Creamy Smoked Salmon Dip (Print)

Rich cream cheese dip with smoky salmon, fresh dill, and chives. Perfect for entertaining guests elegantly.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/4 cup sour cream

→ Fish

03 - 5 oz smoked salmon, finely chopped

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
05 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
06 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

→ Condiments & Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

10 - Additional chopped dill or chives
11 - Lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - Combine cream cheese and sour cream in a medium bowl. Beat with hand mixer or whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
02 - Gently fold in smoked salmon, dill, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
03 - Sample the dip and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed to suit your preference.
04 - Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with extra fresh dill, chives, and lemon wedges if desired.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately accompanied by crackers, bagel chips, or fresh vegetable crudités.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The velvety texture contrasts beautifully with the smoky salmon bits, creating little flavor explosions with each bite.
  • You can prepare it in just 10 minutes flat when unexpected guests text they are on their way.
02 -
  • Overmixing after adding the salmon can turn your beautiful dip an unappetizing gray color rather than maintaining those distinct pink pieces.
  • The flavor actually improves after about 2 hours in the refrigerator, making this the perfect make-ahead appetizer.
03 -
  • When shopping for smoked salmon, look for pieces with a vibrant color and avoid any that appear dry around the edges for the best flavor in your dip.
  • For the smoothest texture, let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least an hour before beginning, a step I regrettably skipped during my first attempt.
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