Smoked Salmon Spread, homemade. After making this smoked salmon spread you’ll never purchase it from the store again … ever. Simple ingredients, and simple to make. Perfect appetizer for any type of party. A perfect appetizer for Wine tasting parties.
In the past, whenever I was feeling wealthy, I’d pick up a small tub of Whole Foods Smoked Salmon Spread. Always a treat and considered an indulgence.
But thanks to Larry over at Big Dude’s Eclectic Ramblings, I can have my cake and eat it too with this delicious homemade smoked salmon spread. It yielded twice the amount for less than half the cost.
I served this at our Super Bowl Party and upon first bite my friend Cauleen exclaimed, “This is delicious…is it Ina’s recipe?” I simply replied, “Actually no, it’s Larry’s“. In a blink of an eye, and no questions asked, Larry became one of those famous chef’s that are referred to on first name basis. Well, at least famous in our house…and on that day…and for probably 8 seconds. Let’s take a look.
How To Make Smoked Salmon Spread With Cream Cheese
With softened cream cheese, this comes together in a jif. And everyone who tried it at our party, took the time to comment on how good it was. Although Larry smoked his own salmon for this recipe, I just picked up a package of smoked salmon at the grocery store. Can you imagine how good it would be if you took the time to smoke your own?
- All you need is 8 ounces of smoked salmon. Just pick up your favorite brand next time you’re at the store.
- Let an 8 ounce package of cream cheese come to room temperature.
- In a bowl add the cream cheese and 8 ounces of sour cream. Blend the two together.
- Add two tablespoons fine diced onions. Shallots would be good here also.
- Add some flavoring: 1 tablespoon lemon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce.
- Drain but don’t rinse 4 Tablespoons of capers. Chop them up a bit.
- Add 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons of dried dill.
- This is better if allowed to rest overnight.
- Save a few capers to decorate the top and serve with your favorite cracker.
What Goes With Salmon Spread?
I happen to favor a good-ol’ Ritz Cracker. But here are some other ways to answer your question of what to serve with salmon spread:
- Water Crackers. They have less flavor which lets the flavor of the salmon spread shine.
- Endive leaves. Just separate the leaves from a head of endive. Rinse and pat dry and add them to your platter with the salmon spread in the middle.
- Sturdy dip-able veggies. Carrot strips, celery sticks, thick sliced cucumbers and even sugar snap peas.
- Crostini. Just slice a French baguette and brush both sides with oil. Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and broil each side until lightly toasted. This should take less than a minute per side. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.
- Bagels, of course!
- Rye Crisp Crackers make for an interesting flavor combo and a nice texture. Triscuit crackers are always a good choice.
Recipe for Smoked Salmon Spread
I hope you give this make ahead smoked salmon spread recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And if you have a favorite smoked salmon appetizer recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.
More Smoked Salmon Recipes
- Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter
- Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad with Dill
- Savory Scones Appetizer with Smoked Trout
And if you’re looking for even more appetizer recipe ideas, don’t miss my Appetizer Category. You’ll find tons of ideas. And the most popular appetizer recipe on my site, Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini. You gotta try that one.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll never buy store bought again.
- 8 ounces smoked salmon
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 2 Tablespoon finely diced onion
- 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons roughly chopped capers drained but unrinsed
- 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
- Mix all together, let set over night and adjust for flavor.
Looking for more smoked salmon appetizer ideas? Take a look at:
Smoked Salmon With Cheese and Horseradish Cream Sauce
Smoked Salmon Spread …It’s What’s For A Party!
Russ says
February 10, 2011 at 8:14 amSo glad you remembered the capers. That’s often overlooked.
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:50 pmI love, love, love capers! How could anyone forget them. 🙂
Nancy says
February 10, 2011 at 8:18 amLooks wonderful! Passing this on to my chef. As for the dish – the good news is it might prompt a visit from Vickie – and that would be fun!! It is adorable!
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:50 pmWell true Nancy, it would be nice to see Vickie. Hope the chef likes the dip.
