If you like smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, you'll love this easy dip. It has all the smoky flavor in a creamy, tangy base that comes together in 10 minutes. It's a perfect appetizer for parties, brunch, or happy hour.
If you're looking for a quick appetizer, this one is about as easy as it gets. There's no cooking, and you can mix it in the food processor and stash it in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
The classic lox and cream cheese bagel flavors mean it's always a hit. If you're planning a holiday appetizer spread for a party, it's an easy seafood option.
Ingredients you'll need
This salmon dip recipe uses just a few simple ingredients.
- Cream cheese: Let it soften to room temperature so it blends easily and gives the dip a smooth texture.
- Mayonnaise: Adds richness and makes the mixture extra creamy.
- Sour cream: Adds a little tang and helps balance the cream cheese. Greek yogurt or crème fraiche can be used instead.
- Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice keeps the dip from tasting too heavy.
- Smoked salmon: Cold-smoked salmon works well here. If the slices are large, cut them into small pieces before adding them to the food processor. Hot-smoked salmon can also be used, just keep in mind that the texture and salt level will be a little different.
- Capers: Add a salty, briny flavor. Drain them before they go in.
- Fresh dill: Adds a little brightness and works especially well with the salmon.
- Sea salt and black pepper: To taste. The capers and smoked salmon are already salty, so you may not need much salt.
How to make smoked salmon dip
This comes together quickly with a food processor.
Make the cream cheese mixture: Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice to a food processor. Process until well combined.
Add the salmon and seasonings: Add the smoked salmon, capers, dill, salt, and pepper. Pulse just until combined. You want to still see pieces of salmon and dill in the mixture.
Garnish: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with little extra fresh dill.
Variations
- Use smoked trout: Smoked trout makes an easy swap for the salmon and works well with the other ingredients.
- Add chives: Add some finely chopped chive along with the fresh dill for a mild onion flavor. You can also add a little chopped green onion.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Top it with the mix of poppy and sesame seeds and dried onions and garlic. It adds crunch and pairs well with salmon and cream cheese.
Serving suggestions
Serve the smoked salmon dip cold with crackers, bagel chips or homemade crostini. Try potato chips or crudités for dipping.
It's also a good addition to a brunch spread with bagels and the usual toppings. For party bites, pipe the creamy dip onto roasted new potato halves or use it to stuff cherry tomatoes.
For a drink to go with it, this French 76 is an easy one made with champagne.
Make ahead and storing
You can make the dip a day ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve it. Just give it a quick stir before serving if needed.
Keep leftover smoked salmon cream cheese dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
More easy seafood appetizers
If you need a few more easy seafood appetizers, try these:
- Smoked Salmon Crostini: Smoked salmon and a creamy avocado spread on toasted baguette make these easy to put together.
- Cucumber Rolls with Smoked Salmon: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and fresh herbs rolled up in thin cucumber pinwheels.
- Easy Crab Rangoon Dip: A hot crab dip that's easy to make and serve with crackers or wonton chips.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ lemon juiced
- 4 oz smoked salmon sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers drained
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill stems removed
- sea salt to taste
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice to a food processor and process until well combined.
- Add the smoked salmon, capers, dill, salt, and pepper. Pulse until just combined and you can still see pieces of salmon and dill in the mixture.
- Serve with crostini, crackers or bagel chips.
Nutrition
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