Smoked Salmon Dip

Smoked salmon dip is bursting with bright accents of lemon and dill intermingled with tender bits of smoky salmon. This enticing dip won't last long at your next party!

I remember Christmas as a kid at my grandma's house. She always served the most exquisite foods on special occasions, with smoked salmon being one in particular that has always stood out to me. It was my first introduction to salmon, and unfortunately, the flavorful fish and I only remained acquaintances, because at grandma's house kids weren't allowed to eat the 'fancy food'.

Perhaps, the alure of the forbidden reeled me in, because as an adult I have always enjoyed the rich flavors of smoked salmon with extra zeal. Heck, a few years ago I had a legit smoked salmon birthday 'cake'!

Ingredients Needed

One of my favorite ways to enjoy smoked salmon is by turning it into a tantalizing party dip. My smoked salmon dip is loaded with flaky salmon, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon. A dollop of horseradish warms the flavor up, while soy adds a welcomed umami component. You can make this easy salmon dip recipe with these simple ingredients:

• Cream cheese 
• Sour cream
• Fresh lemon juice
• Soy sauce
• Smoked salmon 
• Fresh dill
• Prepared horseradish
• Garlic

What is the best salmon to use?

You can make this with store-bought smoked salmon, or even cans of salmon, but it is particularly good with my smoked salmon recipe. For a sweeter twist, you could use my honey smoked salmon recipe too.

Cans of smoked salmon would be the least expensive option, but it has the worst texture, due to the canning process. I recommend using fresh salmon if you can. Any type of smoked salmon, such as sockeye salmon, will work well.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip

There is no cooking required to make this easy smoked salmon dip. All of the ingredients can be added to a large bowl and mixed together. It is best to warm the cream cheese prior to making the dip. Warming it will soften it so it mixes better with the other ingredients and creates the ideal creamy texture.

How to Customize this Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

Smoked salmon dip is very versatile, there are many ways for you to add your own spin to this recipe. Horseradish and/or soy could be removed if you don't enjoy those flavors. Although I would recommend added Worcestershire sauce to compensate. You could even remove the lemon or dill, but the flavor wouldn't be nearly as bright or interesting.

Some possible additions to this easy dip would be capers, minced green onions, sauteed red onion, lemon zest, or even a little bit of hot sauce or crushed red peppers would be a good way to spice it up. If you are feeling extra motivated, roasted garlic would be phenomenal!

If you would rather create a healthy smoked salmon dip you can completely swap out the regular cream cheese for plain Greek yogurt instead. This will lighten the texture of the tip and cut down on calories considerably.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon Dip

I recommend serving this delicious dip with bagel chips, or your favorite cracker. It would also be great on toasted bread. Heck, even Ritz crackers would be great, but they wouldn't be my first choice.

Since this is a dairy-based dip, don't let it sit at room temperature all day at your party. I recommend using an iced serving bowl (affiliate link) to keep the dip at a proper temperature. If you don't have one, I recommend keeping the dip out for 4 hours or less so you don't risk food poisoning.

How to store it

This is one of those dips that can be made in advance because the smoky flavor will continue to permeate the entire dip as it rests in the refrigerator. The best way to store it is in an airtight container in the fridge. It is best to enjoy it within a few days though.

Party Dips

This smoked salmon dip isn't the only easy appetizer to serve as a party dip. If you are looking for more recipes to create a wonderful spread, check out my Million Dollar Dip, Pickle Wrap Dip, Jalapeno Popper Dip, or Clam Dip recipes too.