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Best Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

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Trust me when I say, this is the BEST smoked salmon dip recipe! One bite and I’m sure you’ll understand. Creamy and bright cream cheese is whipped together (you should also try my whipped lemon feta dip!) and then combined with fresh dill, red onion, and plenty of smoked salmon for a dip that tastes bright and flavorful. Serve the salmon cream cheese 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…well…weeknight spring picnics outside.

It’s no secret that we love salmon (hi panko salmon, air fryer salmon, and salmon stir fry to name a few) at our house, but we also like, no, LOVE, smoked salmon. If you find yourself with some extra salmon after you make this salmon dip with cream cheese, serve up a bagels and lox spread or make my smoked salmon sandwich. You can find smoked salmon at any grocery store, and if you shop at TJ, check out my Trader Joe’s smoked salmon review.

Smoked salmon dip with crackers and veggies

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Table Of Contents
  1. What You'll Love About Salmon Cream Cheese Dip
  2. Healthy Salmon Dip Ingredients
  3. How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip
  4. FAQs
  5. Storage Instructions
  6. What to Serve with Smoked Salmon Dips
  7. Want More?
  8. More Easy Appetizer Recipes
  9. Let me Meal Plan for you!

What You’ll Love About Salmon Cream Cheese Dip

  • Incredibly delicious
  • Great to make ahead for parties
  • Just 10 minutes total time
  • Made with just 5 ingredients

Healthy Salmon Dip Ingredients

You’ll need just 5 basic ingredients to make this smoked salmon dip:

  • Cream cheese – Use full fat for best flavor. Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature so that it’s easier to mix. Some salmon dips are made with sour cream and mayonnaise, but I prefer the thick consistency of whipped cream cheese.
  • Lemon – Use fresh lemon for best flavor and because we’re using both fresh lemon juice AND the zest.
  • Onion – I prefer red onion for this dip. If you find the flavor strong, soak the minced onion in cold water for 5-10 minutes to lessen the strength. Chop them up as small as you can so that you don’t get huge chunks. You could also use green onion or fresh chives.
  • Dill – Use fresh dill for the brightest, freshest flavor.
  • Smoked salmon – You can use any type of smoked salmon (otherwise known as lox). I prefer to use cold smoked lox vs. hot smoked lox, but you could use hot smoked as well, just be really gentle when you fold it in as it will flake more than cold smoked.
Ingredients to make smoked salmon dip recipe.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip

This is an overview on how to make smoked salmon cream cheese dip, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

Whip cream cheese. Use a hand mixer to whip together cream cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice together until smooth. You can also do this in a food processor – pulse until combined and smooth.
Cream cheese for smoked salmon dip in a bowl.
Mix together spread. Stir in red onion and fresh dill. Gently fold in smoked salmon to cream cheese mixture.
White bowl with cream cheese, onion, and dill for salmon dip.
Chill smoked salmon fish dip. Transfer mixture to a bowl and chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Taste and season with salt if necessary.
Salmon dip before mixing salmon into cream cheese mixture.
Serve dip. Garnish with fresh dill and black pepper if desired and serve with a variety of crackers, breads, and/or veggies.

FAQs

What is salmon dip made of?

The ingredients will vary based on recipe, but this recipe is made with cream cheese, lemon, red onion, and dill – all flavors that pair well with lox (smoked salmon)!

What should I do with leftover salmon dip?

You have so many options! Spread it onto bagels, layer it on sourdough toast and top with sprouts, fold it into scrambled eggs, or use it as a filling for an omelet.

Storage Instructions

Store dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze smoked salmon dip?

I would not recommend freezing the dip as the cream cheese will change texture during the freezing and thawing process.

Salmon dip with crackers.

What to Serve with Smoked Salmon Dips

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 – bagel chips, Ritz crackers, everything bagel seasoned crackers, etc.
  • 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.

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Bowl of salmon dip with crackers and veggies.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

If you like this recipe for smoked salmon dip, you might also like some of these other easy appetizers:

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Smoked salmon dip with crackers and veggies

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

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Description

This is the BEST smoked salmon dip recipe with cream cheese! Mix up this spread that’s nice enough for entertaining with just 5 ingredients.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 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

  1. Using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese and lemon juice together until smooth.
  2. Cut up lox into small pieces.
  3. Add onion and dill to lemon cream cheese and stir to combine.
  4. Fold smoked salmon into cream cheese mixture and chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Serve with crackers or bread.

Equipment

Notes

  • Makes 2 cups
  • Serving size (estimate): 1/4 cup

Keywords: smoked salmon dip, smoked salmon dip recipe, salmon cream cheese dip

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Comments

  12. Lori@FakeFoodFree

    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!

    Reply

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