The Best Smoked Salmon Spread

The Best Smoked Salmon Spread

Today, we have got something seriously delicious to share with you—a mouthwatering recipe that’s close to our hearts. Let’s talk about smoked salmon spread. Yep, you heard that right—this dish is a flavor bomb that’ll rock your taste buds!

Silky, smoky salmon blended with creamy goodness, a zing of lemon, and a hint of garlic and onion. It’s like a party in your mouth! But wait, there’s more. We’ll top it off with fresh dill, everything but the bagel spice, capers, and a squeeze of lemon. Trust me, each spoonful is an explosion of flavors, that will make your guests ask for the recipe!

This recipe isn’t just about mixing stuff—it’s about recreating a recipe from a favorite recipe in St. Louis, that we would go to when we were first married. Founded in 1972, Duff’s was one of the legendary restaurants the late critic Joe Pollack dubbed the “Class of ’72,” a group of four restaurants that, according to Pollack, forever elevated the level of dining in St. Louis (the others being Balaban’s, Jefferson Avenue Boarding House, and Anthony’s).

After 41 years in business, in 2013, owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid. This place had mis-matched chairs, art on the walls, and food. that inspired us. Seriously. One of our most favorite appetizers that we ever had was served here at Duffs. It was smoked salmon spread served with toasted pumplernickel bread. It was just so memorable.

The smoked salmon spread they served was smooth and creamy. We have made a version like that before. With this recipe, we roughly chop it so there are some pieces of the smoked salmon in the spread. We have also made it with canned salmon. If you are not able to get smoked salmon fresh, canned salmon will absolutely work. In fact, left over salmon that is grilled will also taste amazing in this spread. The key is to use fresh dill and lemon. That is how they made it at Duff’s.

Well, we took that memory, and created this at home. The smoked salmon spread they served was smooth and creamy. We have made a version like that before. With this recipe, we roughly chop it so there are some pieces of the smoked salmon in the spread. We have also made it with canned salmon. If you are not able to get smoked salmon fresh, canned salmon will absolutely work. In fact, left over salmon that is grilled will also taste amazing in this spread. The key is to use fresh dill and lemon. That is how they made it at Duff’s.

 

Ingredients for smoked salmon spread:

  • Smoked salmon: Provides a rich, smoky taste and flaky texture.
  • Cream cheese (softened): Acts as a base, offering creaminess and mild tanginess.
  • Sour cream: Adds tanginess and enhances the creamy texture.
  • Mayonnaise: Helps bind the ingredients and adds richness.
  • Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor that brightens the spread.
  • Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a hint of garlic.
  • Onion powder: Provides a subtle onion flavor that complements other ingredients.

Toppings for smoked salmon spread:

  • Fresh dill (with big stems removed): Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with smoked salmon.
  • Everything but the bagel spice: Offers a medley of flavors found on an everything bagel (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, garlic flakes, salt).
  • Drained capers: Provides bursts of tangy and briny flavor, contrasting with the richness of the spread.
  • Lemon slices: Used as a garnish and to add a touch of fresh citrus flavor to the presentation or squeeze over the spread before serving.
Smoked salmon spread in a bowl with capers on top and bread on the side

Smoked Salmon Spread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, salmon, seafood, smoked salmon
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 127kcal
Author: Bruce and Dina

Equipment

Ingredients

Ingredients for smoked salmon spread:

  • 8 ounce softened cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 Tbls. lemon juice
  • 6 ounce smoked salmon
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Toppings for smoked salmon spread:

  • 3 Fresh dill sprigs big stems removed
  • 1 teaspoon everything but the bagel spice
  • 1/4 cup drained capers
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

Instructions for the smoked salmon spread:

  • Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature. You may also set microwave at power 3 and microwave cream cheese in a non metal dish for 40 seconds to soften.
    8 ounce softened cream cheese
  • Add mayonnaise, sour cream & lemon juice to softened cream cheese, and mix with whisk till blended, with no lumps.
    1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 Tbls. lemon juice
  • Add in the garlic and onion powder. Stir to blend.
    1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Chop smoked salmon into fine pieces, about the size of peas
    6 ounce smoked salmon
  • Fold the smoke salmon into the cream cheese mixture, until completely blended and put into serving bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate overnight, or at least for 3 hours

What to top the smoked salmon spread with:

  • Remove the main stem from the fresh dill, so that the delicate leaves remain. Sprinkle this over the top of the salmon spread.
    3 Fresh dill sprigs
  • Sprinkle the everything but the bagel spice over the top.
    1 teaspoon everything but the bagel spice
  • Serve spread with capers & lemon wedges.
    Lemon slices, 1/4 cup drained capers

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Give a few of our other appetizers a try!

 

 

Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

Hi, we are Bruce and Dina Miller. We love to cook every night. We enjoy making a few healthy dishes, and also comfort food. We love crafting cocktails too! Come take a look, we would love to share our recipes with you.

Comments

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  3. Julia Reply

    5 stars
    Absolutely love it, making it again for the upcoming New Year’s Eve party!

  4. Anjali Reply

    5 stars
    This is such an elegant and flavorful spread! It’ll be great to serve at our new years party in a couple of days!

  5. MacKenzie Reply

    5 stars
    I made this recently for some family. It turned out perfect and everybody wanted more. I cannot wait to make it again. The salmon flavor is fantastic.

  6. Cathleen Reply

    5 stars
    I LOVE smoked salmon, so I know that I am going to be all over this spread! Thank you so much for sharing, I am definitely going to be making it for New Years 🙂

  7. Ieva Reply

    5 stars
    You didn’t lie – it is the best! Made it last night for a friend’s gathering and it was the first thing to disappear off the table! Superb recipe 🙂

  8. Ned Reply

    5 stars
    This is happening again for us on NYE! Thank you for this awesome, yummy recipe!

  9. Carrie Robinson Reply

    5 stars
    I love just about anything that has smoked salmon in it! 🙂 This spread sounds like the perfect addition to a weekend brunch menu.

  10. Nathanaelle Yoshimura Reply

    5 stars
    Yes please! That’s a gorgeous spread for brunch! I love the combination of capers and dill. Thanks for sharing!

  11. Vicky Reply

    5 stars
    This smoked salmon spread recipe is perfect for entertaining! The creamy texture and the yummy salmon combo will elevate any gathering or brunch spread. Will be whipping up a batch for my next get-together!

  12. Mimi Rippee Reply

    Delicious! I have a favorite salmon spread that utilizes smoked salmon, but also cooked salmon. I pan fry a filet in browned butter, remove the skin, and mix it with the other ingredients. I just adds another salmon flavor and texture to the spread. Happy New Year!

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