Description
This irresistible salmon spread combines rich cream cheese with lemon, dill, capers, and your choice of salmon – smoked, canned, or fresh – for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8–12 oz salmon (smoked, canned, or cooked)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tbsp dried dill)
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp capers, drained and chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove minced garlic)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 3–4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2–3 drops hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- If using fresh salmon, poach in simmering water for 8–10 minutes. Let cool and flake. If using smoked or canned, drain and flake.
- Soften cream cheese to room temp or microwave for 15–20 seconds. Beat until smooth.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until uniform.
- Fold in chopped dill, green onions, capers, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
- Gently fold in flaked salmon. Avoid overmixing.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can lighten the recipe by substituting half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt. It’s best when made ahead—flavors deepen after 2 hours in the fridge. Serve with crackers, veggies, or baguette slices for a sophisticated touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg