All you need is 4 ingredients to make this Smoked Salmon Appetizer recipe.
These tasty appetizers are very elegant yet super simple to make and their subtle flavor makes them 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.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
This Smoked Salmon Appetizer recipe was inspired by one of the first recipes published on my blog. I decided to make a low-carb and healthier version of that recipe, which turned out to be even more popular! You’re going to love it!
- TASTE: These appetizers are full of smoky flavor and richness. The mild flavor of the cucumber and herbaceous dill are the perfect complements to the cream cheese.
- TEXTURE: With a crisp layer of cucumber and a creamy center of cream cheese and salmon, this dish is utterly scrumptious.
- TIME: This recipe will take 30 minutes.
- EASE: This Smoked Salmon Appetizer is so easy. With just 4 ingredients, you can whip it up in no time.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Smoked salmon- You can use fresh or frozen salmon for this recipe. Just make sure it is thawed so it easily mixes into the spread.
- Cucumber- Regular cucumbers work best because they are thicker.
- Cream cheese- Full-fat cream cheese will give the richest flavor, but you can also use low-fat if you prefer.
- Dill- Using fresh herbs is best because it has a fresher, smoother flavor. But dried dill can also be used in a pinch.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add Dijon mustard or lemon juice- Add some Dijon mustard or lemon zest or juice to the spread for some tanginess.
- Substitute another cheese- You can also make this appetizer with Neufchatel cheese, brie, or mascarpone cheese.
- Add Greek yogurt or sour cream- Adding this to the spread will give it a tangy flavor, and the yogurt will also add some healthy protein.
- Add capers- These little things have so much lemony, briny flavor, and would taste delicious in these Smoked Salmon Appetizer.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Appetizer
- Make the spread. First, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped dill, and smoked salmon into a smooth spread.
- Peel the cucumber. Then, peel the cucumber into thin strips using a vegetable peeler. Blot each cucumber slice with a paper towel to absorb any moisture on the cucumber.
Pro Tip: Blotting off extra moisture from the cucumber really helps with spreading the smoked salmon cream cheese spread on top.
- Assemble the appetizer. Now spread the smoked salmon spread on top and tightly roll each sliced cucumber up. Serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use the right peeler- I like to use a “Y” shaped peeler to get wider strips of cucumber so more salmon can be spread on them.
- Dry the cucumber slices- Pat the sliced cucumber with paper towels to dry them so the cream cheese mixture doesn’t slide off.
- Soften the cream cheese- If you use room temperature cream cheese, it will really help better incorporate the smoked salmon.
FAQs
Technically, you can, but the texture and taste will be different than with 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.
Serving Suggestions
These Smoked Salmon Appetizer bites are versatile enough to serve with anything. Enjoy them with main courses, sides, crackers, or other appetizers. Here are a few suggestions:
- Meats: Serve this appetizer before a Ribeye Steak, Smoked Chicken Thighs, Pork Crown Roast, or Braised Beef Short Ribs (VIDEO).
- Salad: Pair this Smoked Salmon Appetizer with a Spinach Pomegranate Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Cucumber Radish Salad, or Antipasto Salad.
- Sides: Enjoy it alongside some Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Sauteed Garlic Asparagus, Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Air Fryer Green Beans.
- Other appetizers: Serve it with other appetizers, such as Eggplant Appetizers (Roll-ups), Mushroom Puff Pastry Appetizers, and Chicken and Mushroom Phyllo Appetizers (VIDEO).
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: 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.
Storing: Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until they are ready to serve. They can last up to 3-4 days, but will begin getting soggy within a few hours.
Freeze: The cucumbers do not freeze well so I don’t recommend freezing this Smoked Salmon Appetizer. You should only make what you plan to serve in a few hours.
More Delicious Salmon Dishes!
Check out this video!
Full Recipe Instructions
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.
- Bang Bang Chicken Skewers - June 9, 2025
- California Roll Sushi Bowls - June 4, 2025
- Caprese Chicken - May 31, 2025
Shelly says
I would 100% recommend substituting raw zucchini/courgette for the cucumber. Waaay less hassle. Less water content. No need to salt/dry out in advance. Fewer seeds. Bought one as a back up for dinner party today and so glad I did. Wrapped using both, but the zucchini/courgette held up a WHOLE lot better…giving you more time leeway for timings (ie set them out ahead). Also the spread easily sticks to it when you’re spreading on. The cucumber, not so much, even after pressing inside a tea towel for 30 mins with sea salt to dry.
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.
Carly says
I laid the cucumbers out on a paper towel and lightly salted them to bring out some of the water. After 5 minutes or so I wiped off the excess moisture and they were much better.
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.