Smoked Salmon Dip, the World Famous Recipe

Not a dinner party or gathering happens in our family without this world-famous Smoked Salmon Dip, made with big flakes of smoked salmon in a rich, creamy base of cream cheese and tart yogurt. Shall we?

Explore More

• What You Need to Make World Famous Smoked Salmon Dip
• What Kind of Smoked Salmon Do You Use for Dip
• Is Smoked Salmon Healthy?
• What Wine Goes with Smoked Salmon Dip
• Best Recipes with Smoked Salmon
• Smoked Salmon Dip, the World Famous Recipe

What You Need to Make World Famous Smoked Salmon Dip

Refrigerator/fresh ingredients:

• Smoked salmon, 8 ounces
• Yogurt, ½ cup
• Whipped cream cheese, ½ cup
• Lemon, 1 for zest and juice
• Dill, 2-3 stems
• Chives

Pantry/dry ingredients:

• Sea salt to taste

There are a few types of salmon that we call "smoked salmon." Types vary in everything from the species of the fish—coho, king, sockeye etc—to the method of smoking. As if that weren't confusing enough, they are all called different things, but also called "smoked salmon": lox, nova lox, gravlax, which isn't even smoked, it's just cured in salt and spirits, etc.

For this Smoked Salmon Dip recipe, use hot-smoked salmon, which looks like a thick piece of actual cooked salmon. It is smoked at a higher temperature, and flakes into larger pieces. This is the "honey-smoked" brand that everyone in my family loves; sometimes you can find a similar brand at CostCo.

Cold-smoked salmon, or Norwegian smoked salmon, is smoked at a lower temperature, looks shiny and slippery, and is the kind you usually see served very thinly sliced, often in the context of bagels and cream cheese. Cold-smoked salmon is the kind used for a different kind of French Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese spread recipe.

If you want to get deep into cured and smoked salmon so that you know what to look for, what to ask for, and what you like, check out this post with Smoked Salmon 101, Everything You Wanted to Know About Smoked Salmon.

Is Smoked Salmon Healthy?

We already know that salmon is considered healthy for its nutrient profile, which includes its protein content as well its omega-3 fat density.

• Salmon is an excellent source of protein. Depending on the type—King, sockeye, coho, Atlantic—salmon has 20-22 grams of protein per 100-gram/3.5-ounce serving.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids. When we talk about the health benefits of salmon, we are almost always talking about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, the all-star anti-inflammatory compound associated with supporting gut health and reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other inflammation-induced diseases. Salmon is one of the highest concentration, highest quality sources of omega-3 fatty acids, containing 2,150 mg per 3-ounce serving.
• Vitamins. Salmon is also one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world. In addition to the high levels of above-mentioned omega-3s, salmon is an excellent source of vitamin B12 for cellular energy, vitamin D which our bodies cannot make on our own, and the essential mineral selenium that has antioxidant properties that protect the heart, reduce cognitive decline, and boost immunity. (source: NIH)

Smoked Salmon Health Considerations

So does the "healthy" label also apply to salmon that is smoked? Yes, smoked salmon can be healthy, with a couple of considerations, as always, sodium and smoke. Because smoked salmon is made with salt, the sodium content is higher than regular fresh salmon. If sodium is a health concern for you, read nutrition labels on the smoked salmon package. Additionally, smoked salmon contains the same compounds in other smoked and cured meats that can be harmful to health in large amounts.

If you are concerned about the smoke, you can make this dip with canned salmon in the same amount, about 3 can drained, or cooked salmon. Your Salmon Dip won't have the same smoked flavor, but will still be rich and delicious.

Additional Ingredients Notes and Substitutions

• Greek yogurt. I use this organic, pasture-raised A2 yogurt that you can get at Whole Foods and some smaller specialty grocery stores. A2 dairy milk contains predominantly A2 protein which is more easily digestible and absorbable for some people. Depending on the brand, the "type" of yogurt, and the fat percentage of your yogurt, your Smoked Salmon Dip might be thinner or thicker than you prefer. Always err on the side of thicker because it's easier to thin out with water or oil later.
• Cream Cheese. Use whipped cream cheese if you can, which will be easier to stir straight out of the container. If you get a brick of cream cheese, just let it sit out on the countertop for about 15 minutes to soften up.
• Lemon, herbs, and all other produce from local farmers markets or Whole Foods market

What Wine Goes with Smoked Salmon Dip

Sparkling wine is a perfect match to the salt and umami of the smoked salmon, and the wine's effervescence will cut through the richness of the cream cheese and yogurt base. The current house favorite Champagne is 2008 Cristal by Louis Roederer (100 points across the board, but that's not the point).

Cava (Spanish) and Prosecco (Italian) are sparkling wines from different parts of the world and a little more affordable.

Best Recipes with Smoked Salmon

Can you tell we love smoked salmon in this kitchen? Check out this Complete Smoked Salmon Guide, which has more info than you ever asked for on hot-smoked vs cold-smoked salmon, lox vs belly lox vs nova lox, and more! Then come back and try some of the best-loved smoked salmon recipes

• Classic Smoked Salmon Platter recipe with traditional smoked salmon accompaniments, is great for a low-prep weekend brunch, lunch, or appetizer.
• Smoked Salmon Got Cheese Spread is a different type of dip/spread, inspired by French impressionst artist Claude Monet, that uses goat cheese and cold-smoked salmon, the slippery, silky kind that is often sold as paper-thin slices, and you most commonly see on traditional smoked salmon platters.
• Smoked Salmon Pizza, inspired the Smoked Salmon Pizza by chef Wolfgang Puck at his restaurant Spago and the Oscars!
• Smoked Salmon and Latkes Platter for the Holidays