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
February 10, 2011 at 8:35 amLarry’s blog is fantastic! I visit daily to see what’s going on in his kitchen. His breakfasts are the best ever. I’m having a family birthday party on Sunday and hadn’t decided on an appetizer until I saw this. Great photo, Lea Ann.
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:49 pmI agree Cathy. I look forward to his daily endulgences. Thanks for the photo compliment.
larry says
February 10, 2011 at 9:07 amThanks for trying it and for the shout out Lea Ann. It’s nice to be famous somewhere, as I fear I’m infamous in most places. 🙂
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:48 pmYou’re welcome Larry!
pam says
February 10, 2011 at 9:46 amAhh…Larry’s.
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:47 pmToo funny Pam
Susan says
February 10, 2011 at 9:53 amYum! Sounds delicious! I’m going to give this a try, especially since DH won’t eat capers–I’ll get the whole batch to myself!
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:47 pmWon’t eat capers??? What’s wrong with that guy? 😉
Dave says
February 10, 2011 at 10:54 amLooks great! I do a similar version and it’s gotten to the point that we can’t go to family gatherings unless we have a bowl of it with us.
Lea Ann says
February 10, 2011 at 4:43 pmI’d be interested to know what is different about your version. I’ve never looked at recipes or tried any other than this one.
Dave says
February 11, 2011 at 8:50 amFirst, I double the recipe because my brother-in-law can eat half of it if left alone with the bowl. Then I replace half the sour cream with mayo, use 1 tablespoon lemon juice and some fresh ground pepper instead of lemon pepper, skip the Worcestershire and dill, and add 1 teaspoon of the caper juice and a teaspoon of Chesapeake Bay seasoning. Like it said, it’s real close. Sometimes I’ll add a tablespoon of fresh horseradish too just for kick.
Love the kitty bowl.
Karen Harris says
February 10, 2011 at 12:08 pmThis looks great. I too am a dishaholic. My cupboards are bursting with different patterns and shapes. Speaking of dishes, how would you like an extra $65.00 to buy some new ones because you are my giveaway winner! No kidding, Random.org chose you as my winner. E-mail me with your address and I’ll send you the code. Congratulations!
larry says
February 10, 2011 at 1:16 pmI can’t believe you won yet another give away, even though you are plenty deserving. Maybe you should quit your day job 🙂
The Food Hound says
February 10, 2011 at 6:24 pmI LOVE smoked salmon and trout spread… I just wish my friends did so I could take it to a party!! Woe is me!! This looks awesome, I would love to make my own someday and eat it all ourselves 🙂
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 7:57 amSurely there’s a friend hiding somewhere that would love this spread! But I like your idea of eating it all yourselves. Thanks for stopping by
Reeni says
February 10, 2011 at 6:53 pmThis looks insanely good Lee Ann! I love salmon cream cheese and this looks even better. Where in the world did you get that adorable bowl – so cute!
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 7:56 amThanks Reeni. I got that bowl at Sur la Table at Christmas. They only had two, a small bowl and a matching plate. I grabbed them right up.
Chris says
February 10, 2011 at 8:28 pmExcellent job. You and Larry both rocked this one.
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 7:54 amThanks Chris!
Vickie says
February 10, 2011 at 9:52 pmLmao…. You know me well, LA! You should probably hide his one from me next time I pay you a visit, because it’s flipping adorable! This recipe looks and sounds so darned good and how great that Larry did all the tweaking. I love bloggers.
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 7:54 amOk, I’ll hide the bowl…and the matching plate that goes with it. 🙂 I’m just looking forward to a “next time” visit. Maybe we should send all of our questionable recipes to Larry…he can be our tweakmeister.
My Carolina Kitchen says
February 11, 2011 at 4:47 amI’m so glad you featured Larry’s smoked salmon spread. He will be known world-wide now. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Larry and Bev in person at Almost Heaven South and they’re the best! Lea Ann, do you think you could fly-in for the next blogger get-together?
I wish I could smoke my own salmon like he did. But alas, I will have to buy it too. I’ll be giving this a try real soon.
