Smoked salmon dip made with cream cheese, lemon, and of course all the flavors of a beautifully smoked salmon. Use this dip with veggies, crackers, or on top of your morning bagel. This easy salmon dip is quick to make and is sure to be a party favorite.
Salmon is one of our family's favorite things to eat. And luckily for us, living in the Pacific Northwest grants us access to all the fresh salmon year-round. Having a freezer full of fresh fish is just the best.
Grilling,braising, and pan-frying fish are all great ways to prepare salmon, but summer cannot come to an end without some homemade smoked salmon.
This easy smoked salmon dip recipe is very simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. You really want the salmon to speak for itself and let those smokey flavors come through.
Serve with an assortment of crackers, celery sticks, cucumber slices, bagel chips, or lather on a toasted bagel or homemade sourdough bread. It makes for a perfect appetizer that everyone will love.
Do you love seafood dips? Be sure to check out this hot and cheesy crab dip or a baked clam dip.
🐟Ingredients
Smoked Salmon: While you are preparing your salmon, double-check for any bones. The flavor of the dip really relies on the salmon itself so make sure to seek out the best quality smoked salmon that you can. Or learn how to smoke salmon on a pellet grill.
Cream Cheese: Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about an hour prior to making the dip. This will make it soft enough to get the smoothest texture and soften up before you whip it.
Fresh Chives: Can be substituted with dried chives but fresh will give you the best flavor.
Greek Yogurt: This is a lighter option and does add a nice tang to this dip. Sour cream can also be substituted.
See full information on ingredients and quantities in the recipe card.
🥣How to Make
Step 1: Prepare the salmon by removing any bones and breaking them up into small pieces, and placing them in a small bowl. Set aside. (Image 1).
Step 2: Take the softened cream cheese, mayo, greek yogurt, and fresh lemon juice, and in a small bowl mix it with a hand mixer until it is completely smooth with no lumps. (Image 2).
💡Important Note: Step 2 is so important. Once the salmon is added we can't go back and whip the cream cheese more. Make sure it is completely light and smooth.
Step 3: Add in salt, pepper, garlic, and chives and mix again until fully incorporated. (Image 3).
Step 4: Fold in the pieces of salmon with a wooden spoon or spatula. Do not use a hand mixer as this will break up the salmon even more. (Image 4).
Step 5: Cover and put in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours up to overnight. The smoked salmon dip is almost better the next day because it allows all those flavors to come together.
🍽Ways to Serve
Serve this dip with a variety of things. Here are just a few ideas:
- Crackers
- Fresh Bread
- Celery
- Carrots
- Bagel
- Pretzels
- Potato Chips
❓Recipe FAQs
This dip will keep 2-3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Yes it can be, however, when freezing anything dairy it will not thaw out great and the taste and texture will not be the same. It's best to eat within a few days.
🦀Other Seafood Dips
📋Recipe
Smoked Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 1 8 ounce Pack of Cream Cheese - Softened
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon Greek Yogurt
- Juice from 1 Lemon - About 2 tbsp, add more if needed
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Chives - Chopped
- 1 Garlic Clove - Pressed
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper to Taste
- 8 onces Smoked Salmon
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon by removing any bones and breaking them up into small pieces, and placing them in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Take the softened cream cheese, mayo, greek yogurt, and fresh lemon and in a small bowl mix it with a hand mixer until it is completely smooth with no lumps.
- Add in salt, pepper, garlic, and chives and mix again until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the pieces of salmon with a wooden spoon or spatula. Do not use a hand mixer as this will break up the salmon even more.
- Cover and put in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours up to overnight. The smoked salmon dip is almost better the next day because it allows all those flavors to come together.
- Serve and enjoy with crackers, bread, veggies or as a topping for your morning bagel.
I made this for a get together and it was a hit! Easy to put together, served with some crackers and it was gone by the end of the night.