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Smoked Salmon Dip

Savory Smoked Salmon Dip is a party must have! This creamy dip loaded with smoke salmon, cream cheese and capers is sure to please the crowd! 

Dips are a must whenever you host a party. Whether people are dipping chips in Caramelized French Onion Dip, spreading on some Baked Goat Cheese, or dipping Homemade Tortilla Chips in fresh Habanero Salsa, the dips are always the hit of the party.

This Smoked Salmon Dip with Dill is no different! Smoked Salmon is pretty popular here in the Northwest. Chances are if you grew up here you knew someone who smoked their own salmon and always brought it to the family get togethers.  And while it’s great on its own, mixed with cream cheese, capers, dill and a splash of lemon juice make it a creamy, savory dip that everyone will love.

What do you need to make Smoked Salmon Dip?

You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make smoked salmon dip. Besides the salmon and the capers, most are pretty common ingredients you’ll likely have on hand.

  • SMOKED SALMON: I mean obviously. You can find this in the seafood section at your local grocery store. A small 4oz filet is all you need for this recipe.
  • CREAM CHEESE: Salmon and cream cheese are a match made in heaven so no doubt that a salmon dip would have cream cheese as it’s base. Use the full fat here.
  • SOUR CREAM: This makes the dip a bit creamier and more spreadable.
  • NON-PAREIL CAPERS: I always keep capers on hand. They go so well with seafood whether I am making tartar sauce or salmon with lemon and capers, my family goes bonkers for these little buds of a flower. They add a nice salty, briny flavor to any dish.
  • DILL: You can use fresh or dried dill for this recipe. I prefer to use dried because it’s something that I always have on hand. If you use fresh you’ll need 1 tablespoon.
  • LEMON JUICE: A squirt of lemon juice for some brightness and acidity.
  • GRANULATED GARLIC: You can also use garlic powder. Don’t use garlic salt, the salmon and the capers are already salty.

How do you make Smoked Salmon Dip?

You will need a food processor to make this dip. You can do it by hand but, on account of the cream cheese, it’ll take a bit more elbow grease to get it as smooth and luscious as the food processor gets it.

  • STEP #1: Whip together softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. It really helps if the cream cheese is at room temperature.
  • STEP #2: Add in the remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth. Chill for 20 – 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. After the flavors have had a chance to meld, then adjust seasoning with salt if desired.
  • STEP#3: Serve with buttery crackers or crostini.

This Smoked Salmon Dip is great year round! Serve it at your holiday parties, backyard BBQs in the summer and even at Sunday Brunches. Whenever you serve it, I’m sure the crowd will love it!

Need more crowd pleasing party appetizers? Try these:

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Roasted Garlic and Brie Pull Apart Bread

Artichoke Tapenade

Note: this post was originally posted in 2009. It was updated with a new recipe, photos and nutrition information in 2021.

Smoked Salmon Dip

Smoked Salmon Dip is one impressive party dip! This crowd pleaser is loaded with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and dill.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 121 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces smoked salmon flaked
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon non-pareil capers
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Instructions
 

  • Combine cream cheese and sour cream together in a food processor and mix until smooth.
  • Add in remaining ingredients and pulse a few more times until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Chill for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve with crackers or crusty french bread.

Notes

Wait until after the dip as chilled a bit before you salt it. The salmon and capers are salty so adding additional salt can make it salty very quick. 
Can be made a few hours to a day in advance. 
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
Nutrition information for estimation purposes only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 233mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: 4th of July Recipes, Cream Cheese, Dip, holiday, party food, salmon, snack, summer

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Kevin
    June 5, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    A smoked salmon dip sounds so good!

  • Reply
    Cookie
    June 3, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Smoked salmon and cream cheese are like a match made in heaven. I would probably substitute capers since I don’t like onions. The yogurt is a great addition too!

  • Reply
    Carrie
    June 3, 2009 at 7:07 am

    Looks great! I hate mayo, so dips like these without mayo always catch my eye!

  • Reply
    Memoria
    June 2, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    Oooo, with low-fat cream cheese, this could be a low-fat, delicious dish! thanks!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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