 8 oz. smoked salmon, cut into bite-size pieces
- red onion, very thinly sliced, to taste
- 1 Tbs. capers, drained, or more to taste
- 1-2 Tbs. fresh dill, may substitute 1 tsp. dried dill
- minced scallions, to taste, as garnish
Instructions
- Spread the brie cheese out in a thin layer (about 1/4-inch thick) over a cheese board or charcuterie tray, swirling it to make it look pretty and appetizing.
- Top the brie cheese with the pieces of smoked salmon, then sprinkle with the sliced red onion, to taste. Add the capers and fresh dill, then garnish with chopped scallions.
- Serve at once with sliced bagel pieces, pretzel bread, or crackers.
Nutrition
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Let’s Get You Cookin’,
Chef Alli
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