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–+ servings
a close up of a piece of bread with smoked salmon spread

Easy Smoked Salmon Cheese Dip Recipe (video)

15 minutes prep + 25 minutes cook
5 cups
The best smoked salmon cheese dip recipe - an easy seafood appetizer recipe! Made with smoked salmon, peppers, spinach, garlic and more!

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 large shallots, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup grated smoked gouda, or smoked mozzarella, cheddar
  • 16 ounces hot smoked salmon, crab also works well
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried basil

For Topping:

  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley

For Serving:

  • 1 baguette, sliced

Instructions

Cooking the Spinach Pepper Mixture:

  • Preheat the oven to 375F. You will need a ceramic baking dish that will also double as a serving dish.
  • Preheat a sauté pan over medium/low heat and add the butter. Add the diced bell pepper and shallots and sauté for a 5 to 7 minutes until the pepper and onion are soft but not browned.
  • Add in the garlic and chopped spinach next and cook for about 1 minute, until the spinach is wilted down. Remove the mixture from heat and cool.

Making the Spread:

  • Into a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Use a whisk to blend the cream cheese until it's smooth. Add in the grated gouda and parmesan next.
  • Next, add in all the seasonings: parsley, dill, salt, pepper, paprika, dried basil, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
  • Remove the smoked salmon from its packaging, remove and discard the skin, then flake the salmon into the mixing bowl. Finally, add in the cooled pepper and spinach mixture.
  • Spread the prepared salmon cheese dip into a ceramic dish and smooth off the top with a spatula.
  • Next, prepare the topping: combine the panko bread crumbs with the melted butter, parsley, and garlic powder. Toss the crumbs until they're well coated, then sprinkle the topping over the dip in an even layer.

Baking Instructions:

  • Bake the dip in your preheated oven at 375F for about 25 minutes, until the topping turns golden brown and dip is bubbling along the sides of the dish. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes before serving.
  • Serve this creamy and aromatic salmon dip with toasted baguette or crackers. Make sure to have a spreader on hand! Or, enjoy it with a crudités tray with carrots, celery and bell pepper. This spread is a great dip for veggies, too!

Make Ahead Instructions:

  • When I'm planning a party, I like to make this seafood appetizer ahead of time to save time. Just follow the instructions and prepare the salmon dip as written, including the topping. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it.
  • This cheese dip also freezes nicely! Cover it well with foil and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbsp | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 219IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.3mg