Sam
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 5:06 pmSam, I most certainly would entertain the idea of coming for a blogger meetup. How fun to meet everyone in person.
Rosemary@Sprigs of Rosemary says
February 11, 2011 at 5:17 amI’m a sucker for smoked salmon . . . I’d love to have this, right now, even though it’s just 7 a.m. here! Thanks for sharing. The capers are just right, just like the kitten!
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 5:05 pmThanks Rosemary! It’s a good recipe and so easy.
Joanne says
February 11, 2011 at 3:17 pmOh wow. I too love smoked salmon spread and have definitely spent way too much money on it over the course of my lifetime. No more! thanks to you and Larry for the recipe!
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 4:29 pmThanks Joanne! It’s so easy to make, no reason to spend the bucks.
Zia Liz says
February 11, 2011 at 6:09 pmI found myself feeling very nostalgic while reading your post… years ago, Zio and I had a smoked salmon pate at our wedding reception. I’m going to make this! I know it will bring back so many happy memories for both of us.
Lea Ann says
February 11, 2011 at 6:31 pmFabulous Liz! I love memory associations like that. 🙂
rebecca says
February 11, 2011 at 9:18 pmwow this looks great I admit I am a sucker for those spreads as well, great to know how to make it from scratch have a good weekend
Karen says
February 12, 2011 at 10:43 amIt’s been way too long since I’ve had smoked salmon, so first, I’m going to have to do something about that! Second, Larry’s spread looks wonderful!
Lea Ann says
February 13, 2011 at 6:08 amLarry’s recipe is a good one Karen. Of course I’ve never made any other recipe to compare, but did love this one.
DebinHawaii says
February 12, 2011 at 10:09 pmLooks delicious–my friend makes a similar dip and I love it–it is amazing how good homemade smoked salmon dip is. (And BTW I would want to steal that adorable dish too!) 😉
Lea Ann says
February 13, 2011 at 6:07 amIsn’t that dish adorable…I found it at Sur la Table at Christmas. Deb, I made a delicious soup last night that will be heading over to paradise for Souper Sunday.
Kristi Rimkus says
February 12, 2011 at 10:13 pmLove the kitty dish! You might have to worry about me stealing it too. I don’t worry about dogs. I always have doggie treats on hand.
Fantastic spread. Definitely a recipe worth keeping on hand!
Kristi
Lea Ann says
February 13, 2011 at 6:06 amDoggie treats go over big in this house…anyway, they’d probably lick your ankles bloody. As always thanks for stopping by Kristi and the comment
Beth says
February 14, 2011 at 10:09 amIs there anything better than serving something that’s easy AND delicious! BTW I love your bowl too!
Lea Ann says
February 15, 2011 at 6:13 amI agree Beth. The hardest part is waiting for the cream cheese to come to room temp. 🙂 Easy and delicious
Heather @girlichef says
February 14, 2011 at 5:04 pmI have never had salmon spread…i must change that PRONTO! Sounds soooo good! And yeah, that bowl is awesome…too cute 😉
Lea Ann says
February 15, 2011 at 6:12 amSalmon spread is really good Heather, you’ve got to give it a try.
Barbara says
February 16, 2011 at 5:03 amLove salmon dip and must admit I’ve been using Ina’s recipe for ages. But the two recipes are different in s few respects. This looks a bit firmer than hers and she doesn’t use garlic powder or worcestershire sauce. Will definitely try Larry’s next time I make it. It’s really addictive, isn’t it?
Lea Ann says
February 16, 2011 at 6:15 amThanks Barbara, I’d like to try Ina’s too.
Sara says
February 16, 2011 at 11:22 pmThat dish is pretty adorable…I can see why you wanted to keep it a secret 🙂 Ever since we lived in New York, my husband has been crazy about salmon spread. Too bad I didn’t think to make this for Valentine’s Day. Oh well, maybe for the next holiday.
Lea Ann says
February 18, 2011 at 6:34 amAs always thanks for stopping by and the comment Sara. Hope to see you soon.