By: Jill Mills Updated: Nov 17, 2024

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Smoked Salmon Dip is loaded with chunks of smoked salmon, capers, lemon juice, and fresh herbs for a creamy, savory dip that’s bursting with flavor. Serve with crackers for an easy party appetizer.

Overhead view of a bowl of smoked salmon dip

Why You’ll Love This Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

Here are a few of the reasons why I love making this recipe for the holidays.

Quick & easy. This smoked salmon dip takes about 5 minutes to prepare and there are less than 10 ingredients needed. I love to whip it up the night before a party.
Incredible flavor. Besides the smoked salmon, which adds great flavor itself, this dip is also flavored with capers, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. A hint of Tabasco adds a little warmth too. It’s really the perfect blend of flavors!
Feels a bit fancy. One of the reasons I love serving this smoked salmon dip for Christmas and New Year’s parties is because the salmon makes it feel a bit fancier than other dips, like buffalo chicken dip and 7 layer dip.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need for this savory dip. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Cream cheese – Softened so that it’s easy to mix.
Sour cream – Adds a bit of tangy creaminess that easily cuts through the cream cheese.
Mayonnaise – Adds extra richness to the dip.
Capers – Drained. Adds a unique salty, savory, and tangy taste to the dip.
Fresh lemon juice – Adds a bit more acidity and brightness to the dip.
Tabasco – Adds just a hint of heat to the dip.
Smoked salmon – Roughly chopped.
Herbs – Fresh dill & chives add an earthy flavor to the dip.
Salt

How To Make Smoked Salmon Dip

Here’s how to make this smoked salmon dip in just a few steps. You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.

Smoked salmon and herbs added to the cream cheese mixture

Make the cream cheese mixture. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, Tabasco, and mayo until smooth and creamy.
Add the other ingredients. Stir in the salmon, capers, and herbs. Give the mixture a taste and add salt if necessary. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
Chill. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap. Chill until ready to serve.

Tips & Variations

Here are a few tips for making the best smoked salmon dip.

Make sure the cream cheese is softened. This is essential to a smooth and creamy dip. If it’s still a bit chunky when you mix it, you can microwave it for about 15 seconds and then stir again.
Use quality salmon. The better the smoked salmon, the better the dip will taste. This is a great time to splurge.
Add more lemon flavor. If you want more of a hint of lemon flavor, grate in a small amount of lemon zest in addition to the juice.
Adjust the heat level. You don’t want the spice to overpower the lox or the other flavors but you can add an extra splash of tabasco if you like a spicier dip.
Make in advance. I recommend making this smoked salmon dip at least a few hours in advance so that all of the flavors have time to meld.

A hand holding a crostini with smoked salmon dip

What To Serve It With

Smoked salmon dip is perfect as a holiday dinner appetizer or party appetizer anytime. Some of my favorite things to serve with this dip include:

Crackers
Bagel chips or Pita chips
Cucumber Slices
Triscuits
Celery sticks
Carrots
Baguettes
Crostini

Overhead view of a bowl of smoked salmon dip on a platter with crackers and veggies

Proper Storage

You can make this smoked salmon dip up to 3 days ahead of time. Just make sure to allow it to warm up a bit on the counter before serving as it becomes hard in the refrigerator.

More Savory Dip Recipes To Try

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Delisa Hall

Nov 21, 2024 at 10:23 am

I try the Kielbasa Potato Soup . It was amazing. Really appreciate the recipe family loved it. Thanks for sharing.