This smoked salmon spread is creamy and flavorful, showcasing the smoky saltiness of smoked salmon brightened with fresh lemon and plenty of dill. It’s an easy, elegant appetizer that comes together in about 5 minutes.
Smoked salmon tends to appear whenever I host friends, and this spread is one of my go-to party recipes. It’s simple to make, can be prepared up to a day ahead, and feels special without a lot of effort.
If I have extra time I might make smoked salmon deviled eggs for guests, but those take more work. This spread gives the same crowd-pleasing salmon flavor with a fraction of the prep.
The recipe highlights smoked salmon, but fresh lemon adds brightness, dill provides that classic herb note, scallion lends a subtle bite, and the spread’s creaminess comes mainly from cream cheese with a touch of Greek yogurt and sour cream for tang.
This is more of a spread than a dip, making it perfect on crackers, crostini, or slices of bread. If you prefer a looser, dip-like texture, thin it with sour cream or a splash of buttermilk until it reaches your desired consistency.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Spread:
Place the smoked salmon, cream cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, scallion, lemon juice, minced garlic, and cracked black pepper into a food processor.
I usually skip adding extra salt because smoked salmon is already quite salty. Blend until smooth, stopping when there are no large chunks left; you should still see little flecks of salmon and dill for color and texture.
Use a spatula to transfer the spread into a serving bowl, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day if making ahead.
What to Serve with Salmon Spread:
Serve with a variety of crackers and crostini, or offer sliced bread, cucumber rounds, radish slices, or endive leaves for a lighter, grain-free option. A mix of crisp vegetables and crunchy crackers ensures everyone finds something they like.
This spread pairs nicely with other salmon dishes at a party or picnic, and it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed year-round. Enjoy!
Smoked Salmon Spread
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Ingredients
- 8 oz block cream cheese at room temperature
- 4 oz smoked salmon chopped
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp greek yogurt
- 1 scallion sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 3 tbsp packed fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
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Place the cream cheese, smoked salmon, sour cream, greek yogurt, scallion, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and black pepper in a food processor.
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Blend until smooth.
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Taste and add salt if desired—many will find added salt unnecessary because smoked salmon is fairly salty.
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Serve with crackers, crostini, or vegetable slices. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is provided as a guideline for informational purposes.
Post updated with new photos, writing, and tips in July 2018. Originally published July 2013.