• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
×
Home » Recipes » Vegan

Vegan Smoked Salmon (Carrot Lox)

Published: Oct 8, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Bagels with carrot lox, text reads: vegan carrot smoked salmon.
Bagel with vegan smoked salmon, text reads: easy make-ahead vegan carrot lox.
Bagels with vegan lox, text reads Vegan Carrot Lox, perfect on bagels.

This recipe for Vegan Smoked Salmon is a great alternative to traditional lox. Thin strips of carrot are marinated in sauces and spices to make the perfect complement to a bagel or served as a healthy vegan appetizer with crackers. Perfect for a Christmas breakfast or party food, or any time of year.

Bread board with vegan lox on a bagel with cream cheese.

Vegan Lox? Yes, really!

This Vegan Smoked Salmon is made with strips of baked carrot that are seasoned in a delicious marinade.

The carrot gets a lovely texture that's reminiscent of smoked salmon and it's full of smokey flavor.

It's a delicious alternative to lox and it's perfect on a bagel with a schmear of dairy free cream cheese.

One of the best ways for vegans to enjoy all types of foods and flavors is to make meat and vegan fish alternatives that taste just like the real thing!

Smoked salmon is very versatile and popular in many countries (in Scandinavia it's gravadlax) and can be served for any meal or can be served as a party appetizer.

If you’re vegan or vegetarian you don't have to miss out on the flavor of smoked salmon with this easy recipe for carrot salmon lox. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The main ingredient is shaved carrots which can be found anywhere.

Completely vegan and vegetarian.

Makes an impressive finger food for a vegan brunch.

You'll get a great smoky flavor by using smoked paprika.

A bread board with Vegan Lox on bagels.

Ingredients & Tools 

Carrots - Thin carrots will make for thinner strips of vegan salmon and larger carrots make larger strips. Use whatever you have as they all work well.

Soy sauce - this helps to give the ‘salmon’ a rich flavor. If you’re gluten-free, then go for tamari instead.

Olive oil - I use extra virgin, but any mild oil will work. Avoid coconut, avocado etc.. as they’ll be too strong for the finished dish.

Lemon juice - use freshly squeezed or bottled.

Smoked paprika - this gives a lovely smokey flavor without using liquid smoke (which isn’t very healthy).

Garlic powder - this gives a nice flavor, but is optional if you don’t like garlic.

Maple syrup - for a vegan sweetener. You can substitute agave.

Black pepper - for a little extra flavor.

To serve

Bagels

Vegan Cream Cheese

Or try it on crackers as an appetizer.

Step By Step Tutorial

This vegetarian salmon recipe is really easy.

Just follow these step by step photos for perfect results.

Then, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full ingredients list and method.

Carrots on a board and rolled in salt.

Preheat the oven to 350f (180c) and line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Peel the carrots and roll them in lots of salt, then place on the baking tray.

Cooked carrots on a baking tray, and salt rubbed off.

Bake the carrots for 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until soft. Allow them to cool.

Rub the salt off the cooled carrots.

Carrot being peeled, and bowl of marinade.

Use a vegetable peeler to cut the carrots into ribbons.

In a medium bowl, combine all the carrot smoked salmon marinade ingredients.

Bowl of marinade with carrot ribbons.

Add the carrot lox strips to the bowl of marinade and refrigerate overnight or a minimum of 30 minutes.

TIP: The longer the better as it gives more time for the flavors to infuse the carrots. You can also prep it up to 5 days ahead and leave it in the marinade in the fridge until ready to serve.

Serve on a bagel with vegan cream cheese and top with a sprig of dill.

Tips 

For a fishier flavor, add 1 tablespoon finely chopped nori (from a sheet) to the vegan smoked salmon marinade.

For a smokier flavor, add 1 tablespoon liquid smoke to the marinade.

The longer the carrot strips are marinated, the deeper the flavor will be. 

Make sure your carrot strips are thin. Try cutting with a mandolin, veg peeler or very sharp knife - just be careful!

Instead of baking the carrot strips, you could also boil them until they are gently cooked.

Looking down at a bagel with cream cheese, carrot lox.

Serving Suggestions

Serve on a vegan bagel with delicious Vegan Cream Cheese.

Add it to your breakfast along with these Vegan Fluffy Waffles.

Top your Vegan Lox topped with some pickled onions and cucumber.

Serve on crackers as an appetizer with these Garlic and Herb Stuffed Mushrooms.

Make your own Vegan Crackers to serve with the Carrot Lox.

Add some sun dried tomatoes and garlic on top.

Variations

Top with a few salty capers.

Try out this recipe using different color rainbow carrots.

Add some red pepper flake for a spicy smoked salmon.

Marinate with some Vegan Teriyaki Sauce for an Asian twist.

Add in fresh herbs and spices to your cream cheese for an additional boost of flavor.

For a typical dish of bagels with lox, serve the carrot lox on a bagel with cream cheese, topped with sliced red onion, tomatoes, cucumber and capers.

Crackers with vegan salmon.

Special diets

Make it gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten free, make sure you are using a gluten free soy sauce such as Tamari. 

Storage and Freezing 

Freezing: It is not recommended that you freeze vegan smoked salmon as the texture will change once it is defrosted.

Storage: Carrot lox will keep fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. 

Close up of a plate of carrot strips marinated to be like vegan lox.

FAQs 

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Since the carrot lox benefits from being marinated as long as possible, this recipe can be made ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, in the marinade.

Can Vegans Eat Salmon? Since vegans are strict with not eating any animal products, they cannot eat salmon or any other types of fish. Luckily there are plenty of alternatives. Vegetarians don't eat fish, but pescatarians do.

What's The Difference Between Smoked Salmon and Lox?
Lox is salmon that has been cured in salt and smoked salmon has been smoked until it is cured and cooked through.

Can I Use Another Vegetable To Make Vegan Lox?
You could also use thin sliced tomato in place of carrots to make vegan smoked salmon.

Vegan Carrot Recipes

If you still have carrots to use up after making vegan salmon, be sure to try these tasty vegan carrot recipes:

Carrot Jam - you only need 3 ingredients for this tasty vegetable jam, based on a Victorian recipe.
Easy Vegan Carrot Cake - the classic cake, veganized.
Carrot Hummus - thick, creamy and full of carrot flavor.
Sweet Potato Carrot Soup - a warming and nourishing bowl.
Carrot Pizza - there's carrot in the crust and the sauce!
Carrot Lentil Hotdogs - a nutritious veggie dog.

Vegan Fish Recipes

You can totally make vegan versions of many fish and seafood recipes. All you need is the right texture and the right seasonings. It helps if you get the color right too.

You'll love these creative and exciting vegan fish recipes.

Vegan Tuna Salad Sandwich - instead of tuna, this sandwich filling is full of chickpeas, vegan mayo and seasonings.

Vegan Lobster Roll - the texture of lobster is replicated in this vegan recipe with hearts of palm. The canned palm is found in many major grocery stores and health food stores. Perfect with a dairy free mayo dressing in a toasted bun.

Be sure to check out my epic list of the BEST vegan fish and seafood recipes.

Get the recipe

Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon

📖 Recipe

A bagel with carrot lox, cream cheese, onion and dill.

Vegan Smoked Salmon (Carrot Lox)

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This recipe for Vegan Smoked Salmon  is a great alternative to traditional lox. Thin strips of carrot are marinated in sauces and spices to make the perfect compliment to a bagel or served as a healthy vegan appetizer with crackers. Perfect for a Christmas breakfast or party food.
4.91 from 20 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
SaveSaved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Marinating time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine American, Scandinavian
Servings 6
Calories 43 kcal

Equipment

  • Vegetable peeler
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven
  • Bowl

Ingredients
 

  • 3 large carrots 220g
  • Sea salt

For the Carrot Lox Marinade

  • 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce ( or tamari)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

To serve (optional)

  • Bagels
  • Vegan Cream Cheese
  • Fresh Dill

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350f (175c) and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
  • Peel the carrots and roll them in lots of salt, then place on the baking tray and bake for 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until soft. Allow them to cool.
  • Rub the salt off the cooled carrots, then use a vegetable peeler to cut the carrots into ribbons.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the carrot smoked salmon marinade ingredients.
  • Add the carrot lox strips to the bowl of marinade and refrigerate overnight or a minimum of 30 minutes (the longer the better as it gives more time for the flavors to infuse the carrots).
  • Serve on a bagel with vegan cream cheese and top with a sprig of dill.

