Sesame Free Smoked Salmon Lettuce Cups with Avocado & Cucumber
These elegant little cups are the kind of appetizer or light meal that looks like it took serious effort but comes together in minutes with just a bowl and a whisk. Silky smoked salmon, creamy diced avocado, and cool cucumber nestle into crisp butter lettuce leaves for a combination that feels fresh, bright, and genuinely satisfying. The dressing is a simple emulsion of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and zest — clean, citrusy, and completely free of any hidden sesame oils or tahini-based sauces that can sneak into similar recipes. That matters more than you'd think, since many store-bought dressings and pre-marinated smoked salmon products carry sesame as a silent ingredient. Here, every component is straightforward and easy to verify, so you can serve these with real confidence. Fresh chives and dill add an herby lift, and a handful of capers on top takes the whole thing to another level if you're feeling fancy. Serve them immediately so the lettuce stays crisp and the avocado stays vibrant — these are best eaten the moment they hit the table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cups
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
For the filling
- 6 oz smoked salmon, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and diced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste
For serving
- 1 tbsp capers, drained (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper until combined and slightly emulsified.
- 2
In a separate bowl, gently toss the diced avocado and cucumber with half the dressing until lightly coated.
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