Lox vs. Smoked Salmon: What’s the Difference?

Lox vs. Smoked Salmon– What’s the difference?  IS there a difference?  Learn how to tell the difference, and get recipe ideas for both styles of salmon!

The terms lox and smoked salmon are often used interchangeably.  But before you buy– there are some things you should know!

Lox vs. Smoked Salmon: What is Lox?

Lox is a type of cured salmon.

Some lox is smoked, and some is not.

It’s typically thinly sliced, and should be served cold.  My inner lox-lover shivers in horror when I see lox recipes with lox tossed in hot, steamy pasta.  

Never cook your lox— you’ll ruin the delicate texture.

When you shop for lox, here are the labels you might see.  They’ll all have similar textures, but the flavor will change depending on how it was prepared.

• Lox: Technically, lox is salmon cured in salt, is NOT smoked, and should be from the fatty salmon belly.  It has a silky texture, and will be sold frozen or chilled.
• Nova Lox (Cold-smoked Salmon): Nova lox is salt-cured like regular lox, and then cold-smoked.  It’s smoky, but has not been exposed to heat.  It has a silky texture, and will be sold frozen or chilled.
• Gravlax: This salmon is salt-cured with spices and herbs, such as juniper berries and horseradish.  It has a silky texture, and will be sold frozen or chilled.

Want to make your own?  Learn How to Make Lox at home!

How to Make Lox

Do you love lox?  Did you know it's easy to make it yourself at home?  This How to Make Lox tutorial will walk you through making your own lox, step-by-step!

Make It

Want to shop for lox?  Look in the refrigerated meat or seafood section at the grocery store.

Lox Recipes

Once you’ve made or purchased lox, what can you do with it?

Try making these easy smoked salmon cucumber bites from A Clean Bake, or try something a little more complicated with this Swedish Smörgåstårta sandwich cake from Little Sunny Kitchen.

Below are some of my all-time favorite lox recipe ideas!

Bagels and Lox

This Bagels and Lox breakfast spread is quick and easy, and perfect for both busy mornings and brunch with friends and family.

Make It

Eggs Royale: Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

This Eggs Royale is a seafood twist on the classic Eggs Benedict. It’s made with smoked salmon, poached eggs, and a creamy yogurt sauce, and is a lighter take on the breakfast classic!

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Lox Spread

This quick and easy lox spread is made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and fresh herbs. It's perfect spread on a bagel or crêpe!

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Lox Recipe: Lox Rice Bowl

Love Lox?  This lox rice bowl is a quick and easy meal made with cold-smoked salmon and is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Make It

Lox vs. Smoked Salmon: What is Smoked Salmon?

There are two types of smoked salmon.

Cold-smoked salmon usually refers to lox.  Even though only Novalox is smoked.

Hot-smoked salmon is cooked, usually slowly in a smoker. 

The texture is very different from lox, and more like a slow-cooked meat. 

Hot-smoked salmon is generally opaque and plump– similar to a piece of salmon you’d cook at home.

Want to shop for hot-smoked salmon?  

This salmon is often shelf-stable, so look near the canned fish.  You might also find it refrigerated in the seafood section at the grocery store.

Hot-Smoked Salmon Recipes

Did you buy some hot-smoked salmon?

Try using it in these smoked salmon and dill waffles or make smoked salmon breakfast strata, both from Imagelicious.

Then, try swapping canned salmon for smoked salmon in this salmon quiche, or use smoked salmon in this seafood pot pie.

Salmon Quiche

This salmon quiche is made with canned salmon, goat cheese, and dill, and is an easy, make-ahead breakfast or brunch!

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Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

This Seafood Pot Pie is filled with a smoky seafood chowder, and topped with golden, flaky puff pastry.

Make It