Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (2024)

This Smoked Salmon Dip is the perfect appetizer for your next holiday party. The smoked salmon, fresh lemon juice, and chives give an irresistible flavor to the cream cheese base, and the whole recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes. Serve the dip alongside your favorite crunchy crackers or veggies sticks.

If you’re planning a sophisticated menu, this smoked salmon spread is a bit more fancy than our other fan-favorite appetizers, like Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip and Grape Jelly Meatballs, but just as irresistible. It feels decadent and always disappears immediately!

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (1)

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Easy Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

I spent quite some time developing the perfect salmon dip recipe, and I lit up when I tried it and told my hubby, “This is it!” I was so excited! Then, I tested it out for my sister’s baby shower, and it was a huge hit! It’s now my go-to recipe. I love it so much that we featured it as part of our Bagel Bar in the Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook!

Why do I love it so much? This salmon dip recipe isa great way to stretch a priceypackage of smoked salmon and impressa hungry crowd. The ingredients are so simple, and it’s better than any store-bought version I’ve tried.

Why this Recipe Works

  • Make Ahead—keeps well in the fridge for easier party prep
  • Crowd-favorite—the fresh ingredients make this a show-stopper appetizer
  • Diet-friendly—Gluten-free, low-carb, vegetarian, and Keto-friendly (substitute baguette for sliced veggies)
  • Festive—see our tips for presentation below
  • 6 Ingredients—after you have the fish, you need only 5 more pantry staples
  • Quick and Easy—comes together in 5 minutes!

Ingredients

If you’re looking for smoked salmon recipes, this salmon dip has only 6 ingredients, so it’s simple to make something truly delicious.

  • Cream cheese – room temperature so it mixes well
  • Sour cream – give the dip a bit of tanginess, but can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt if needed
  • Lemon juice – freshly squeezed juice is best since it cuts through the thick cream cheese flavor and gives it the easy-to-dip texture
  • Salt – to taste—this depends on the saltiness of the smoked salmon, taste first, season second.
  • Tabasco hot sauce – add to taste for more or less heat. You can substitute Sriracha in a pinch for a slightly different flavor
  • Smoked Salmon – 1 cup of chopped fish. We use Lox but hot-smoked salmon flakeswill work.
  • Fresh Chives – 1 Tbsp chopped, and save extra for garnish
  • For Serving: Sliced baguette, Bagel chips, Pita Chips, crostinis, veggie sticks, cucumber slices, etc (see our How to Serve section below for more ideas)
Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (2)

Pro Tip:

You can make your own Homemade Lox Salmon, but we get ours at Costco. When buying smoked salmon at your local grocery store, make sure it isn’t pre-seasoned and try to get wild-caught, cold-smoked, and without added sugar.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip

This one-dish salmon dip comes together in only 5 minutes and with two easy steps:

  • Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and Tabasco in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until well blended.
  • Add chopped smoked salmon and chives and pulse a few times just to combine. Add more salt or pepper if desired and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (3)

Pro Tip:

You can stir the mixture together in a bowl with an electric hand mixer if you don’t have a food processor, just be sure there aren’t lumps remaining in the first step before adding the salmon.

Common Questions

What is Salmon Dip made of?

Smoked salmon is the star ingredient in this dip. The base is cream cheese with sour cream to thin the cheese. Then flavors like lemon, chives, and hot sauce give the dip incredible acidity and kick.

What do you eat smoked salmon dip with?

We usually serve smoked salmon dip with crackers or veggie sticks as an appetizer, and you can also serve on bagels. See our How to Serve section below for more ideas.

How long can I eat smoked salmon after opening?

Once you open the package, the fish only lasts for a week, so if you’re looking for more smoked salmon recipes, try our Smoked Salmon Salad (Shuba) and Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. This recipe is a great way to feed a crowd, and any leftovers keep well in the fridge.

Is smoked salmon dip the same as salmon spread?

Yes, the terms are used interchangeably and this dip can be served as a spread for bagels.

