Introduction

This smoked salmon cream cheese spread is a delicious and elegant appetizer that’s quick to prepare. With its creamy texture and fresh flavors, it’s perfect for bagels, crackers, or veggie sticks during any gathering.

A wooden board holds a small bowl at the center filled with a creamy, chunky spread colored white with bits of orange and green, topped with a small green dill sprig. Surrounding the bowl are three whole, golden brown bagels and one sliced bagel showing a pale inside with an airy texture. Thin, round slices of cucumber with a fresh green shade are placed near the bowl along the edge of the board, with a small white dish of green capers slightly blurred in the background. A golden spreader knife rests at the board’s edge on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 ounces smoked salmon, finely chopped
3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Instructions

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer to blend until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add the smoked salmon, green onion, and fresh dill to the bowl. Gently fold with a spoon or rubber spatula until evenly combined.
Step 3: Serve the spread immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Tips & Variations

For a zestier kick, add a small pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce.
Swap fresh dill for chives or parsley for a different herb flavor.
To make it dairy-free, try a vegan cream cheese alternative and omit the sour cream.

Storage

Store the spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving after storage, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to soften and enhance the flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows a sesame seed bagel sliced open with the bottom half spread generously with a creamy, pale pink mixture that has visible small bits of green and orange, likely vegetables or herbs mixed in. The creamy layer looks thick and textured, with a small sprig of fresh green dill placed on top as garnish. The sesame bagel half is positioned on a wooden board that shows some dark grain patterns, and around the bagel are fresh, thinly sliced cucumber rounds with a light green skin and translucent centers. A white and gray striped cloth napkin can be seen partially in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh salmon instead of smoked salmon?

Fresh salmon is not recommended for this recipe since it lacks the smoky flavor and texture. If you want to use fresh salmon, you would need to cook and season it first.

Is this spread suitable for freezing?

Freezing is not ideal as it can alter the texture of the cream cheese and sour cream, causing separation once thawed.

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 60 reviews

This Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese spread is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for bagels, crackers, or sandwiches. Combining creamy cream cheese with tangy sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and flavorful smoked salmon, green onions, and dill creates a light and savory spread that is both elegant and versatile.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: Approximately 1 cup (serves 6 as an appetizer) 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base Spread

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Add-ins

3 ounces smoked salmon, finely chopped
3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Instructions

Prepare the base mixture: Add the cream cheese, sour cream, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, blend the ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and fluffy. This creates a creamy base that enhances the texture of the spread.
Add the smoked salmon and herbs: Incorporate the finely chopped smoked salmon, thinly sliced green onions, and chopped fresh dill into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spoon or rubber spatula to gently fold these ingredients together, ensuring an even distribution without overmixing.
Serve or store: The smoked salmon cream cheese spread is ready to serve immediately with crackers, bagels, or fresh bread. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate the spread for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and flavors.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to ensure easy mixing and a smooth texture.
This spread can be customized by adding capers or finely chopped red onion for an extra flavor dimension.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep it fresh.
Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.

Keywords: smoked salmon cream cheese, salmon spread, appetizer, easy spread, cream cheese dip