Video

Notes

Nutrition calculated for the vegan smoked salmon only.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time? Absolutely! Since the carrot lox benefits from being marinated as long as possible, this recipe can be made ahead of time.
Freezing: It is not recommended that you freeze vegan smoked salmon as the texture will change once it is defrosted.
Storage: Carrot lox will keep fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Serve on a vegan bagel with delicious Vegan Cream Cheese.
Add it to your breakfast along with these Vegan Fluffy Waffles.
Top with some pickled onions and cucumber.
Serve on crackers as an appetizer with these Garlic and Herb Stuffed Mushrooms.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 273mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5424IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

More Vegan Recipes

  • Looking down at a serving dish of braised red cabbage on a wooden table.
    Braised Red Cabbage
  • A cast iron dish of chickpea curry on a wooden table.
    Easy Chickpea Curry
  • A square of vegan zucchini brownies on a piece of baking paper on a wooden table, next to courgettes and pecans.
    Fudgy Vegan Zucchini Brownies
  • Close up of tofu curry on a plate with rice and wilted spinach.
    Tofu Curry
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.91 from 20 votes (10 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Lee Kaplan

    April 30, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made vegan lox from carrots, but it involved burying (literally) the carrots in a ton of kosher salt, and baking the whole mess. Your method sounds MUCH simpler, and less time-consuming.
    I’m Jewish, and grew up on cream cheese and lox on bagels. The first time I tried carrot lox (this is the same marinade) with cream cheese, tomato and onion on a bagel, I was kvelling (swooning)!

    Reply
  2. Kathleen

    January 23, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    I made it a couple of years ago and was amazed at how good it was. I’m not vegan and never will be but I do like smoked salmon and this was incredibly good. I would never have guessed it was made with carrots.and don’t know where people get their inspiration from. Well done. Going to make it as a starter for the vegans in the family for a Burns Night starter.

    Reply
  3. Irv

    April 10, 2022 at 8:27 pm

    Sounds good and I’m going to try it. But for crying out loud, it’s NOT “vegan salmon” it’s smoked carrots!!

    Reply
    • Lee Kaplan

      April 30, 2023 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Close your eyes when you first taste it. The baking and marinade completely change the texture of the carrot slices.

      Reply
  4. Alex

    January 04, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great recipe for those craving that smoky salmon taste without having to eat seafood. So much cheaper too!

    Reply
  5. Linda

    October 15, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    You could have fooled me with this one! I really thought it was smoked salmon on that bagel. I will definitely be making this for my next get-together for all my vegan friends. It was easy to make and kept well in the refrigerator for a couple days.

    Reply
  6. Laura

    October 08, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    5 stars
    WHat an interesting alternative. I will make it when my vegan friends come around

    Reply
  7. Natalie

    October 08, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    5 stars
    This is such an interesting recipe. I never knew there is such thing as vegan smoked salmon. I need to make this. I'm curious to find out how this taste. Looks delicious, that's for sure.

    Reply
  8. Beth

    October 08, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    These look so delicious! My daughter and I are going to love this!

    Reply
  9. veenaazmanov

    October 08, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    5 stars
    This is such an interesting recipe. Best Topping option for so many recipes. Looks perfect . Yum

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

Collage of press logos.

Popular recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)

  • Plate of lentil dahl and rice.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl

  • Soup in a bowl with a spoon.
    Easy Lentil Soup

  • Spoonful of sauce on a jar of it.
    Cane's Sauce Recipe (copycat)

Vegetable Cake Recipes

  • A cake and a piece of cake sitting on top of a table.
    Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing

  • Close up of cut loaf cake.
    Parsnip Loaf Cake

  • Cake on a cake stand with slices missing
    Vanilla Spinach Cake

  • A slice of lemon cucumber cake on a plate.
    Lemon and Cucumber Cake

My cookbook

Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About me
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Press
  • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for newsletter updates

Partner Sites

  • You Say Potatoes

Disclaimers

  • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked out perfectly!
The whole family loved this recipe!
Easy and tasty!
I'm sure we'll be making this recipe again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.