Published March 7, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This delicious smoked salmon dip recipe is jam-packed with shredded Jarlsberg Swiss cheese, fresh herbs, and crème fraiche for an unbelievably tasty appetizer. You will not be able to stop eating this dip once you try it.
I’m a big-time salmon fan and would eat it for every meal if given the chance. If you love it as much as I do then try out my Salmon Patties or Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Smoked salmon dip is a mayonnaise-based dip that is mixed with smoked salmon, vegetables, and herbs. It’s a simple-to-prepare dip that can feature an assortment of crackers and vegetables for dipping. This recipe can also be customized to your liking by adding different amounts or ingredients.
I chose to smoke the salmon myself to provide a fresher smokier flavor than when purchasing it from the grocery store. If you go this route, you will have smoked salmon left over but it’s great to use in other recipes like pasta.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Salmon – You will need smoked salmon for this recipe which can be done yourself or pre-smoked from the store.
- Mayonnaise – Use a good full-fat mayonnaise for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese – This will need to be full-fat and at room temperature to make it easy to mix.
- Crème Fraiche – I like to use some crème fraiche in this instead of sour cream.
- Cheese – Some shredded Swiss cheese takes this salmon dip over the top.
- Onion – A few green onions and red onions help elevate the flavor.
- Herbs – Fresh dill is the perfect herb to use with salmon.
- Lemon – I like to add a little clean acid to help balance the flavors.
- Capers – These are perfect for some great brine flavors and a texture that complements the other dip ingredients.
How to Make a Smoked Salmon Dip
If you are smoking the salmon yourself, using a fork or spoon, break it up into smaller bite-size pieces.
Next, in a large bowl add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, crème fraiche, cheese, onions, dill, capers, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix using a rubber spatula until completely combined and smooth.
Fold in the pulled smoked salmon and mix until combined. Serve with assorted crackers, bread, and veggies.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this smoked salmon dip up to 1 day ahead of time.
How to Store: Cover and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze this covered for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day or until thawed. You may need to remix and season the dip to return to the original consistency.
Chef Notes + Tips
- An alternative to crème fraiche is sour cream.
- Regular Swiss cheese will work fine in this recipe.
More Salmon Recipes
- Honey Garlic Salmon
- Potato Crusted Salmon
- Blackened Salmon
- Broiled Salmon
- Bourbon Glazed Salmon
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Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
5 from 17 votes
This delicious smoked salmon dip recipe is jam-packed with shredded Swiss cheese, herbs, and crème fraiche for an unbelievable appetizer.
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- ½ pound smoked salmon, roughly chopped or pulled with forks
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup crème fraiche
- Juice of ½ lemon or about 2 tablespoons
- 4 ounces shredded Jarlsberg Swiss cheese
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- ½ small peeled and small diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped capers
- coarse sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
If you are smoking the salmon yourself, using a fork or spoon, break it up into smaller bite-size pieces.
Next, in a large bowl add in the cream cheese, mayonnaise, crème fraiche, cheese, onions, dill, capers, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix using a rubber spatula until completely combined and smooth.
Fold in the pulled smoked salmon and mix until combined.
Serve with assorted crackers, bread, and veggies.
Notes
Make-Ahead: You can make this smoked salmon dip up to 1 day ahead of time.
How to Store: Cover and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze this covered for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day or until thawed. You may need to remix and season the dip to return to the original consistency.
An alternative to crème fraiche is sour cream.
Regular Swiss cheese will work fine in this recipe.
Nutrition
Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 11gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 532mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 668IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 178mgIron: 0.4mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Alaskan, American
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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28 comments
- Nina
Made this smoked salmon dip for a News Years Day appetizer this year up at the cabin. It was so so delicious to enjoy with a glass of wine with friends after coming in from a 2 hour back county ski on a sunny day in Wyoming!!!!
I actually made it the night before and I will say the flavors get even better the next day as they have time to blend as it sits in ones fridge.
It was a delicious smoked salmon dip! I will definitely add this to my arsenal of favorite appetizer recipes!!
Love checking out your posts on all your wonderful recipes.
Thank you for posting this recipe prior to New Years!
Happy New Years to you!!!- Reply
- sue 😁
Thank you so ChefBilly fabulous tasty 😋 😋😁👋😍
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- Lyla McCrory
The best smoked salmon dip, ever. The Chef has everything he makes delicious and shares his recipes 😋
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- Julie
Very good! Every Billy Parisi recipe that I’ve made has never disappointed.
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- Sara Stewart
Great recipe, Chef Billy! I love that you use capers and sophisticated ingredients. I used a wonderful fillet of salmon from Annie Gunn’s and it was divine! I think how good it turns out is directly related to the quality of the salmon. This is company/party worthy and a winner!
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many thanks!
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- Julie
Excellent!
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- Sara Stewart Wainwright
Hi Billy,
This is one luscious recipe, wow! It does take awhile to prepare the ingredients, but I actually enjoy doing that and improving my knife skills. It’s also a very elegant dish, and a few garnishes would make it look even better. I think you said you once lived in St. Louis, and I live in a suburb. Dierberg’s smokes salmon fresh every day, so I used that and it worked great. We are so spoiled here with great grocery stores. One suggestion is to use a hand mixer to incorporate the cream cheese, mayo and creme fraiche. Even though I thoroughly softened them, a spatula and even a whisk didn’t do it completely like I wanted. Hand mixer did the trick. Thanks for a great recipe!- Reply
thanks for giving it a shot!!
- Reply
- Earlene
Made this salmon dish for a party tonight and it was outstanding. Once again Chef Parisi assembles a flavor filled dip for our enjoyment! So fun to try something new and fairly easy to make! The capers add a nice subtle flavor!
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Glad you liked it!
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- Charlotte
Salmon recipe is perfect tasting.
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great!
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- Marguerite Trail
I just made this and it is fantastic! Rather than a smoked salmon fillet, I used sliced smoked salmon that you can find in the deli (lox—what you would put on a bagel with cream cheese), imported from Europe, and pulled/sliced it. It worked great! The Jarlsberg Swiss cheese was delicious— the first time I’ve had it. This dip would be wonderful for a party (but it’s all mine today!)!
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Perfect!
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- Donna A Pollock
WOW, this sounds amazing. I love smoked Salmon. I eat it for a snack with crackers or on a Bagel with cream cheese. This dip is right up my ally. I use a lot of your recipes Billy. I love them and they are all so good full of flavor. My son is just beginning to do BBQ competitions and I have always made his rubs and sauces for him. and I use several of your tips and ingredients when I make them. I really love you Vinegar based BBQ sauces.
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Thank you.
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- Suzanne
The salmon dip is amazing. Your entire page saved to my faves. You make blahs not only amazing, but brilliant.
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- Stephanie
Salmon dip is my favorite appetizer recipe! Can’t wait to make this for our party.
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So awesome, thank you so much!
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- lauren kelly
That spread looks incredible! I can’t wait to make this dip!
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You’re going to love it!
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- Kevin | Kevin Is Cooking
Hey there Billy! Thanks so much for including me here. As always, top notch recipe and photos brother.
See you in May. 🙂- Reply
Thanks for making such awesome recipes!!
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Awesome!!
- Reply
- Aimee Shugarman
LOVE this recipe. And your presentation is amazing 🙂
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thank you so much for the kind words!
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