Every good New Yorker knows bagels & lox are essential! This Gluten-Free Bagel with Vegan Carrot Lox & Cream Cheese recipe is just the allergy-free recipe you need to still enjoy the classic Jewish deli sandwich! This vegetarian smoked salmon will make your breakfast or lunch bagel sandwich the envy of every city dweller!
Just when you thought that classic NYC bagel and lox could only live on in your pre-celiac/food allergy memories. We couldn't be bagel-deprived, now could we? The days when you could just hop into the Jewish deli down the on the corner may be over, BUT there's nothing stopping you from making a few simple swaps and tweaks in the comfort of your own home, so you can still enjoy your favorite savory bagel sandwich!
What is bagel and lox?
A Sunday morning tradition in American Jewish families with a fresh NYC bagel smeared with cold creamy cream cheese topped with salty, thinly sliced lox (aka smoked salmon), with optional slices of red onion, capers, tomato, cucumber, and fresh dill. Lox is smoked salmon and nowadays it's expensive...very. BUT, it became super popular and affordable back in the 1920s and 1930s, when the transcontinental railroad made salmon from the Pacific Northwest plentiful back east in New York. Since the salmon is smoked, it didn't need refrigeration and fish is pareve (not meat or dairy) so Jews could eat it at any meal. A win-win for the poor, newly immigrated Jewish population. There is no one explanation as for why bagels and lox were paired together, but New York and New Jersey are the bagel capitols so...this sandwich was bound to happen!
How do you make vegan lox?
Now, what on Earth will you be using to make vegan lox? No need to any soy or gluten-filled mock meats here! We are doing full plant-based and using CARROTS! Why? Well, for starters, carrots are CHEAP and smoked salmon is not (nor are mock meats!), they're the perfect color naturally, easy to thinly slice, and delicious to marinading in a "smokey" concoction that mimics the flavors of lox (minus the fishiness!) You'll be boiling your thinly sliced or shaved carrots and then marinading them overnight or just a few hours in coconut aminos, smoked paprika, and a pinch of black pepper. You can also include SALT to get that authentic smoked salmon ambiance if the sodium in the coconut aminos isn't enough for your preferences.
What type of bagel should I use?
Your favorite gluten-free bagel is fine, although a good gluten-free bagel is hard to come by and 99% of them are not also allergy-free and vegan. What should you do? Make a batch of my easy gluten-free, allergy-free bagels of course! From there, you can choose to make plain, poppy seed, sesame seed, even everything bagels! Whatever type of bagel will fully satisfy your lox dreams!
What do you serve with bagels and lox?
This is where you can get as crazy with toppings or as minimal as you want! Once you have your bagel options, carrot lox, and of course dairy-free cream cheese, you can add other toppings to make this a complete bagel sandwich fit for a hearty lunch or go lighter on the toppings for a quick breakfast. Or just set out all your toppings and make it a bagel bar brunch!
Toppings to serve bagel and lox with:
- Cream cheese (any vegan/allergy-free variety: plain, veggie, garlic herb)
- Cucumber slices
- Tomato slices
- Capers
- Red onion slices or thinly sliced shallots
- Fresh sprigs of dill
- Other fresh herbs like basil or chives
- Lemon wedges
- Thinly sliced radishes
How do you eat a bagel and lox?
Traditionally, bagel and lox is eaten as an open-faced sandwich. That means you get DOUBLE the topping action if you top both sliced halves of the bagel. If you want to eat this on the go or pack it up for a "bring to work" lunch, you can close the bagel and eat it whole. Open-faced allows you to PILE.IT.ON!
Should you toast the bagel?
Again, that's up to you! I am 100% toasted bagel and lox! Toasting the bagel adds the perfect crunch and cozy warmth!
More savory breakfast/brunch ideas:
- Vegan Chickpea Flour Omelette
- Vegan Chickpea Flour Scramble
- Mini Vegan Frittata Bites
- Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
Gluten-Free Bagel with Vegan Carrot Lox
Gluten-Free Bagel with Vegan Carrot Lox & Cream Cheese (Allergy-Free)
Every good New Yorker knows bagels & lox are essential! This Gluten-Free Bagel with Vegan Carrot Lox & Cream Cheese recipe is just the allergy-free recipe you need to still enjoy the classic Jewish deli sandwich! This vegetarian smoked salmon will make your breakfast or lunch bagel sandwich the envy of every city dweller!
