The Best Smoked Salmon Dip recipe ever! This elegant appetizer is creamy, dreamy, and perfect for brunch or cocktail parties!
Light and fluffy. Smoky and savory. Bright and tangy. The flavor profile for this simple Smoked Salmon Dip is set to impress! Starting with a trio of cream cheese, sour cream & mayo for the perfect soft spread, this delicious dip recipe features flaky smoked salmon, tangy dill, fresh chives, zesty lemon, and a few seasonings. It’s absolutely spectacular served with toast points, crackers, or fresh vegetables!
A Dip That Dazzles!
Smoky Salmon Dip is the perfect appetizer when you want to be fancy! Salmon elevates any gathering or party, but we all know the filets can get pricey! So, with this savory dip recipe, you get the beautiful benefit of serving salmon without breaking the bank!
Easily elevate this appetizer even more by making your crostini. Start with a small baguette, slice it into three-quarter-inch slices, brush with olive oil, add a sprinkle of salt, then toast in the oven until the tops are lightly golden. Perfect for dipping!
Other Appetizing Appetizer Recipes for Salmon!
- Smoked Salmon Crostini is a stunningly beautiful hors d’oeuvre that’s surprisingly easy to make!
- Savory Salmon Croquettes – like New England crab cakes, these make a nice upscale app or delicious dinner entree!
Ingredients
Salmon: This recipe requires high-quality smoked salmon that’s not too thin, allowing us to see and feel the flaky texture of the fish in the dip.
Dip Base: A combination of softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise creates a foundation that’s perfectly smooth, creamy, and mild enough for the salmon and seasonings to really shine!
Lemon: The juice and zest of one lemon are going to bring bright, tangy freshness to this dip!
Herbs: Minced fresh dill and chives put this recipe over the top!
Seasoning: Finish off this fantastic salmon dip with Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, fresh cracked pepper, and garlic powder. You’re going to flip for this!
How to Make Salmon Dip
STEP ONE: Mix the mayonnaise, softened cream cheese, and sour cream in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
STEP TWO: Flake the salmon into small pieces and add it to the dip base. Grate the lemon zest and squeeze the lemon juice in as well. Finally, add the dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well blended.
STEP THREE: Serve immediately with crackers, veggies, or crostini. If you’re making the dip ahead of time, cover it and pop it in the fridge. Then allow the dip to sit out at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to soften before serving. Garnish with extra dill and chives and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Capers make a nice tangy addition to this dip.
- If you have the option, opt for a thicker cut of smoked salmon. That way, you get nice pops of salmon pieces. Thinner smoked salmon will blend into the dip. You’ll get the flavor, but you might miss the texture of the fish bits compared to the creamy dip base.
- This recipe can be prepped ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate.
- When this dip is cold, it’s more of a thick spread. Let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving to ensure it’s creamy, fluffy, and delightfully dippable.
What Do You Serve with Smoked Salmon?
Smoked Salmon Dip is savory, smoky, salty, cheesy, and tangy, which means almost everything works with it! Crackers or crusty bread are essential for dipping. The sweetness of fresh fruit fills in the flavor gap, and a crudités platter (fresh veggies) works exceptionally well. If you’re serving brunch, try deviled eggs. For a cocktail party, stuffed mushrooms are amazing! And bubbly Champagne or a dry sparkling rosé are perfect drink pairings.
How Long Does Smoked Salmon Dip Last?
It probably doesn’t matter – you aren’t likely to have leftovers! Still, a smoked salmon dip should last, well sealed, in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Add a touch of lemon juice to the leftovers to “brighten” them up. The best way to decide how long to keep it is to follow the expiration guidelines on the package the salmon came in.
Other Savory, Scrumptious Dip Recipes!
- Jalapeno Crab Dip
- Creamy Clam Dip
- Buffalo Shrimp Dip
- Crab Rangoon Dip
- Philly Cheesesteak Dip
- Caramelized Onion and Bacon Skillet Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 5 ounces smoked salmon roughly chopped into small pieces
- ½ lemon zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Add the salmon, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir gently until combined.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. (see note). Arrange crackers, chips, or veggies around the bowl for dipping. Garnish with extra dill and chives if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- The dip will be quite firm right from the fridge. It’s best to let it sit out on the counter for 30 minutes before serving to soften it back up. You can serve it chilled, but it’ll be more like a spread than a dip.
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