Name: Salmon Rillettes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 cups white wine; 2 tablespoons minced shallots; 1 pound fresh, skinned salmon fillet (cut into 1-inch pieces); 3 ounces smoked salmon (diced); 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives; 6 tablespoons mayonnaise; 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper; Toasted baguette slices (for serving)

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An elegant spread for your next party, these easy Salmon Rillettes hail from Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin in NYC. A combination of lightly poached fresh salmon and diced smoked salmon is the ultimate example of sophistication. Seafood lovers will flip for this starter.

closeup of salmon rillettes in a yellow bowl

(This recipe was originally published in October 2013, but was updated with new photos and content in 2020).

I first had the pleasure of enjoying salmon rillettes during lunch at Le Bernardin in New York City. The three Michelin starred restaurant only serves this popular spread during lunch service.

I've dined at Le Bernardin twice for lunch, and both times swooned over the salmon rillettes. It's the perfect start before being wooed by the rest of the meal. If you ever have the opportunity to dine at Le Bernardin, I absolutely recommend it!

Although the food is the absolute star at this seafood forward New York City institution, a celebrity sighting is just as exciting. My sister and I were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the Le Bernardin kitchen and meet Eric Ripert himself. Dreams really do come true, folks!

Eric Ripert with fans in the Le Bernardin kitchen

Eric Ripert's Salmon Rillettes recipe is available in his Avec Eric cookbook, which I happily own. Considering it comes from one of the best chefs in the world, and one of the best restaurants anywhere, this dish is so straightforward and easy to prepare! The key is to use really good ingredients and not to over dress or over season it.

What are rillettes?

The French term rillettes is traditionally used to describe a preparation of meat similar to pâté. Pieces of meat, usually pork, are slow cooked in fat for many hours, and then shredded and stored in small glass containers. They're then covered in a layer of fat to help preserve them.

You can't apply the same slow-cooked technique to seafood, but you can mimic the concept of shredded meat cloaked in flavorful fat. In this case, the salmon is lightly poached in wine, then combined with diced smoked salmon and mayonnaise which acts as the fat.

When you compare this seafood variation of rillettes to the traditional meat version, this is so much faster and easier. Channel your inner Eric Ripert and make this delicious recipe for your next party!

overhead view of salmon rillettes garnished with chives in a yellow bowl

How to make it

Cut fresh, skinless salmon into 1-inch cubes (PHOTO 1). Add minced shallots to white wine and bring to a boil. Simmer for a couple minutes until the shallots are tender (PHOTO 2). Then, add fresh salmon, and gently poach for another few minutes until just cooked through (PHOTO 3).

Remove the mixture from the heat, and use a slotted spoon to strain out the salmon pieces onto a baking sheet or dish lined with a paper towel. Then, strain the wine and reserve the cooked shallots, and add them to the poached salmon. Cool completely before moving on (it shouldn't take too long since everything is cut up small) (PHOTO 4).

In a mixing bowl add the poached salmon and cooked shallots, diced smoked salmon, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped chives, salt and pepper (PHOTO 5). Make sure you don't over dress or over mix. You want the rillettes to be lightly coated in dressing, and somewhat chunky--not a paste or puree (PHOTO 6).

step by step photos of how to make salmon rillettes

That's pretty much it! It sounds so simple (and it is) but it comes together perfectly. You can make this up to 1 day in advance, and refrigerate in a covered container until you're ready to serve.

Please scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe (in a printable recipe card) including ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.

bowl of salmon rillettes garnished with chives, a basket of toasted baguette slices in background

These salmon rillettes are a revelation. They are an excellent starter to any meal, French, seafood-based, or otherwise. Your guests will never know how easy it is to prepare (guests at Le Bernardin never guess either!). It's a far easier way to enjoy some of the gourmet bites at one of the world's best restaurants from the comfort of your own kitchen.

How to serve them

Serve your salmon rillettes with toasted baguette slices. Use a good quality baguette from a local bakery, slice it thinly on the bias, very lightly brush or spray with olive oil on one side, and toast it in a 375 degree F oven for about 10 minutes just until crisp. Guests can scoop salmon rillettes onto the baguette slices to enjoy.

baguette slices arranged on a baking sheet — Before toasting

Alternatively you could serve this as a more composed starter, by topping all the baguettes with rillettes (almost like bruschetta or canapés), but I think the serve yourself option is better.

If you have leftovers, use them like you would tuna salad and make a sandwich!

2 toasted baguette slices on a yellow napkin, 1 topped with salmon rillettes spread

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