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 have got to be the cutest little appetizers ever. They’re perfect for special occasions like Mother’s Day, birthdays, and bridal showers. But they’re also so easy enough for simple dinner parties.
We’re being completely honest when we say this is the only smoked salmon appetizer recipe you’ll ever need. There, we said it.
They’re easy, elegant, and everything we’re looking for in a party appetizer. But don’t let their appearance fool you; They’re deceivingly easy and quick to make!
We use mini cucumbers so they’re truly bite-sized. Then we top them with tiny slices of rolled smoked salmon and pipe on lemon-dill cream cheese. It’s that delicious classic combination of smoky salmon, crunchy cucumbers, and lemony cream cheese all prettied up.
Trust us when we say that this party-perfect appetizer will disappear quickly. Make a big salmon appetizer platter so you don’t miss out!
Why you’ll love this smoked salmon appetizer
- It’s super easy to make (they’ll make you look like a kitchen rockstar).
- The flavor and texture combinations are out of this world delicious!
- It’s elegant enough for special occasions.
- Everyone loves them!
Salmon cucumber appetizer ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the flavorful lemon dill cream cheese:
- Cream cheese – make sure to use regular cream cheese, not light. That full-fat flavor and creamy texture is what we’re after.
- Greek yogurt – thick, plain Greek yogurt is what we use.
- Lemon zest + lemon juice – lemon zest and juice offer the perfect pop of bright citrus flavor that marries so well with the other ingredients.
- Fresh dill – for lots of fresh, citrus-like flavor.
- Garlic – one clove is the perfect amount of flavor a kick.
- Sea salt – enhances all the other flavors.
This is what you’ll need to assemble the appetizer:
- Mini cucumbers – mini cucumber slices are the perfect pallet for this bite-sized appetizer.
- Smoked salmon – a lox-style smoked salmon sliced into tiny slivers and rolled.
- Dill and fresh cracked black pepper – for garnish.
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
Recipe FAQs
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Yes! Make the lemon dill cream cheese up to two days in advance and keep it in your fridge until you are ready to assemble.
Can I serve it on crackers or crostini instead of cucumber?
For sure! We love the fresh juicy taste of cucumber, but you could easily swap it for small slices of fresh bread, little toasts, or crackers. You can also slice the cucumber really thinly and layer the whole thing on bread or crackers.
Smoked Salmon Appetizer with Lemon Dill Cream Cheese
Ingredients
The Lemon Dill Cream Cheese
- ¾ cup cream cheese (do not use light 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!
This is amazing and delicious recipe . I really like it. SO easy and quick way to cook, thank you for sharing this wonderful article.