Carrot Lox [Vegan Smoked Salmon]

Roast carrots in a salty, savory, smoky, tangy marinade to make a surprisingly impressive vegan salmon alternative – Aka carrot lox. It’s perfect for making lox bagels, salads, and more!

Up Your Brunch Game with Quick Carrot Lox

It may have been wary skepticism that first encouraged us to try homemade carrot lox (aka vegan salmon slices), but now it’s a recipe we’re proud to share for anyone craving lox bagels on a cruelty-free diet. Plus, unlike many other recipes, there’s no need to salt-bake whole carrots for our version, so you can enjoy the vegan carrot lox in record time.

Instead, this recipe bakes carrot slices in a briny, tangy, slightly smoky marinade and leaves them to marinate for an hour in the fridge afterward for vegan carrot salmon that’s tender, a little oily, and sure to hit the spot. And while we can’t claim the texture and flavor are identical, it’s a surprisingly delicious alternative made of simple, wholesome ingredients (unlike store-bought ‘fake salmon’).

Looking to try even more plant-based ‘fishy’ favorites? Try our chickpea tuna salad, watermelon tuna (sashimi and steaks!), and tofu fish sticks.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

Carrot Lox

• Carrots: Use large, thick carrots, as they’ll be easier to ribbon for this carrot lox recipe.
• Olive oil: This helps vegan salmon mimic the fatty oiliness of regular salmon.
• Salt: Use kosher/sea salt. For extra umami-rich saltiness, optionally add a splash of soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free).
• Rice vinegar: Or apple cider vinegar for tang.
• Lemon juice: For tangy depth and extra brightness. Fresh lemon is best.
• Smoked paprika: To add the smoky element for carrot smoked salmon.
• Black pepper

For a Lox Bagel

• Bagels: Use your favorite– i.e., everything bagels, wholegrain, rye, or even bagel thins.
• Vegan cream cheese: Use your preferred dairy-free cream cheese.
• Shallot: Or red onion. For extra tang, use pickled red onion.
• Capers
• Fresh dill

You could also add some thinly sliced cucumber, avocado, tomato, microgreens, and/or a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.  

What Could I Add to This Vegan Salmon Recipe?

• Liquid smoke: A few drops of liquid smoke make even smokier vegan lox. Use it instead of or alongside the paprika.
• Nori flakes: (Nori sheets blended) will add extra ‘fishiness.’ Dulse flakes will also work.
• Garlic powder: Just a small pinch for extra flavor depth.
• Maple syrup: Or agave, to add a very subtle sweetness that tastes delicious.

How to Make Carrot Lox

• First, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and drizzle it with about 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Then, wash, dry, peel, and thinly ribbon the carrots to about ¼-inch thick (thinner, if possible) using a mandoline, sharp knife, or vegetable peeler.

• Transfer the carrots to the oiled tray in a single layer and sprinkle with salt.

• Meanwhile, mix the water, remaining olive oil, rice vinegar, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl.

• With a brush/ fingers, evenly coat the carrots with the marinade, cover the sheet tightly with foil, and set aside while preheating the oven to 450F/230C.

If you have any leftover marinade, optionally use it to brush the bagels or add to the carrots post-bake.

• Bake the vegan lox for 15 minutes, then lift the foil and see if the carrot is tender. If not, continue baking in 5-minute increments until ready. The time varies depending on the exact thickness of the carrot slices.
• When ready, carefully transfer them to a lidded Tupperware dish, seal it, and leave them to cool and marinate for an hour.

For the best flavor, allow the vegan carrot lox to marinate with a little extra marinade for even longer – overnight or even 24 hours. The taste improves over time.

How To Make a Lox Bagel

• First, thinly slice the shallot and optionally toast the bagel halves, if preferred. Then, if you have leftover marinade, brush the bagel slices with it.

• Next, add generous lashings of vegan cream cheese. 

• Top with 3-4 slices of carrot lox, folding them to fit the bagel.

• Sprinkle each bagel half with 5 capers, 3 slices of shallot, and some fresh dill to garnish – enjoy!

Recipe Pro Tips

• Make the slices thin enough: Similar to regular salmon slices.
• To speed up prep: A mandoline/vegetable peeler gets the carrots ribboned in seconds.
• Tightly cover the baking sheet: This traps the steam to ensure the carrot becomes tender.
• Allow the flavors to meld: After baking, leave the vegan lox to marinate for an hour minimum. However, if you have the time, we highly recommend adding a little excess marinade and leaving it for 24 hours.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

Along with making delicious vegan lox bagels, this vegan/ vegetarian substitute for salmon can be used:

• In sandwiches and wraps
• Over toast with tofu scramble
• As part of a vegan sushi bowl/ poke bowl
• In vegan sushi
• Over crostini
• In a salad – like vegan Caesar salad or Greek salad
• On a vegan charcuterie board
• In a vegan quiche or frittata

Storage Instructions

Store the carrot lox in an airtight container or Ziplock/Stasher bag (with excess air removed) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

We don’t recommend freezing it, as the thawed carrot will probably become mushy.

More Easy Vegan Carrot Recipes

• Raw carrot salad
• Pickled carrots and daikon radish
• Vegan coleslaw with apple and corn
• Baked carrot chips
• Carrot pasta sauce
• Easy glazed carrots
• Japanese carrot-ginger salad dressing

Photos by Alfonso Revilla