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (4)

How to Serve Smoked Salmon Dip

This is one of our favorite appetizers to serve—it’s so versatile and looks great on the appetizer table. Here are some ideas:

  • Serve with dippers: crackers, Pita Chips, bagel chips, crostinis, mini breadsticks, baguette slices (like our Bruschetta), or veggies cut in sticks or scoops such as peppers, celery, carrots, or cucumbers
  • Bagel Bar – The perfect spread to include as part of a bagel bar (as seen in our cookbook)
  • Build-your-own dip: serve salmon dip alongside a variety of dippers/crackers and small bowls of toppings, such as capers, chopped olives, chopped red onion, fresh dill, lemon zest, minced garlic, or shallots.
  • Charcuterie board – perfect to serve as part of a meat platter
  • Create a Mold – After mixing, spoon the dip into a festive mold and refrigerate before releasing the mold on a serving tray

Make-Ahead

This smoked salmon dip recipe is easy to make ahead. Simply store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

  • To Refrigerate: store in an airtight container for up to 5 days (or until the expiration date on the fish
  • Can I freeze Smoked Salmon Dip? Since the ingredients in this dip don’t hold up well to freezing, we don’t recommend freezing this smoked salmon dip.
Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (5)

Smoked salmon dip is the perfect appetizer recipe to serve if you’re looking for a sophisticated, fancy spread, but it’s quick and easy to make. Your guests will love the creamy taste, so be sure to add this to your next holiday menu.

More Appetizer Recipes

If you’re searching for more appetizer recipes to serve with Smoked Salmon Dip on your holiday menu, here are some of our favorite recipes:

  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Fresh Spring Rolls
  • Hummus Recipe
  • Cheese Ball Recipe
  • Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Shrimp co*cktail
  • Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

5 from 36 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (7)

This smoked salmon dip is a great appetizer for your holiday or party menu. The creamy texture is perfectly complimented by the lemon juice, hot sauce, and smoky salmon. If you're looking for recipies with smoked salmon, this is a great way to stretch the package and impress a hungry crowd.

The spread comes together in 5 quick minutes and keeps well in the fridge to make party prep simple. Your guests will love this dip, so add it to your menu today!

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 10 servings

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, 4 oz
  • 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Tabasco hot sauce, or to taste
  • 4 oz smoked salmon, (about 1 cup chopped)**see note
  • 1 Tbsp Chives, chopped plus more for garnish

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a food processor, add 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce. Pulse until well blended.

  • Once evenly blended, add 4 oz chopped salmon and 1 Tbsp chives to the food processor and pulse a few times just to combine. Taste, and add more salt or pepper if desired. Then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Makes 2 cups of Dip

Price may vary by your location and market value.
**Note: Lox (as pictured) or hot-smoked salmon flakes work in this recipe. Look for cold-smoked, wild-caught salmon that isn’t pre-seasoned.

Nutrition Per Serving

3Tbsp Serving109kcal Calories2g Carbs4g Protein10g Fat5g Saturated Fat0.5g Polyunsaturated Fat3g Monounsaturated Fat30mg Cholesterol233mg Sodium76mg Potassium0.01g Fiber1g Sugar366IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C40mg Calcium0.1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

Serving Size

3 Tbsp

Amount per Serving

Calories

109

% Daily Value*

Fat

10

g

15

%

Saturated Fat

5

g

31

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.5

g

Monounsaturated Fat

3

g

Sodium

233

mg

10

%

Potassium

76

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

2

g

1

%

Fiber

0.01

g

%

Sugar

1

g

1

%

Protein

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

366

IU

7

%

Vitamin C

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

40

mg

4

%

Iron

0.1

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: smoked salmon dip, smoked salmon dip recipe, Smoked Salmon Spread

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 109

Natasha Kravchuk

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (8)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is smoked salmon dip made of? ›

Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, capers, 1/2 of the smoked salmon and Tabasco in a food processor or hand blender. Pulse until blended.

How do you make Captain Jim's Alaska smoked salmon dip? ›

Smoked Salmon Dip

Warm cream cheese to room temperature. Add two cans of Captain Jim's Gourmet Alaskan Smoked Salmon (including skin and oil). Mix together with fork; shape into a ball; refrigerate for two hours to blend flavors. Ground nuts or finely chopped parsley may be added for garnish.

What cheese goes with smoked salmon? ›

Cheese to use with smoked salmon

Cream cheese is the classic, obvious choice to pair with lox, but other soft cheeses such as goat cheese, labneh, brie, or feta (my favorite!) could work as well. To make my feta more spreadable, I break it up with the back of a spoon and mix it with some quality extra virgin olive oil.

