5-Minute Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
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Try this smoked salmon dip once and you’re sure to get hooked! Salmon, dill, and capers add delicious flavors and textures to the smooth cream cheese base, creating a perfect blend of creamy, smoky, and tangy that will bring life to all your favorite dippers. You won’t be able to find a smoked salmon dip flavor this good from any store, so this homemade version is one-of-a-kind!
When it comes to fish, salmon is hands-down my family’s favorite. When I learned how to make salmon and prepare it properly, I fell in love with making salmon dishes – we often have salmon quiche for breakfast and honey-mustard salmon for dinner.
When I’m entertaining, my go-to appetizer is definitely smoked salmon dip! It’s a perfect combination of indulgent creaminess and zesty tang, creating an insanely good, flavorful treat for your taste buds.
It’s great for snacking, entertaining or for treating yourself to something delicious. It’s also a great addition to your brunch menu and party spreads. It’s so quick to make, you’ll be dipping into flavor town in no time. Ready to dip, spread, and impress? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Whip up this delicious dish in 5 minutes using simple ingredients. No cooking required!
- Amazing flavors: With dill, capers, and smoked salmon, it’s packed with fresh, vibrant flavors you can feel good about.
- Homemade goodness: Homemade is fresher and always tastes better, and this smoked salmon dip proves it – store-bought will never compare!
- Family-friendly: The delicious flavors and the rich creaminess of the dip is sure to be a hit with the whole family!
- Makes great leftovers: If you made extra or have leftovers, it’s perfect as a spread on toast or mixed into pasta.
- Endlessly customizable: Easily adjust the ingredients or add your favorite mix-ins to make this dip recipe your own.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip
Ready to take your snack game to the next level? This smoked salmon dip is an easy, delicious choice for all occasions. Simply make the creamy base, add the salmon, dill, and capers, and you have an appetizer that anyone will go crazy for. 5 minutes is all you need – perfect for busy days or for some last-minute entertaining!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Cream cheese: The base that holds everything together and gives the dip a creamy, indulgent texture. I use Philadelphia cream cheese, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Mayonnaise: For extra richness, creaminess, and a subtle tang.
- Sour cream: Adds a tangy, slightly lighter texture that balances the richness of the cream cheese and mayo.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a fresh, zesty acidity that cuts through the richness of the cheese, mayo, and sour cream while adding brightness to the overall flavor of the dip. Fresh is best but bottled works in a pinch, although they can taste flat or slightly bitter.
- Smoked salmon: I use canned smoked salmon for ease and convenience, but feel free to use fresh or frozen.
- Dill: Adds a fresh, slightly citrusy, herb flavor that complements the salmon beautifully.
- Capers: For that briny, salty bite that enhances the overall flavor of the dip.
- Salt and ground black pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making blackened ranch sauce is as easy as one, two, three. In 5 minutes or less, you’ll have an unbelievably tasty winner of a dip that’s uniquely creamy, smoky, savory, and slightly tangy!
Step 1: Blend ingredients together
Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until completely mixed and smooth.
Step 2: Add the salmon
Add the smoked salmon, dill, capers, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times until just combined. Leave little chunks of smoked salmon for texture.
Note: Remove the dill leaves from the stems when measuring. You only want to use the feathery leaf, not the stems.
Step 3: Serve
Serve immediately or make it ahead of time and chill, covered, in the refrigerator until you are ready.
Substitutions
- Cream cheese: Substitute with ricotta for a lighter taste or mascarpone for a slightly sweeter, silkier option.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream: Don’t have one of these two? Swap mayo or sour cream for 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Lemon juice: Lime juice can work in a pinch, or a splash of white wine vinegar for acidity.
- Smoked salmon: Try flaked cooked salmon for a milder taste, or swap in smoked trout for a different smoky profile.
- Dill: Substitute for fresh parsley or chives.
- Capers: Replace with chopped green olives or a small splash of pickle juice for a similar tangy-salty effect.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the consistency: If your dip is too thick, stir in a little more sour cream or lemon juice to loosen it up to your preferred consistency.
- Add a kick of heat: If you like a bit of spice, try adding a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne, or a little horseradish for an extra punch.
- Switch up the texture: Prefer a chunkier dip? Simply fold in the smoked salmon at the end instead of blending it all together.
- Get creative: Customize your mix-ins and toppings for variety! Crushed walnuts, diced avocado or celery, grated parmesan, and finely-chopped sun-dried tomatoes are great mix-in choices, while Everything Bagel seasoning, toasted almonds, or microgreens make a delicious topping.
- Taste and adjust: Smoked salmon and capers are naturally salty, so start with less salt and adjust after mixing. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Make it ahead: Smoked salmon dip tastes even better the next day, so feel free to prepare it a few hours (or even a day) in advance for maximum flavor.
How to Store This Recipe
Place made-ahead or leftover smoked salmon dip into a transparent airtight container (preferably a mason jar or a recycled glass bottle) and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
I don’t recommend freezing this dip since it contains dairy, which has a tendency to separate when frozen, so you’ll likely have a lumpy sauce once you thaw it. Enjoy cold or bring to room temperature before using.
What to Serve with Smoked Salmon Dip
This quick and easy dip pairs well with pretty much anything. Serve it with chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable slices. Use it as a spread for buttery crostini, toasted baguette slices, or mini bagels.
It also makes a fantastic spread for sandwiches, wraps, or even as a topping for roasted parmesan potatoes or potato fritters. If you’re hosting a brunch, pair it with avocado toast, sheet pan eggs, a breakfast casserole, or your favorite quiche for a gourmet touch.
More Easy Dips To Try
- 5-minute chip dip
- Homemade salsa
- Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip
- French onion dip
- Spicy mayonnaise
Easy Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ medium lemon juiced
- 4 ounces smoked salmon
- 2 tablespoons dill
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ¼ teaspoons salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until completely mixed and smooth.
- Add the smoked salmon, dill, capers, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times until just combined. Leave little chunks of smoked salmon for texture.
- Serve immediately or make it ahead of time and chill, covered, in the refrigerator until you are ready.
Notes
- If your dip is too thick, stir in a little more sour cream or lemon juice to loosen it up to your preferred consistency.
- If you like a bit of spice, try adding a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne, or a little horseradish for an extra punch.
- Prefer a chunkier dip? Simply fold in the smoked salmon at the end instead of blending it all together.
- Crushed walnuts, diced avocado or celery, grated parmesan, and finely-chopped sun-dried tomatoes are great mix-in choices, while Everything Bagel seasoning, toasted almonds, or microgreens make a delicious topping.
- Smoked salmon and capers are naturally salty, so start with less salt and adjust after mixing. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Smoked salmon dip tastes even better the next day, so feel free to prepare it a few hours (or even a day) in advance for maximum flavor.
