Smoked Salmon Appetizer with Lemon Dill Cream Cheese
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This easy smoked salmon appetizer is as tasty as it is pretty. Individual little cucumber rounds are topped with smoked salmon and lemon dill cream cheese. It’s always a hit at parties, and it takes just 15 minutes to make!
These smoked salmon appetizers are one of my favorite party appetizers. They look elegant and impressive on a serving platter, but they come together surprisingly quickly and require very little effort. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, bridal shower, birthday brunch, or simple dinner party, they’re always one of the first things to disappear.
The combination of flavors is classic for a reason. Crisp cucumber rounds are topped with silky smoked salmon and a creamy lemon-dill cream cheese filling, creating the perfect balance of smoky, fresh, creamy, and crunchy in every bite. Using mini cucumbers keeps them perfectly bite-sized and gives them a polished look without any extra work.
What I love most about these appetizers is that they feel special while being incredibly easy to make. They can be assembled ahead of time, look beautiful on a platter, and are the kind of appetizer guests immediately gravitate toward. If you’re serving a crowd, make extra — they tend to disappear much faster than expected.
Important ingredient notes
- Cream cheese: From my experience, some light cream cheese can be a bit thin. For this recipe, I like to use the cream cheese that is sold in bricks as it keeps the lemony cream cheese nice and thick.
- Greek yogurt: Pick up some thick, plain Greek yogurt for the right consistency. Light yogurt is too thin for this recipe.
- Mini cucumbers: I find that mini cucumber slices work best to make this a bite-sized appetizer. Regular English cucumbers will work, but they turn this into a 2-bite appy.
- Smoked salmon: Look for lox-style smoked salmon slices – they’re often sold in the freezer section of grocery stores.
What to serve with this smoked salmon appetizer
These smoked salmon cucumber bites are the perfect light start to dinner and pair perfectly with a crisp glass of white wine or a refreshing cocktail like our salty dog cocktail.
Bite-sized appetizer recipes that pair well with this smoked salmon appetizer
Smoked Salmon Appetizer with Lemon Dill Cream Cheese
Ingredients
The Lemon Dill Cream Cheese
- ¾ cup cream cheese (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 1 small garlic clove (grated on a Microplane or very finely minced)
- A pinch of sea salt
To Assemble
- 3 mini cucumbers (sliced)
- 5 ounces cold smoked salmon (lox)
- Dill and fresh cracked pepper (to garnish)
Instructions
- Add all of the lemon dill cream cheese ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Use electric beaters to whip together. Transfer the cream cheese to a piping bag fitted with a star attachment, or use a small resealable plastic bag and cut off the tip.¾ cup cream cheese, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, Zest from 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 small garlic clove, A pinch of sea salt
- Lay the cucumber slices out on a serving tray. Roll small strips of the smoked salmon and place them on top of the cucumber slices.3 mini cucumbers, 5 ounces cold smoked salmon
- Pipe the cream cheese on top of the salmon and garnish with a little fresh dill and fresh cracked
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Wonderful app!! Looks gourmet but super easy. Nice contrast to cheese & crackers, dips, etc. very tasty! I’ve served it twice after finding recipe a couple of weeks ago. Rave reviews all around 😊
The perfect party appetizer! So simple and looks way more involved than it actually is to prepare. I did alternating rows of cucumber rounds and whole wheat baguette slices to provide some variation to the platter. Loved the combo of cream cheese and greek yogurt – a winner.
Have made often to rave reviews.
Needed an appetizer for a pot luck that was easy to make on our boat with no bbq or cooking, these were perfect and were absolutely delicious! Will definitely make again – I used a bit more lemon juice and garnish than the recipe called for.
Great for gluten-free friends! Despite what the recipe says, I used light cream cheese and no disasters ensued (I also used regular yogurt, strained slightly through a coffee filter). This seems to be a very forgiving recipe, and quite tasty! I topped some of them with chopped red onion. Would make again!
I made for Mothers Brunch for something light to add on. I wanted quick so I used Boursin herb and garlic cheese and it was great. I marinated the cucs for 30 minutes to get more flavor. Look for Atjar recipe great flavor enhancer to cucumbers. Super easy and everyone loved.
Loved this! Made for an Easter appetizer and it was a hit with everyone, including me who does not usually like smoked fish. Definitely a keeper!
I had a birthday party and they where great
These were a big hit. Yummy!
Amazing, I brought this to a family BBQ and everyone could not stop eating these little appetizer bites along with complements from all.
I made this yesterday for a wine tasting. They were, hands-down, the top appetizer of the evening. Even a friend who steers away from anything creamy loved them. Quick. Easy. Elegant.
May I use a pickling cucumber for this recipe?
Only in a pinch. English cucumbers or mini cucumbers are a much better option.
Can I substitute sour cream for the greek yogart?
That will work well!