Valentina's Corner
This homemade smoked salmon dip is a creamy herb salmon dip with hints of lemon and smoky flavor from the salmon. The dip can be served with chips, crackers or vegetables as an appetizer, a potluck spread, or added to a charcuterie board spread.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Smoked salmon dip is a creamy seafood dip based on cream cheese and sour cream whipped together with fresh salmon and chopped herbs. The dip is an elegant yet simple dish to serve during the holidays or for a party.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Quick appetizer. For holidays or parties requiring lots of prep, the salmon dip is a great addition that takes little time to make.
- Crowd pleaser. The dip feels fancy from the zesty cream cheese and smoky salmon. It’s sure to impress your guests.
- Spreadable. The dip can be enjoyed as a dip or as a spread for sandwiches.
- Great for all meals. Serve for brunch, as a light lunch, or as an appetizer for dinner.
Smoked Salmon Dip Ingredients
The ingredients for the dip for smoked salmon add incredible fresh flavor and complement each other nicely.
- Smoked salmon – pick a high-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor. Or, use a few ounces of leftover salmon, detailed below.
- Cream cheese – regular brick cream cheese, or low-fat cream cheese, can be used.
- Sour cream – for a creamier dip, add regular, or light, sour cream.
- Seasoning – lemon-pepper seasoning is the key ingredient for that zing.
- Fresh herbs – freshly chopped dill and green onion (or fresh chives) give a garden-fresh pop of flavor.
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip
The dip truly is so simple to make and comes together in just 5 minutes.
- Make the base: In a medium mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, and lemon pepper seasoning and beat together until creamy and well combined.
- Add herbs and salmon: Chop the salmon, fresh dill, and green onion. Add the chopped ingredients to the cream cheese blend. Taste for salt and add a pinch of salt if desired, keeping in mind the salmon typically adds a level of saltiness to the dip.
- Transfer and top: Transfer the dip into your serving bowl. Top with additional salmon and herbs for presentation.
- Serve and enjoy, friends!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are several variations to the dip for you to try!
- Add capers: Add a briny flavor by adding a few tablespoons of chopped or whole capers.
- Hot sauce: To add spice, add hot sauce, starting with ¼ teaspoon and increasing as desired.
- Lemon: To amplify lemon flavor, add about a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of lemon zest.
- Greek yogurt: Substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt for more protein.
Serving Suggestions
This smoked salmon dip recipe is the perfect addition to a charcuterie board or to an appetizer spread.
- With veggies: Pair the dip with sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, celery stalks, or baby carrots.
- With crackers: Serve with bagel chips, pretzel crisps, saltines, or your choice of crackers.
- Spread on a bagel: Use the dip as a cream cheese spread for a bagel sandwich, topped with sliced cucumbers, red onions, and capers for a smoked salmon bagel. Or, spread over baguette slices.
REcipe FAQs
Yes, just about any leftover salmon will work instead of smoked salmon. If you have leftover air fryer salmon, our grilled salmon, or even pan-seared salmon will all work.
Yes, you can swap out the smoked salmon for a different kind of smoked fish. Smoked trout and smoked cod are good alternatives.
Smoked salmon is cooked using a smoker, so while the dip is served cold, it is not raw! The salmon is fully cooked and the rest of the ingredients don’t need cooking.
You can mix the dip with a hand mixer or make the dip in a food processor for even easier blending and less cleanup. Pulse until combined, but be sure not to over-blend the salmon.
Yes, you can substitute the lemon season for 2 tsp fresh lemon juice and a dash or salt and pepper.
Store & Freeze
- Storage. Keep salmon dip in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it’s stored, resulting in even better flavor. Let sit for a few minutes before serving, as the dip hardens in the fridge.
- Freeze. We do not recommend freezing the dip, as the combination of ingredients will lose their texture after thawing.
More Dip Recipes
If you loved this dip, also try these dip favorites!
Cold Smoked Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese room temp
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 oz smoked salmon chopped
- 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 Tbsp green onion chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and the lemon pepper seasoning. Beat together with an electric mixer or by hand until creamy.
- Add the chopped salmon, dill, green onion to the cream cheese mixture and mix gently to combine all of the ingredients.
- Transfer the dip to your serving bowl. Top with more chopped salmon, dill, and some chopped green onion for presentation.
- Serve and enjoy, friends!
Notes
- Serve: Serve the dip with veggies, crackers, bagel crisps, or tortilla chips. Or, smear on bagels for an easy brunch.
- Store: Store the dip refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Before serving, allow the dip to stand at room temperature for the cream cheese to re-soften.