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Carrot Lox:
- 2 Large Carrots
- ¼ Cup Coconut Aminos
- ½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- Salt (to taste)
To Assemble:
- 2 Gluten-Free Bagels (of choice)
- Vegan/Allergy-Free Cream Cheese (of choice)
- Cucumber Slices
- Tomato Slices
- Capers
- Red Onion Slices
- Fresh Dill, Basil, Chives
- Lemon Wedges
Instructions
- To make the carrot lox, thinly slice the carrot lengthwise (I did not peel mine), or use a vegetable peeler to make long ribbons.
- Boil the carrot ribbons for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness. Just enough to get them soft, but not falling apart. Drain and blanch in a bowl of ice cold water.
- In a bowl, mix together the coconut aminos, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Place the cooled carrot ribbons in the marinade and allow them to sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- To assemble the bagels and lox, slice and toast the bagels, spread on the cream cheese, layer on the carrot lox, and then add any additional toppings you desire.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
There you have it! A perfectly top 8 allergy-free, gluten-free, vegan recipe for bagels with lox & cream cheese! This recipe was made for 2 people, but you can easily make more carrot lox and serve these bagels up for a fantastic bagel bar brunch! Just make sure you invite me...okay?
So tell me:
+ Did you ever eat real bagels with lox?
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Amanda Rosson
Ooh this looks so good + I love that it's gluten free and vegan! I also appreciate you explaining what "bagel and lox" is - I've seen the term Lox many times on brunch menus and wondered what is was lol.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Smoked salmon! But in this case....smoked carrots, haha!
Caroline Thompson
Oh mannnnn. Get in my belly!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's just like the real thing!
Jasmine Hewitt
we don't have to worry about being gluten-free, but ts n ice to know theres options availible
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's not the main hero of this recipe. It's the carrot lox. You can use whatever bagel you want.
aisasami
I would love to try to make a beggie bagel for lunch one day. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A what?
Amberly
My husband recently went gluten free! He's going to love this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why?
Kenzie
Looks delicious 😋
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you for your two-word comment! Super helpful!
Indya | The Small Adventurer
I honestly had no idea what lox was until I read this post! Due to it's colour, I thought it was some kind of ham, but nope! It's salmon, I can't believe I didn't know that 😅 I actually really like smoked salmon, but I've never tried it on bread before. I'll have to add this to my "to try" list! 🙌
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Definitely a Jewish American thing!
Carrie Nelson
Thank you SO much for this. Being allergic to gluten and some of the top allergens (dairy, nuts, etc.), I am always finding gluten-free recipes that use allergy triggering foods to substitute which is totally not helpful. I am totally trying this weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect for a Spring weekend brunch!
Briana
I would have never even thought to make this! Looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Deliciously veggie-packed!
Heather
OMG I wish I would have seen this years ago. When I went vegan, I had the hardest time finding a substitute for bagel, lox and cream cheese.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always a way to enjoy the old favs!
Amanda Martin
My husband's favorite way to eat a bagel! Sounds delish
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Time to veganize it!
Laura
I’m wild about this recipie! I love the idea of a healthier bagel in the morning, and this I can easily do! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Is this healthier than a normal lox bagel?
Sarah Althouse
Oooh i've never had lox but will need to try. Sounds so good on a bagel with cream cheese!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well, carrot lox, lol.
Annaliese
How great that a classic breakfast food is able to be made gluten free and still taste great! Looks wonderful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
More so, vegan, but thanks!
Lori Geurin
You always come up with the most delicious gluten-free recipes, Rebecca! These bagels look amazing and I love the healthy addition of the veggies too! Can't wait to try the recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well yea, that's what you get with a lox bagel.
Crysta
Looks good! I'd eat this. I once had a carrot hot dog that was really tasty. It didn't taste like meat, but I didn't need it to. The flavors paired well.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Carrot hot dogs are great! And obviously, a carrot will never taste like meat.....
Meaghan
These look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!