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Best smoked salmon – perfect for brunches to blinis
With its rich flavour, subtle smokiness and delicate texture, smoked salmon is a Christmas classic that’s perfect for serving as part of festive brunches and canapés.
To find out how supermarket salmon compares, we asked 72 smoked salmon fans to rate 10 premium mild and delicate options in a blind taste test.
We uncovered two outstanding Best Buys that tied for top spot, including a Great Value pick that offers a taste of luxury for less.
How we tested smoked salmon
Bias-free testing
Every slice of salmon was blind-tasted, meaning no one knew which one they were tucking into.
Independent
We paid for all the smoked salmon samples we tested. We're not influenced by third parties, and we don't accept freebies.
Large tasting panel
Our panel of 72 tasters got through more than 350 slices of smoked salmon in our search to find the best.
Robust data checks
All of our results are thoroughly checked and analysed by our in-house statistical team to ensure accuracy.
Best smoked salmon
Only logged-in Which? members can view our full test results and tasting notes below, and discover which supermarket smoked salmon topped our taste test.
If you’re not yet a member, you'll see an alphabetically ordered list of the smoked salmon on test. To get instant access to these and all our reviews, join Which? today.
Aldi Specially Selected Mild & Delicate Smoked Salmon
£3.09 for 100g
Description: Cured with salt and demerara sugar and smoked over oak chips for six hours.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Aldi (in-store only).
Asda Exceptional Mild & Delicate Scottish Smoked Salmon
£4.74 for 100g
Description: Hung and smoked in traditional brick kilns for 15 hours over a blend of oak and applewood chips.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Asda.
Lidl Deluxe Mild & Delicate Smoked Scottish Salmon
£3.29 for 100g
Description: Packs a saltier punch than some, with a firm texture would hold up well between a bagel.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Lidl (in-store only).
M&S Collection Scottish Mild & Delicate Smoked Salmon
£6 for 100g
Description: Expertly cured and twice smoked over oak wood shavings in a traditional kiln.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Ocado and M&S (in-store only).
Morrisons The Best Mild & Delicate Scottish Smoked Salmon
£4.50 for 100g
Description: Cured with sea salt and demerara sugar, gently smoked over oak for seven and a half hours.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Morrisons.
Mowi Organic Scottish Smoked Salmon
£8.05 for 100g
Description: Organic salmon expertly cured and smoked over beech and oak chippings.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Ocado.
Sainsbury's Taste The Difference ASC Scottish Cherrywood Smoked Salmon
£4.75 for 100g
Description: Expertly cured and smoked over cherrywood chips.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Sainsbury's.
Tesco Finest Apple Wood Scottish Smoked Salmon Mild & Delicate
£4.75 for 100g
Description: Traditionally cured, kiln smoked and matured for 24 hours.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Tesco.
The Real Seafood Co. Smoked Salmon
£3.50 for 100g
Description: Smoked over beech and oak for a mild and delicate flavour.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Tesco.
Waitrose No.1 Chestnut Scottish Smoked Salmon
£6.50 for 100g
Description: Cured, hung and kiln smoked for up to 24 hours over chestnut, oak and beech wood.
Want to buy without reading our results? Available from Waitrose.
Looking for more festive picks? See the best mince pies and best champagne from our expert taste tests
How we tested smoked salmon
In September 2025, we gathered a panel of 72 smoked salmon fans in our specialist tasting lab for a blind taste test. We selected 10 packs of mild and delicate smoked salmon, as this was the most popular option when we asked Which? members about the type of smoked salmon they’re most likely to buy for Christmas.
The slices were served blind, so none of our tasters knew which brand they were trying. To avoid any bias, we also rotated the tasting order for each person. Each slice was carefully scored for colour, thickness, saltiness and flavour intensity. The overall score was based on:
- 50% flavour
- 20% aroma
- 20% appearance
- 10% texture
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth says: 'Smoked salmon is a good source of the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which are found in oily fish and are important for maintaining healthy blood pressure, blood triglycerides and heart health.
'However unlike a salmon fillet, smoked salmon is high in salt so should be eaten in moderation.
The recommended portion size for smoked salmon is also around a third to a half of a portion of salmon so a serving of smoked salmon doesn't count as your recommended one portion of oily fish that we're advised to eat each week.'
How to serve smoked salmon
With its rich, smoky flavour, smoked salmon works brilliantly in a variety of dishes, from simple pastas and salads to more elaborate canapés. It's also a great brunch option, served on toast with buttery scrambled eggs.
Most packs recommend taking the salmon out of the fridge 10-20 mins before serving to allow the flavours to develop fully.
We tested mild and delicate smoked salmon, which is best served with simple flavours that don't overpower the subtle smokiness.
However, most supermarkets have a 'strong and robust' salmon which can stand up to punchier flavours. You can also find more unusual flavoured versions, such as those infused with gin or whisky for an extra indulgence.
Can you freeze smoked salmon?
The smoked salmon we tested is suitable for freezing, though it's worth checking the pack as instructions can vary. Most packs recommend the following:
- For best quality, freeze as soon as possible after purchase (and always within the use-by date).
- Once frozen, use within one month.
- Defrost thoroughly in the fridge for at least three hours.
- Once defrosted, use the same day and do not refreeze.
Is smoked salmon sustainable?
According to the Marine Conservation Society (MSC), sustainability ratings vary depending on the type of smoked salmon you buy.
If you can, look for organic or ASC-certified smoked salmon. If these options aren’t available, the MSC recommends wild-caught Pacific salmon as a suitable alternative.
We included Mowi Scottish Smoked Salmon in our taste test, which is both organic and ASC certified.
For more advice, see our guide on how to buy sustainable fish
How is salmon smoked?
Smoked salmon is typically cured in a mixture of salt and sugar to preserve the fish, then smoked at a low temperature over wood chips to add flavour.
The type of wood used can impact the overall flavour profile – some are sweet and fruity, while others add a more intense smokiness. It's worth trying a few different types to find out what you like.
Oak is the most popular type for the smoked salmon we tested, but you might also come across cherrywood or applewood. Some use a combination of wood chips – for example, Waitrose is smoked over chestnut, oak and beechwood.
Price and availability checked November 2025.