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Smoked Salmon Dip is the perfect appetizer for smoked salmon lovers. This salmon dip recipe combines flavorful and tender chunks of hot smoked salmon, a mix of cream cheese, crème fraiche, and seasoning. In this recipe, you can substitute with lox if you don’t have a smoker.
We have served this recipe at events throughout the Northwest, and It’s always a huge hit! When it comes to a smoked salmon dip, it’s about starting with high-quality smoked salmon. If you don’t own a smoker, that’s okay. You can buy smoked salmon, or you can use lox.
Table of Contents
Ingredients + Substitutions
Most recipes you find for a “smoked salmon dip” or “salmon spread” are very cream-heavy. You’ll find large proportions of cream cheese (or sour cream, mayo, etc.) and a small proportion of the actual fish. They also often tend to use store-bought lox or shrink-wrapped salmon. We want to go heavy on salmon first. And not just any salmon, hot smoked salmon!
- Smoked Salmon – You can make your own smoked salmon or buy it in the grocery store near your butcher case. Alternatively, you can use lox, which is a cold smoked salmon with a saltier taste. You can also substitute steelhead or trout in this recipe for a similar flavor. But I’m telling you, the flavor of home-smoked salmon can’t be beat!
- Cream Cheese – This gives the dish its richness. Make sure it’s had a chance to come to room temperature or is properly softened. We prefer full-fat cream cheese for the texture and taste.
- Crème Fraiche – An alternative to heavy cream, this adds a light body without being overly cheesy. It’s very similar to sour cream, so if you can’t find it, then substitute the same portions with your favorite sour cream.
- Citrus – A squeeze of lemon adds a nice bite.
- Dill – Fresh dill both in the dip and sprinkled over the top gives the salmon flavor a pop and nice presentation.
Preparation
Be sure your salmon is crumbled into smaller pieces, but not too small! I like to see actual chunks of salmon in my dip. As you are crumbling the salmon, remove any pin bones you may find and dispose of them.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to make it all easier to combine.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on how creamy (or not) you want the dish.
How To Make Smoked Salmon Dip
- Start by combining all the ingredients, except the salmon, in a large bowl. Mix to combine.
- Add most of the salmon chunks and gently fold in the mixture. Reserve a few pieces of salmon to add to the top of the dip.
- Place the dip in your serving bowl and then top with the reserved salmon pieces. Add some smoked finishing salt for an added flavor bonus (or any flake salt).
Scaling Up and Storage
If scaling up this for a crowd follow the same portions. Be sure to reserve enough salmon to top the bowl with.
Storage: Keep the salmon dip in the refrigerator, in an airtight container for 3-4 days. We will typically smoke and make the dip the day prior to eating it. Makes for a great make-ahead smoked salmon dip for a group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For the best smoked salmon dip, we recommend hot smoked salmon for the more pronounced smoked flavor. If you can only find lox, or cold smoked salmon, then be sure to lower your salt in the recipe to account for the curing flavor in the lox.
Lox is typically cold smoked and cured salmon versus a hot smoked salmon. The flavor and texture has a different flavor profile. But you can use either in this recipe in the same portion.
What To Eat With Smoked Salmon Dip
- Warm baguette slices or crostini
- Sturdy Crackers
- Vegetables (like celery or carrots)
- Serve this dip in a bread bowl or smear on your favorite bagels
Wine Pairing for Smoked Salmon Dip
I’ve paired this smoked salmon dip recipe with a wide range of styles and wines. My favorites are domestic Riesling from the United States and sparkling wine (especially rosé sparkling). The creamy textures do well with a wine with high acidity. The acidity cuts through the cheese and refreshes your palate between bites.
Other Dip Recipe Ideas From the Grill
- Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Grilled Baked Brie with Wine and Thyme
- Sausage and Bean Queso Dip
- Greek Yogurt Green Chile Dip
Other Salmon Recipes
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Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
Ingredients
- 8 ounces smoked salmon fillet, (roughly 1 overflowing cup full)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons crème fraîche, or whole fat Greek yogurt , (sour cream can work as a substitute too)
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper, a few twists of the pepper grinder
- ¼ teaspoon teaspoon smoked salt, for garnish, (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Prepare your smoked salmon by breaking the cooked (and cooled) meat up into pieces. You don’t want it shredded, but instead broken up into small chunks with your fingers. Also pay attention to any bones that may be in there and remove any you may see.
- Whisk: In a separate bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, crème fraîche (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.
- Combine: Start to combine the salmon into the dip (reserving about ¼ of the salmon pieces). Gently incorporate them together. Taste and adjust for your preferences (this is the time to add more cream cheese or crème fraîche should you wish it to have more of a creamy texture).
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish. Add the remainder of the salmon pieces to the top of the salmon/cream mixture and sprinkle with the optional smoked salt. Serve with crostini.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This sounds so good- I love that it’s less dairy heavy. I was thinking it would be awesome with a rose’!
This is one of my favorite appetizers! So much flavor – without being too heavy/creamy.
Thank you!!!! How about fried sage and mozzarella….that sound good too 🙂
Smoked salmon dip sounds like the perfect appetizer for enjoying with a glass of wine this summer. Thank you!
Thank YOU! And it is definitely a winner of an appetizer. Always a favorite with family and friends. Thanks for the comment 🙂
Wow… looks so so dreamy. And it pairs with Rose? Get out of my head, why don’t you! 😉 Well done!
Haha! Well, it is my favorite pairing. And the perfect summer wine as well!! Cheers
The salmon dip looks amazing. Love it
Thanks ChiChi! I promise, it definitely tastes amazing too! Cheers
Loved being able to interview you. Those pictures are AMAZING, I can almost taste the dip! We had a smoked salmon dip last weekend and paired it with a sparkling Rose as well. Mia Sparkling Moscato Rosé from Freixenet. Worked really well. Can’t wait to try YOUR recipe, using dill I’m growing in my garden 🙂
Yum! There’s nothing like fresh grown dill! I’m “attempting” to grow my own dill (and a number of other herbs) right now for this summer. We’ll see if they survive the seed period (crossing my fingers!). The salmon is truly tasty. It does, however, really depend on how you cook the salmon, so take good care when you cook (or smoke) it. Since it is the primary ingredient, it’s what will stand out the most. And great to know good minds think alike when pairing salmon dip with sparkling rose 🙂 Cheers