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.
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Lorena says
Hey! Can I use something else instead of salmon? As tuna for example?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lorena, you could use tuna if you prefer the taste more 🙂
Matt says
One thing that I found when spreading the spread on the cucumber slices is that the moisture from the cucumber caused the spread to slide around. What I did to remedy this was to blot the cucumber slices between two pieces of paper towel to take away the moisture. Then the salmon cream cheese spread well.
simplyhomecooked says
Thanks for the tip Matt!
Mila says
Replaced dill with a dash of lime chopped chilli and corriander. Both recipes are amazing
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Mila 🙂
Ruth says
Hi there I can’t find anywhere how many syns there are in these please?
Ps I’ve just made them for a party and they’re delicious!
simplyhomecooked says
Hey Ruth, I’m glad you enjoyed them! At the bottom of the recipe, in the print version, it should say that it makes about 30 rolls.
Meghan says
I am so excited to try this recipe, I was just curious if you cook the salmon at all, or if it is precooked? Thanks so much!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Meghan, the salmon is precooked 🙂
Tanya kosoc says
Where did you get your salmon from? Can a different kind of salmon be used? For instance something like this http://www.publix.com/pd/vita-classic-salmon-atlantic-nova-sliced-smoked-premium/RIO-PCI-101169
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Tanya, the salmon you linked is lox. It won’t work because it won’t flake the same way. It will change the texture of the cream cheese mixture making it very hard to spread onto the cucumber slices.
Mai says
Hi 🙂 Is it possible to make the filling the day before and keep it in the fridge?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Mai, yes the filling can be made a day in advance, as long as it’s refrigerated.
Emily says
How do you get them to stay together when you roll them up?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Emily, mine stayed together when I rolled them. If they aren’t staying together, maybe try putting a toothpick through the rolls?
Faye says
tell me how to peel the cucumber. Do you peel off the peel first? If you do that, how to you get the pretty dark green edge? Do you recommend a seedless English cucumber?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Faye, no I do not peel off the outer dark green peel. I recommend a seedless cucumber.
Diane says
Hi, these look so good. I can’t eat cream cheese though. Is there something else I can use instead? Would a Greek yogurt work?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Diane, I don’t think Greek yogurt will work. It will be too runny compared to cream cheese.
victor cappa says
Wow, those look delicious! I have to make today haha. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
You’re welcome Victor, enjoy! 🙂
Anna says
Hi! I’m getting married this summer and planning on making some apps for our guests post-dinner when everyone is drinking and could use some nibbles (I’m on a major budget, so can’t cater in post-dinner food).
These look delish and I think it would be a great item to serve, but I’m wondering how long these will keep? If I were to make them on a Thursday, would they last till Saturday evening?
Any other ideas on easy apps to pre-make (serving about 100 guests) would be so super appreciated!!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Anna, congratulations! These smoked salmon cucumber rolls won’t taste as fresh if you make them to early in advance. You don’t want to eat them any later than 1 day after making them. I have a smoked salmon appetizer that would probably last 1 day longer and it’s very budget friendly as well. Here is the link… https://simplyhomecooked.com/salmon-cream-cheese-cups/
Molly says
I used this as an appetizer for a potluck of 85, they were gone before they even made it to the table! Great recipe I will for sure use it again!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Molly! That’s awesome 🙂
Aroha says
This looks fabulous! I’m going to be popular tomorrow. Thanks a lot.
Aroha
simplyhomecooked says
Haha you’re welcome Aroha!
Sandra Roberts says
Sorry. I meant ‘minced’.
Sandra Roberts says
If you finely minced pimento or red pepper and mixed it in the salmon spread it would make the red/green contrast really spectacular for Christmas…
simplyhomecooked says
Great idea for a Christmas party Sandra!
Sandra Roberts says
If you finely mineed pimento or red pepper and mixed it in the salmon spread it would make the red/green contrast really spectacular for Christmas…
Travis says
wow, just what I was looking for, even a guy should be able to handle this one, lol
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Travis, that’s great! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Di says
Hi Dina!
Can i prepare the filling a few days in advance? And then assemble before serving..
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Di, yes you can definitely make the filling in advance. Just keep it refrigerated in an air tight container.
Anna says
These look so elegant! Thanks for sharing 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Anna! 🙂
Sarah says
So does the salmon have to be cooked? Or can I use raw salmon? For my hubby for his bday party 🙂 yummy!!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Sarah, there are 2 different types of smoked salmon (hot smoked and cold smoked). This recipe calls for applewood smoked salmon which is hot smoked, therefore it is cooked. I hope you all enjoy this recipe 🙂
Kay says
Can this be prepared the day before?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Kay, its best to prepare it the day of. It will probably get soggy if you do it too far in advance.
Virginia says
I would say cooked