This homemade smoked salmon cream cheese spread is creamy, tangy, and packed with rich, savory flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes with absolutely no cooking required, it is the ultimate gourmet upgrade for your morning bagels or party appetizer platters!
400gcream cheeseplain, full-fat brick, softened at room temperature
120gsmoked salmonor lox, finely diced
25gfresh chivesfinely chopped
¼pieceslemon juicefreshly squeezed juice
¼teaspoonsea saltto taste
¼teaspoonground pepperfreshly ground, to taste
1teaspoonfresh dillfinely chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Finely chop the fresh chives (reserving a few whole threads for garnish) and finely dice the slices of smoked salmon into small bits or ribbons.
Step 2: Place the softened cream cheese into a medium mixing bowl. Add the chopped chives first and stir well to combine.
Step 3: Add the finely diced smoked salmon and the fresh lemon juice to the bowl. Use a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula to gently fold the ingredients together until evenly distributed.
Step 4: Gently fold in the fresh chopped dill, a tiny pinch of salt, and a crack of black pepper. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully meld.
Video
Notes
Chef's Texture Tip: Mix the herbs into the cream cheese before adding the fish. This prevents the delicate smoked salmon from breaking down too much or turning into a mushy paste.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. Freezing is not recommended, as cream cheese becomes grainy and crumbly once thawed.
Serving Suggestion: Serve slathered generously over toasted everything bagels, or spread on crisp cucumber rounds for a light, low-carb appetizer.