If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to wow seafood lovers at your next party, this salmon cream cheese dip is a guaranteed hit. It's packed with so much flavor from fresh salmon (or smoked salmon) and a rich cream cheese base. With simple ingredients like red onion, fresh dill, and lemon juice, this is one of those dips that’s easy to throw together but tastes like you spent hours on it. Serve it with bagel chips, cucumber slices, or pita chips for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish!

Salmon, cream and cheese dip surf in a bowl to with freshly ground, black pepper and dill

Most of the time, we just have it on bagels the morning after we have salmon for dinner. In fact, I always try to buy larger pieces of fish, so I know where will have leftovers the next day to make this dip.

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Ingredient Notes
Instructions
How to Serve Salmon Cream Cheese Dip
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Cream Cheese (1 cup): Always let your cream cheese reach room temperature before using, so it blends smoothly. It’s the creamy dip base that holds all the flavors together.
Salmon (4 ounces): Fresh salmon works great, but cold-smoked salmon adds a bold, savory touch. Either way, you’ll want to flake it into bite-sized pieces. If you’ve got leftover salmon from dinner last night, that works perfectly too.
Red Onion (¼ cup): Adds a subtle crunch and a bit of sharpness. Shallots or green onions can be used as a milder option.
Fresh Jalapeño (1 pepper): Provides a touch of heat. You can also use pickled jalapeños if you prefer more tang in your dip.
Capers (4 tablespoons): These briny little bites are the perfect complement to the salmon’s richness.
Fresh Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): Brings a bright acidity to balance the creamy dip. Don’t forget to add some lemon zest for even more zing.
Fresh Dill (2 tablespoons): This herb pairs beautifully with salmon, adding a fresh, earthy note. You can swap in fresh chives or a mix of both.
Salt and Pepper (¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper): These simple seasonings help elevate all the flavors in the dip.

Salmon, being broken apart with a fork and a bowl

All of the other ingredients added to the salmon up

Instructions

Prep the Ingredients: Flake 4 ounces of salmon into small pieces. Dice ¼ cup of red onion and 1 fresh jalapeño (or 2 pickled ones). Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh dill, and measure out 4 tablespoons of capers.
Blend the Cream Cheese: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of cream cheese (room temperature) with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Use an electric hand mixer or a spoon to blend everything into a smooth, creamy dip.
Incorporate the Flavorings: Gently fold in the flaked salmon, red onion, jalapeño, capers, fresh dill, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and lemon zest. Mix until well combined.
Taste Test and Adjust: Taste the salmon cream cheese dip and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more lemon juice for brightness or extra jalapeño for heat.
Chill: Transfer the dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to come together and makes for a more delicious salmon dip.

Salmon, cream cheese, dip with pita chips, served around it, and one dunking in the dip.

How to Serve Salmon Cream Cheese Dip

Spread onto bagel chips or pita chips for a crunchy bite.
Serve with cucumber slices or bell pepper strips for a fresh, healthy option.
Pair with baguette slices or a variety of crackers for a more filling appetizer.
Add to your favorite fresh herbs like chives for garnish.

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

Leftover Salmon: This is a great way to use up leftover salmon. Fresh salmon or baked salmon works just as well as smoked.
Smoked or Fresh: Both cold-smoked salmon and hot smoked salmon give the dip unique flavors. If you’re a fan of smoked salmon appetizers, this dip will be your new favorite.
Make it Creamier: If you love an extra creamy dip, try mixing in ¼ cup of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a silkier texture.
Add Some Heat: Sprinkle in smoked paprika or lemon pepper seasoning to give the dip a bit more kick.
Lemon Zest for Brightness: Don’t skip out on lemon zest—it’s a great way to enhance the fresh lemon juice and brighten up the whole dip.
Customize Your Dips: Mix in green onions or chives for more color and flavor, or experiment with Italian seasoning for a fun twist.
Prep Ahead: This salmon cream cheese dip can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. Just pull it out when you’re ready to serve at your next party.

If you’ve tried this Salmon Cream Cheese Dip recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.

Recipe