Smoked Salmon Dip and Spread is a chilled, ready-in-minutes recipe bursting with flavor. Made from smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh herbs and lemon, it’s an irresistible appetizer or bagel topping.
Smoked Salmon Dip & Spread
I have fond childhood memories of piling store-bought smoked salmon cream cheese onto a bagel. Homemade Smoked Salmon Dip easily outshines the store version — fresher, brighter and more satisfying.
This dip uses a handful of simple ingredients: cream cheese, sour cream and mayo for creaminess; Dijon and lemon for brightness; and fresh dill, chives and smoked salmon for that classic lox flavor. The result is a silky, savory spread perfect for parties or casual breakfasts.
It’s elegant on a platter with crackers or chips and equally delightful spread on a toasted bagel or sandwich.
How to Find High Quality Smoked Salmon
Because smoked salmon is the star, choose a good one. Look for slices that are a deep pink-orange, with a fresh, slightly sweet aroma. The texture should be smooth and silky—neither dry nor overly oily.
Hot or Cold Smoked Salmon?
For this recipe, thinly sliced cold-smoked salmon (lox-style) is preferred for its delicate texture and classic flavor. Hot-smoked salmon can be used but will change the taste and texture. If using warm-smoked fish, let it cool to room temperature before combining so the cream cheese stays firm and the herbs remain fresh.
What Pairs Well with Smoked Salmon?
Smoked salmon is rich and sometimes briny, so creamy and acidic components complement it well. Cream cheese echoes the classic bagel-and-lox pairing, while lemon juice and fresh herbs like dill or chives cut through the richness and add brightness.
Why Blend the Dip?
Lightly pulsing the mixture with an immersion blender or in a food processor helps the flavors meld and creates a smooth, uniform texture. You can also mix by hand if you prefer a chunkier spread — both are delicious.
How to Serve Smoked Salmon Dip and Spread
Serve chilled with bagel chips, crostini, pita chips, thin wheat or butter crackers, or toasted baguette slices. It also makes a great vegetable dip (think cucumber slices, carrot sticks or celery). Leftover spread is excellent on a toasted bagel for a homemade lox-and-cream-cheese experience.
How Long Does Smoked Salmon Dip Keep?
Stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, the dip will keep for 3 to 4 days. For best quality, consume within that timeframe and give it a quick stir before serving.
More Cold Dip and Spread Recipes You’ll Love
- Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball – a classic, crowd-pleasing cheese ball loaded with bacon and cheddar.
- BLT Dip – bright and savory, packed with fresh tomatoes and crispy bacon for BLT flavor in dip form.
- Easy Layered Taco Dip – layered southwest flavors with beans, cheese, seasoned cream cheese and salsa.
- Avocado Cilantro White Bean Dip – creamy, fresh and nutritious with avocado, cilantro and white beans.
- Baba Ganoush – a smoky roasted eggplant dip that’s silky and simple to make.
Smoked Salmon Dip Video
Smoked Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 6 ounces cold smoked salmon, finely chopped, divided
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, Dijon mustard and lemon juice until smooth.
- Add the dill, chives and half the chopped salmon; mix gently until combined.
- Fold in the remaining salmon to preserve some larger pieces for texture.
- Cover and chill for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
- Serve chilled with crackers, bagel chips, toasted baguette slices or fresh veggies.
Notes
- Serve with: bagel chips, pita chips, thin wheat crackers, butter crackers, crostini or raw veggies.
- Make ahead: Prepare a day in advance and keep covered in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Keep tightly covered in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Nutrition
UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in December 2018 and updated with new photos, tips and a video in September 2023.