Smoked Salmon Dip

Easy and elegant Smoked Salmon Dip is an impressive dip for a special occasion. Whether it’s a holiday gathering, graduation party or backyard barbecue serve this salmon dip with assorted crackers and vegetables for dipping. It’s certain to get the party started.

Ingredients to Make Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

When entertaining, I’m keenly aware of how important appetizers are to the event as a whole. It’s important to have at least one signature starter to serve as people arrive. It immediately sets the tone for the gathering and puts people at ease. When people gather around a delicious snack, it often starts conversation and gives them a moment to relax and settle in prior to the meal. Ingredients to make simple Smoked Salmon Dip: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Salmon: Six ounces smoked salmon.
• Cream Cheese: Chive and onion cream cheese adds flavor and forms the base of the dip.
• Sour Cream: Provides a creamy tang to the dip.
• Mayonnaise: Use a full fat mayo for this dip for the most rich texture.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice for a hint of citrus.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth of flavor.
• Pantry Seasonings: Garlic salt, lemon pepper and onion powder.
• Herbs: Fresh dill complements the salmon and adds a brightness to the flavor overall.

How to Make the BEST Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

• Filling – Whip together the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, lemon pepper and onion powder. 
• Salmon – Flake the salmon using a fork. Add it to the creamed mixture with the fresh dill.
• Fold – Gently stir the salmon in by hand until evenly distributed.  
• Chill – Place salmon spread into the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with fresh dill.
• Serve – Serve with assorted crackers, pita chips, bread rounds or crudite. 

Tips for Making Smoked Salmon Dip

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Medium bowl, fork for flaking the salmon, measuring cups, tablespoon and teaspoons, sharp knife and chopping board and electric hand mixer.
• Don’t Over Process the Salmon: You could also pulse the cream cheese mixture in the bowl of a food processor. When doing so, stir the salmon in by hand so it maintains its texture.
• Use a Quality Smoked Salmon: This dip is simple to make so a special effort should be made to use quality smoked salmon for the best results. Smoked salmon is available at all price points and is an impressive dish to have on the appetizer menu. You can use a quality canned salmon or cooked fresh salmon.
• Chill Thoroughly: Give the dip time to chill so the flavors can fully develop. Four hours is ideal, even overnight, if time allows.
• More Popular Dips to Try: Other popular dips you may enjoy are my recipes for Million Dollar Dip and baked Pepper Jack Spinach Dip. The addition of bacon to spinach dip and a little spice takes classic spinach dip to a whole other level.
• How to Serve Cold Salmon Dip: Salmon Dip is delicious served with crostini, bagel crisps, slathered on mini bagels, with crackers or pita chips. It’s also delicious served with fresh veggies, like cucumber slices, celery sticks and carrots.

Recipe Variations

• Fresh Herbs: You can add fresh chives or parsley.
• Onion: You can add 2 tablespoons of finely diced shallots, red onion or 2 teaspoons capers.
• Use a Good Mayonnaise: I recommend using real mayonnaise and not something like Miracle Whip. Salad dressing can have a sweet flavor that just doesn’t work for this dip recipe.
• Pepper: You can use black pepper in place of lemon pepper. When doing so, add a splash of lemon juice to the mayo mixture.
• Spice: You might like to add 1/2 teaspoons of horseradish to the cream cheese mixture for spice.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store leftover Salmon Dip in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing salmon dip as the ingredients can change texture and break down when you thaw.

More Easy Salmon Recipes to Make

While salmon may not come to mind for quick weekday meals, it is in fact, an excellent choice. From sheet pan meals to foil packs. More salmon recipes you may like to try:

• My Cajun seasoned Air Fryer Salmon recipe proves that salmon is not only good for you, but easy to make.
• Sheet pan Teriyaki Salmon and Vegetables is a quick weeknight meal.
• Shake-up supper with these fully dressed Salmon Burgers.
• Maple Glazed Salmon is a restaurant quality dish that you can enjoy with the family at home.
• Old fashioned Salmon Patties are delicious and won’t break the bank.
• Baked Salmon in Foil from Well Plated.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Mixer