All you need is 4 ingredients to make this smoked salmon cucumber appetizer recipe.
These tasty appetizers are very elegant yet super simple to make. Their subtle flavor makes it easy to serve with almost any meal.
If you love the addition of smoked salmon in your food, you might enjoy our easy smoked salmon tortilla cups or smoked salmon salad.
How to make smoked salmon cucumber appetizers
- First, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped dill, and smoked salmon into a smooth spread. Then, peel the cucumber into thin strips using a vegetable peeler.
- You’ll want to blot each cucumber slice with a paper towel to absorb any moisture on the cucumber. This will really help with spreading the smoked salmon cream cheese spread on top.
- Now spread the smoked salmon spread on top and tightly roll each sliced cucumber up.
TIPS to make smoked salmon cucumber appetizer.
- I like to use a “Y” shaped peeler to get wider strips of cucumber.
- Also, pat the sliced cucumber with paper towels to dry them so the cream cheese mixture doesn’t slide around.
- If you use room temperature cream cheese, it will really help better incorporate the smoked salmon.
Can I make smoked salmon cucumber rolls ahead of time?
Unfortunately, these appetizers are best served an hour or 2 after making them. So, you can’t make them too far in advance or they may get a little soggy. Also, make sure to keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.
Can I use lox or cold smoked salmon instead of hot smoked salmon?
Technically, you can, but the texture and taste will be different than with hot smoked salmon.
What is the difference between cold smoked and hot smoked salmon?
Cold smoked salmon often referred to as lox is cured in a salt and sugar rub or brine. Hot smoked salmon is actually smoked and cooked with heat.
This recipe was inspired by one of my first recipes published on my blog, smoked salmon appetizers. I’ve decided to make a low-carb, and healthier version of the first salmon appetizer on my blog. And to my surprise, this healthier version of the recipe is more popular!
Check out this video!
If you love salmon, try these other salmon recipes:
Salmon Wellington– Salmon and cheesy spinach wrapped in puff pastry.
Panko Crusted Salmon– with lemony garlic mayonnaise and crispy panko Parmesan crust.
Pesto Butter Salmon– baked with fresh basil pesto butter.
Smoked Salmon Appetizer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 tbsp dill chopped
- 3 oz smoked salmon
Instructions
- Combine softened cream cheese, chopped dill, and smoked salmon into a smooth spread.
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber into thin strips. Then dap them dry with paper towels. This will help keep the spread in place.
- Spread the smoked salmon spread onto each strip and roll them up. Serve chilled. Tip: don't make them too far in advance or they can become soggy.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on July 12, 2016. As you can see, it has been updated since. Here are some of our older images.
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Donna Bromley says
I made these smoked salmon/cucumber appies last night for a dinner party. I tried to dry the cucumber as best as I could but they still turned out rather soggy and they had trouble standing up straight! Just wondering if anyone else has found a solution for this. They tasted good and everyone seemed to like them but the presentation certainly wasn’t like the picture!
Dina says
Hi Donna, I am glad to hear that everyone enjoyed the flavor for these salmon cucumber appetizers 🙂 What type of cucumber did you use? Also, if the cucumber was cut too thin, that could also cause them not to hold their shape as well. I hope that helps.
Vonda Chapman says
Yum🥰
simplyhomecooked says
I am so happy that you loved this smoked salmon cucumber appetizer Vonda! Thank you for your kind feedback 🙂
Jane Harkins says
Are you using an English cucumber or a fresh garden variety? The latter created a disaster, since the seeds cause problems with smooth slicing, and where garden cues are wide and stubby, they don’t make a pretty roll and are very
watery.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Jane, Im not sure what type of variety mine is called. But the closest thing to it would be an English cucumber. If the cucumber is too dry try patting it dry before spreading the cream cheese mixture. I hope that helps 🙂
Mihaela Patraulea says
Hi, can I use zucchini instead of cucumber? Thanks!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Mihaela, I have never tried it so I’m not too sure how it will taste. Most people like cooked zucchini, but if you like raw zucchini then it might work.
shelley Fletcher says
These look awesome! What is the carb count? I didn’t see it in the nutrition info. I’m looking for net carbs. Either for the who recipe or per roll please..
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Shelly. That’s a great question. I don’t seem to see any carb count in the nutrition info. I will look into that and see why it doesn’t display the number of carbs. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Polly says
We made these for a shower and they are beautiful and delicious. But we only got 13 out of a recipe and we doubled the salmon. How do you get 30? We want to do these again.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Polly, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them 🙂 I think the number of servings depends on the size of the cucumber.
DonnaSanta says
Can these be made with canned flaked salmon? I plan to make them for my Herb Club Harvest Dinner!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Donna, you can use flaked canned salmon but it will taste a little different than the smoked salmon.
JoAnn says
Can you use dried dill ?
simplyhomecooked says
Typically if a dish requires cooking, you can get a away with using dried herbs since cooking them will extract more flavor. In this case, I would stick with fresh herbs since there is no cooking required here.
Esa says
Hi! I’m planning on making this for dinner for my wife. Is there any meal that would go well with this?
simplyhomecooked says
Hello Esa, these cucumber rolls would probably pair best with a summer dish. Any gilled meat would go well here.
Michelle Buissé says
Hello!
I made these yesterday and they were really delicious. However, they got SUPER soggy and watery, which took away the magic of the creamy cheesy filing. Do you have any tips on how to make it so the cuke does slobber all over over time?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Michelle, it really helps to blot the sliced cucumber with a dry paper towel before spreading on the cream cheese 🙂
Karin Walton says
what kind of peeler are you using for the cucumber? I’m just learning how to cook so I appologize for sounding stupid. I tried a potatoe peeler and it didn’t work. Help. Karin
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Karin, don’t worry, potato peelers are more common so it would only make sense to use what you have. This recipe requires a “Y” type of peeler. Here is a link to where you can purchase one. Most stores should have them as well 🙂 https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Y-Peeler/dp/B00004OCIU/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1531028050&sr=1-6&keywords=vegetable+peeler
Melody says
Could you use crab meat, real or imitation?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Melody, you could use imitation or real crab meat but it will have a different taste compared to the smoked salmon.
Jessica says
Hi wanting to make these for a party could I make the cream cheese filling prior to the event and place in fridge and then assemble on the day?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Jessica, yes you can make the cream cheese filling 1-2 days ahead of time. Keep the assemble as close to as possible to when you will be eating the cucumber appetizer. They can get a little soggy. Remember to pat them dry prior to applying the smoked salmon spread. I hope you enjoy this salmon cucumber appetizer recipe! 🙂
Amanda R says
Hey how do I get the spread to stick to the cucumber
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Amanda, you can try to pat the cucumber with a paper towel if tis too wet.
Lynne says
Could I use can crabmeat in place of the salmon? Thank you!!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lynne, I’ve never tried it with crabmeat, but if you prefer the taste of crab over smoked salmon, give it a try 🙂
Margaret Marshall says
Can i use smoked salmon in a pkg ?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Margaret, I’m not too sure what you mean. The salmon I used in the recipe is hot smoked (packaged) salmon.