Published: Mar 9, 2020 Updated: May 12, 2023 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 2 Comments

Salmon Pie (with cheesy topping)

Name: Salmon Pie (with cheesy topping)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 single-crust pie shell; 3 6 oz cans boneless/skinless pink salmon ((or 1 lb. fresh smoked salmon)); 4 ounces cream cheese ((softened)); 1 cup sour cream; ¼ cup liquid from salmon can ((or milk)); 3 large eggs ((beaten)); 3 cloves garlic ((minced)); ½ tsp black pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; ¼ cup scallions ((chopped)); 3 tbsp fresh dill ((or 2 tsp. dill weed)); 2 tbsp capers ((optional)); 1 cup French-fried onions; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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How do you top a creamy, Salmon Pie loaded with flaked salmon, fresh dill, and cheese? Finish it off with crunchy French-fried onion and cheddar cheese topping! Serve with smoked salmon salad on the side.

smoked salmon pie with a slice being served

This recipe allows you to either take canned salmon to the next level or use up leftover smoked salmon!

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🧐 About This Recipe
🛒 What Goes into This Recipe
🔖 Recipe Ingredient Notes
🥧 How to Make Salmon Pie
🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
🥙 Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🧐 About This Recipe

Recently, our dear Montana friends, Kathy and Greg, had us over for Salmon Pie. I'd never tried salmon pie before, although I did make a Salmon Cheesecake years ago that was really good.

From what I understand, "Tourtière," also known as "meat pie," is a traditional French-Canadian dish that is popular in Canada and New England. Russians also make a salmon pie called "Kulebyaka." Although it looks more like a calzone than a pie. According to milkandbun.com:

The word became from old Russian verb – ‘kulebyachit’, that means to make with hands, to shape, to bend, and to knead.

Kathy was sweet enough to share her recipe, which was passed down from a friend who was known for her salmon pie. Later, as I looked over the recipe, all sorts of ingredients started dancing around in my head (as they often do).

So what changes did I make? I replaced the canned salmon with smoked salmon and replaced the mayo with cream cheese. Also, I replaced the onions with scallions and snuck in some garlic and fresh dill. And don't get me started on the crunchy-cheesy topping!

salmon pie with red dishtowel next to it

🛒 What Goes into This Recipe

3 cans of salmon stacked onto of each other

🔖 Recipe Ingredient Notes

Salmon — For this recipe, you can either use fresh smoked salmon or 3 (6 oz) cans of pink salmon. In my opinion, the first option will taste better, especially if you love smoked salmon, like I do. However, canned salmon is more convenient and still delicious.
Pie Crust — You can use store-bought or homemade pie crust in this recipe, just make sure it's not sweet. I find Pillsbury pie crusts are both convenient and delicious.
Capers — Capers are optional.

🥧 How to Make Salmon Pie

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 1: Place pie pastry in a 9½" pie plate, and flute the edges.

Prepare Filling

Step 2: Drain and flake the salmon, reserving ¼ cup of liquid from the cans. Set aside. (If using fresh smoked salmon, you'll use a ¼ cup milk in place of the liquid from the salmon can).

Step 3: Add cream cheese, sour cream, and liquid from the can (or milk) in a stand mixer. Mix until combined.

cream cheese, sour cream in a silver mixing bowl

Step 4: Add eggs, garlic, and black pepper and mix thoroughly. Stir in the cheddar cheese, scallions, dill, and capers.

mixing bowl with cream and shredded cheddar cheese

Step 5: Finally, fold in the flaked salmon.

flaked salmon and other pie mix ingredients in a bowl

Step 6: Turn the salmon mixture into the prepared pie shell. Cover pie plate with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the pie is set.

Topping

Step 7: Meanwhile, mix French-fried onions with shredded cheese. When the salmon pie is set, remove the pie from the oven and top with the crunchy topping mixture.

fried onions and shredded cheese in a bowl

Step 8: Bake, the salmon pie uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes. Allow the pie to rest for 10 minutes before slicing it.

salmon pie with a slice taken out and placed on a plate next to it

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can you use canned salmon to make salmon pie?

Yes, you can either use canned salmon or precooked salmon to make this recipe. Smoked salmon is especially tasty and compliments the other ingredients in this recipe.

How many calories are in one slice of salmon pie?

Since salmon pie recipes are all different it's hard to give exact calories per slice. However, as an example, this recipe has 364 calories in each serving.

What do you serve with salmon pie?

Salmon pie can be pretty filling so whatever you serve on the side should be light. Oil and Vinegar Coleslaw or a Broccoli Salad are both great options.

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

If you use canned salmon, you might want to add ¼ tsp. of salt.
Smoked fish tends to be salty. Make sure to wash the brine solution off before drying and smoking the salmon. You will not need to add additional salt.
Keep in mind capers are pretty salty too, so if you do add capers, you might want to leave the salt out completely.
Adding a layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom of the other ingredients would also be a delicious option!
Baking times may vary based on the oven used. After 45 minutes of cooking check the pie. Check again every 10 minutes, until the center is no longer jiggly or wet. Then add the topping and cook just enough to melt the cheese and allow the onions to brown and become crunchy.

smoked salmon pie with a sprig of dill with a pot holder next to it

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