Smoked Salmon Dip made with hot smoked salmon & bacon has a spicy jalapeno kick. Also amazing as smoked salmon spread on a bagel!
Smoked Salmon Dip is a perfect party appetizer. Unlike my popular salmon patties which are made with canned salmon, this smoked salmon dip is made with hot smoked salmon, which you can either buy or make yourself.
Set the mouthwatering salmon dip out and watch it compete with the deviled eggs for the fastest consumed food on the table.
I'm seriously feeling withdrawal symptoms as I write this post because my salmon spread is all gone. Must. Make. More. I debated whether I should call this salmon dip or salmon spread.
Either way, this stuff is my heroine. I am addicted. I crave it morning, noon, and night. I am not exaggerating. that is how much I love it.
How to serve smoked salmon dip?
- If you are serving as a dip, you can set out any kind of crackers, bread, or crostini as long as they are strong and won't easily break because the dip is rather thick, especially if it is cold. An alternative would be to serve with a small spreading knife as shown. Or, you might find it quite entertaining to watch your guests break their crackers in the smoked salmon dip.
- My most favorite way to eat this smoked salmon spread is on a toasted everything bagel with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Add some capers and thinly sliced red onion to the top and you have yourself a complete meal.
- Smoked salmon dip is a great appetizer for any party or football watching event.
How long is smoked salmon dip good for?
I recommend two weeks in an air tight container stored in the refrigerator... if you don't eat it all right away!
How to make smoked salmon dip:
- First, you must get your hands on some Alaskan hot smoked salmon. You can find hot smoked salmon at stores like Whole Foods and Costco. Hot smoked salmon is not the same as cold smoked salmon (which I also love and use in all kinds of pasta and appetizer recipes). Hot smoked salmon has a different texture and feels cooked, for a lack of a better description.
- It's important to use crispy cooked bacon. There is nothing worse than taking a bite and getting a piece of soggy bacon where you question whether the fat has been fully rendered. I highly recommend using my method of how to cook bacon ends & pieces.
- The amount of heat in this smoked salmon dip depends on the type and amount of pepper you add. I love jalapeno but you can use something else if you desire. I've also found that organic jalapenos tend to pack more heat than conventionally grown peppers.
- Mixing it all together is simple if you use your Stand mixer. Just be sure to mix everything fully before you add the smoked salmon and bacon so you can control the final texture.
Smoked Salmon Dip
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- Juice from one lemon
- ⅔ ounce fresh baby dill (chopped)
- 1 jalapeno (minced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ pound about 1 cup hot smoked salmon (meat should be cold, hot smoked refers to cooking process)
- ¼ cup cooked bacon ends and pieces
Instructions
- In bowl of stand mixer, cream together cream cheese and lemon juice on high speed for several minutes until well combined and fluffy. Scrape sides, then add dill, jalapeno, and garlic and blend until well mixed. Add in salmon chunks and bacon and mix just until combined. The more you mix, the less salmon chunks you'll have.
- Serve with crackers or crostini for an appetizer or spread on a bagel for breakfast.
Jen
Do I cook the salmon from the package or do you mix it in raw?
Krissy
You use salmon that has already been cooked using a hot smoked method.
Carolyne Campbell
Dear Krissy,
I made your smoked salmon dip last night. I didn't have the hot smoked salmon so I used the cold. It turned out so goooood!! The lemon and dill flavors were poppin and slamming! Tastes better after flavors have time to meld together. So Good!! ALL your recipes are the bomb! Thanks CC
Kathy
Thanks. What is another way to measure the dill? After chopping ? Cups or tablespoons?
Krissy
If I were to guess, I think I ended up using about 3 tablespoons once it was removed from the stem and chopped. The amount of dill can vary depending on preference, as well.
Kathy
Do you remove the seeds from the jalapeño??
Krissy
That's a matter of preference but, yes, I always do.
Tim
Amazing, I would got to this restaurant back home and I really missed their smoked salmon. Now I have an equal substitute. Even my kids love it!!! All 6 of them they eat it like its candy.
This will be a staple in out house. Thanks for putting this Amazing recipe out there for us to try!!!!!
Tim
Betty Jefferson
I would love to keep this recipe but don’t know how to save, can you share it?Betty
Re: Salmon dip
Amy
I pinned it to my Pinterest always saved for me there now when I need it.
Greg Sobotka
Krissy,
I love this recipe. I smoked my own salmon on my traeger grill/smoker. It was delicious. However since it is on the thick side (and I wouldn't change that) it should called a spread and always serve it with a decorative small spreader knife.
Keep up I good work. So far all good recipes.
Greg
Krissy
I seriously debated between dip and spread because I usually eat it as a spread too! I guess as long as a spreader knife is there, it can be a dip. Great tip!
Julie
Absolutely delicious!
Mireille Jones
Krissy, I consider myself a foodie as well and I must say this recipe is exceptional. I smoked salmon to serve as an appetizer for Christmas tomorrow but decided to turn it into your dip. Now I don’t know if I want to serve it at all- Would much rather keep it for ourselves. This recipe made with all fresh ingredients, is simply perfect! Well done and thank you. I’ll be looking into your other recipes.
Krissy
Thank you for such a great comment! Did you try it on a bagel with red onion and capers? YUMM!
Ann
We smoked our own salmon & I will make this dip! my question is, how long will it last? I'm having a party in 7 days, what do you suggest?
Krissy
Sorry for the late reply! Your party has already passed, but I would have recommended making it no more than a day or two in advance.
Denisha
How many calories are in this dip?
Krissy
No idea
Kaye
We fish salmon and Lake Trout from Lake Michigan. My husband smoked the fish and I made the dip. I have made smoked salmon dip before but we like the added jalepeño and bacon. Thanks!
Anna
Hi! Did you use fresh jalopeno?
Krissy
Yep! Habanero would work too! -Krissy
Mary M. Eaton
Today, after work, I will go to shop for some INGREDIENTS, then I can do this, it should be very delicious.
Mark
Made this for a party tonight. People really liked it.
Jackie
My boyfriend and I discovered similar dip at a restaurant about an hour out of the way but continued to go back because how much we loved it. This salmon dip came out even better and we make it all of the time! Excellent tip for spreading it on a bagel. That is my new favorite breakfast 🙂 Thank you so much for posting Krissy!
CJ
Can you use cold smoked salmon? Is there a brand of hot smoked salmon that you can recommend? I can only find cold smoked salmon in my local grocery store.
Krissy
Hi CJ, You can use cold smoked salmon, but it will taste more fishy. I would love it, but I'm not sure everyone would. I don't have a brand recommendation because I've always hot smoked my own, but if you have a Trader Joe's nearby, I'm pretty sure they have some! Enjoy!!! Krissy
Yamillette
Hi I don't have a smoker is there any other way I can cook the salmon? Thanks
Krissy
Hi Yamillette - I would recommend just buying hot smoked salmon. Its different from cold smoked salmon. Otherwise, I don't know how to get the same great taste and flavor without smoking it. Krissy
Marty
For some reason, I'm a little bit obsessed with spreading this dip on toasted bagels, a la your picture. This dip recipe is downright awesome, thanks so much Krissy! 🙂