Easy Smoked Mackerel Spread (Creamy 10-Minute Fish Dip)

Creamy smoked mackerel spread in a serving bowl garnished with fresh dill and served with toasted bread slices and lemon wedges.

Easy Smoked Mackerel Spread (Creamy 10-Minute Fish Dip)

Course: Appetizers, Dips&Spreads, Snack

Cuisine: British, International

Diet: Halal, Low Fat

Keyword: easy fish spread, easy smoked mackerel spread, smoked mackerel dip, smoked mackerel pate, smoked mackerel recipe, smoked mackerel spread, smoked mackerel spread recipe

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: portions

Calories: 256kcal

Author: Timea

Looking for a quick, flavorful appetizer? This creamy smoked mackerel spread comes together in just 10 minutes using 4 simple ingredients. Rich, smoky, and blended with fresh dill, chives, and lemon juice, it is the ultimate spread for warm crusty bread, crackers, or fresh vegetable crudités.

Print Recipe

Metrics - US Customary

Equipment

1 electric food chopper or mini food processor
1 Mixing bowl & spatula
1 Cutting board & chef’s knife

Ingredients

200 g smoked mackerel fillets skin removed and pin bones checked
200 g cream cheese full-fat, slightly softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
½ teaspoon ground pepper freshly ground

Instructions

Prep the fish and herbs: Peel the shiny skin away from the smoked mackerel fillets and discard. Break the fish into chunks by hand, feeling along the center seam to remove any fine pin bones. Finely chop the fresh dill and chives.
Blend the base: Place the mackerel chunks and softened cream cheese into the bowl of an electric food chopper or small food processor. Pulse and process for 45 to 60 seconds until completely smooth, scraping down the sides once with a spatula.
Season and fold: Transfer the blended mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the chopped dill, chopped chives, fresh lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper. Gently fold everything together with a spoon until evenly distributed.
Garnish and serve: Spoon the spread into a serving dish, garnish with a light sprinkle of black pepper and fresh dill, and serve immediately with toasted bread, crackers, or sliced vegetables alongside lemon wedges.

Video

Notes

Fish Alternatives: You can easily swap hot-smoked mackerel for hot-smoked trout or flaked hot-smoked salmon using the same 1:1 ratio with cream cheese.
Texture Option: For a chunkier, rustic dip, skip the food chopper and flake the mackerel finely with a fork before stirring in the cream cheese and seasonings.
Why fold herbs by hand? Pureeing fresh herbs inside the electric chopper will bruise the leaves and turn the entire dip a dull green color. Folding them by hand preserves bright, distinct green flecks throughout the pale spread.
Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container with cling film pressed against the surface for up to 3–4 days. Freezing is not recommended as the dairy will separate upon thawing.

Nutrition