What pairs well with smoked salmon? ›

Easy Pairings for Smoked Salmon
  • With crackers, softened cream cheese and capers.
  • Tossed into a green salad with a lemony dressing.
  • Stirred into hot pasta with a light tomato sauce, green onions, fresh parsley and extra-virgin olive oil.

How is traditional smoked salmon made? ›

After the salmon is rinsed, it is dried on wire racks. At this point, the salmon is already largely preserved from the curing. After a quick drying process, the salmon fillets are loaded into the smoker. Cold smoking, which yields a smooth, silky texture, requires a temperature of less than 90 degrees fahrenheit.

How long does smoked salmon last in the fridge? ›

Nailing the Fridge Shelf Life:

So, how long can we expect our smoked salmon to dance in the fridge? Well, on average, when stored right, it can strut its stuff for about 3 to 4 days sometime up to a week. But remember, trust your instincts! Give it a good look, a sniff, and a feel to ensure it's still a safe catch.

What is in the smokehouse salmon pate? ›

Ingredients: cream cheese, hot smoked salmon, mustard, horseradish, brandy, chilli, tomato paste, lemon juice. Contains egg yolk & gluten.

What is smoked fish dip made of? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cream cheese spread, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and Old Bay in a medium bowl. Pulse smoked fish in a food processor until finely chopped, about 10 times. Add chopped fish to mayonnaise mixture and fold to combine.

Do you rinse salmon before smoking? ›

After thoroughly rinsing the salt from the fish, allow it to dry before smoking. The surface should be dry to the touch and shiny. This will also cut the smoking time.

What do Germans typically eat with their smoked salmon? ›

Smoked fish is served cold. Germans typically have it with some white bread or with a side of boiled potatoes.

What cheese is best with salmon? ›

Salmon stands up well to strong flavors, so mix blue cheese, goat cheese or feta cheese with a little sour cream and fresh herbs in a blender and spread on burgers. Mild, soft white cheeses frequently sold in small tubs are ideal for spreading on burgers with tangy condiments.

What do Swedes eat with smoked salmon? ›

On this day, Swedes eat smoked salmon and herring and drink Aquavit or 'snaps'. There is an age-old tradition of food and drink that goes hand in hand with the Swedish Midsummer festivities. When it comes to drinking 'snaps', there are countless varieties and flavours.

What is the best way to enjoy smoked salmon? ›

Our favourite ways with smoked salmon
  1. Smoked salmon risotto. ...
  2. Smoked salmon with eggs. ...
  3. Smoked salmon with scones and potato cakes. ...
  4. Smoked salmon pâté ...
  5. Smoked salmon gratin. ...
  6. Smoked salmon sushi and smaller bites. ...
  7. Potted smoked salmon. ...
  8. Smoked salmon tart.
Dec 21, 2020

How do you serve ready to eat smoked salmon? ›

Since it is already 'cooked', you can eat the succulent slices straight off the package (my personal favorite); put it on toast with cream cheese for a great quick snack; make yourself a smoked salmon sandwich on the go; or prepare a four-course gourmet meal based on the delicate treat.

What's the difference between lox and smoked salmon? ›

Here's the main difference: smoked salmon is cured and then smoked, whereas lox is only cured, typically in a salt brine and typically for longer periods of time, but not smoked. Smoked salmon is preserved with a combination of salting and smoking, so the flavor can be slightly salty and slightly smoky.

What are the ingredients in Goldbergs smoked salmon dip? ›

cheese culture), lox (salmon, salt, sugar, sodium nitrite, nisin, natural hardwood smoke)), sour cream (cultured cream, skim milk, vitamin a palmitate), red onion, cherry tomatoes, capers, scallions, dill, lemon juice, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced garlic, vinegar and natural flavoring.

What is the difference between salmon and smoked salmon? ›

Smoked salmon is a preparation of salmon that has been cured or smoked at certain temperature. This process is considered as food preservation that may include adding salt, sugar, nitrate, or smoking and flavoring the fish.

Is smoked salmon real salmon? ›

Somewhere along the way, these salt-curing and smoke-curing methods merged, creating another type of preserved salmon. To make smoked salmon, producers usually start with a whole side of fish and lightly cure it in salt by way of a rub or brine. It's then smoked, preserving it further.

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