Smoked Salmon Dip
This is the BEST smoked salmon dip that’s creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, as a party appetizer, or as a spread for sandwiches, this dip never disappoints. Creamy and bright cream cheese is whipped together and combined with fresh dill, red onion, and plenty of smoked salmon for a dip that tastes bright and flavorful to balance out the creamy and savory flavors.
This smoked salmon dip is one of my signature dips!
I started making in my 20s, and here we are, 20 years later, and it’s still one of my signature dips and always gets rave reviews.
Serve the dip with a variety of crackers and you’ve got the perfect make-ahead party appetizer that’s fancy enough for everything from brunches to baby showers and easy enough for weeknight spring picnics outside. It’s…
🍽️ Elegant and easy: This dip feels elevated without the extra work (shhhh!).
🍋 Bright and balanced: The base is cream cheese, but fresh lemon juice and dill bring freshness and flavor.
🥣 Comes together fast: Simply whip the cream cheese, stir in the rest of the ingredients, and chill.
🎉 Party-perfect: This dip can be served any time of day, making it ideal for brunch, holidays, or happy hour.
🥪 Versatile: Serve with crackers, bagels, bagel chips, and/or veggies.
👨👩👧👦 Crowd-friendly: It’s always one of the first things gone!
You’ll also want to try my cowboy caviar, whipped feta dip, Greek yogurt veggie dip, and black bean hummus.
Made this smoked salmon dip for my Ladies Book Study. It was a huge hit. Delicious.
–Cindi
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need a few fresh ingredients for this dip: cream cheese, lemon juice, red onion, fresh dill, smoked salmon, crackers, bagel chips, and/or veggies for serving.
- You can use cured salmon (lox) or hot-smoked salmon. They are similar but have slightly different flavors and textures. Cured salmon has a brighter flavor and color and isn’t quite as flaky. This is what you’ll typically find if you get a lox and bagel sandwich. Hot smoked salmon has a more smoky flavor, a flakier texture, and a more muted color. It is more delicate than cold-smoked lox, so be extra gentle when you’re folding it into the cream cheese mixture.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Soften the cream cheese: For the creamiest dip, let the cream cheese soften for at least 20 minutes, before mixing! This helps ensure it whips perfectly.
- Additions: There are so many different additions you can try for this dip! The video (see it below) went viral and there are so many ideas and variations! Popular ideas were horseradish, capers, garlic, chives,
Serving Suggestions
You’ve got options! Crackers are a must, but you can also serve the dip with veggies and/or crostini as well.
- Crackers – Wondering what crackers go with salmon dip? Just about any! I like using a classic water cracker like Carr’s or these wafer crackers, but you can really use any type of cracker – Ritz crackers, everything bagel seasoned crackers, etc.
- Bagel chips – Make your own or buy them at the store, but this is the perfect bagel dip recipe! You can even spread it right on fresh bagels too.
- Veggies – Try raw veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, celery stalks, radishes, or snap peas.
- Crostini – Serve with crispy crostini, or toasted rye bread pieces.
Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
Description
This easy smoked salmon dip is creamy, bright, and packed with flavor! Made with cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon, and smoked salmon.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. minced red onion
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
- 6 oz. cured smoked salmon (lox)
- crackers, bread, and/or veggies for serving
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese and lemon juice together until smooth.
- Cut up lox into small pieces.
- Add onion and dill to the lemon cream cheese and stir to combine.
- Fold smoked salmon into the cream cheese mixture and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve with crackers or bread.
Notes
Makes: 2 cups
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
Ingredient notes: Use high-quality smoked salmon. Both hot-smoked and cold-smoked work, but each has a different texture. Full-fat cream cheese yields the creamiest result.
Prep ahead: Can be made up to 24 hours in advance. The flavor will just get better.
Special tools: No tools required, but a hand mixer makes for an extra-fluffy texture, and I highly recommend it! These beautiful ceramic serving platters are great for entertaining.
Viral Salmon Dip on Instagram
This salmon dip video went viral on Instagram! Watch below to see how easy this recipe is or click through to the video to read some of the great reviews:
FAQs
This will depend a bit on your personal preference. You can use cured salmon (lox) or hot smoked salmon. They are similar but have slightly different flavors and textures. Cured salmon has a brighter flavor and color and isn’t quite as flaky. This is what you’ll typically find if you get a Lox and bagel sandwich. Hot smoked salmon has a more smoky flavor, a flakier texture, and a more muted color. I prefer to use lox in this salmon dip, but you can also use smoked salmon if you want more of a smoky flavor.
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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One of my coworkers brought a smoked salmon dip to share for lunch one day and it was so good! And your whipped lemon cream cheese in there sounds divine! 🙂
I am intrigued by the whipped lemon cream cheese
It was really good – I was thinking about all of the other things I could do with that… 🙂
This looks so light and delicious! I love making salmon spread/salad with leftovers! So good on crackers or a bagel!
I love salmon! I definitely do not consume as much as I’d like. This seems like such great finger food for parties!
I love love love this idea. I always make a smoked salmon platter when I entertain. I think it’s always beautiful and delicious. I love your idea for a dip! Yum!
Smoked salmon makes everything better 🙂 this looks delicious!
Oooh, man, I want some smoked salmon now! I’m loving your simple but elegant dishes lately, Emily!
That is usually my goal!! 🙂
Whipped lemon cream cheese sounds delightful!!
What a lovely looking recipe!
OOOOO I’ve never had smoked salmon dip, but you had me at smoked salmon!
just came across the blog and I love everything about it! Your recipes and info are just great!
Thank you!! 🙂
just came across the blog and I love everything about it! Your recipes and info are just great!
Ever since we got back from Ireland I have been craving smoked salmon. It’s one of those things that I never buy for my own kitchen. This dip just might convince that it’s about time though. It sounds so great!
Ohhhh I wonder if I could try this with tofutti! Looks amazing!
Took this to a party and it was a hit!
FYI- LOX IS NOT SMOKED. It is cured only. Either way, good basic recipe.
Thank you,
Yummy. I was sent three packages of lox from my grocery box, since I forgot to go in and change the cart. I needed to do something with all the lox. I don’t eat bagels enough and I didn’t want it to go bad so I froze it and decided to make it into a dip for the Super Bowl. I found your recipe. I also have a lemon tree so this was awesome. Got to use some of my lemons. I did add garlic and I wish I would’ve read about the part of adding capers that would’ve been really yummy. I’m not a dill fan so I put in chives and the red onions. It was a big hit.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it, Anne! Love the chives addition.
Made this for my sisters birthday lunch. Everybody loved it ! Has anyone tried it hot?
I’m so glad! I have not tried this…I’m curious! Let us know if you give it a try. I think it could work?!
Made this Smoked Salmon Dip for my Ladies Book Study. It was a huge hit. Delicious.
Oh it is the perfect app for ladies book groups! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
I’m smoking salmon as well speak then I come across your smoked salmon dip now im intrigued and it must be a sign lol im going to give it a shot and make this for father’s day guests.
I was just talking about how good freshly smoked salmon is! The dip will look a bit different as the pictures use cold smoked, but will be delicious!