Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe

Use this smoked salmon spread for easy appetizers

Smoked salmon spread as a filling for celery and a topping for crackers

This easy Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe takes only about 1 minute to make in a food processor and is perfect for no-fuss hors d'oeuvres and healthy after-school snacks.

Because we live in Boston, we usually use smoked salmon from Maine, Nova Scotia, or parts of Eastern Canada for this recipe. You can use whatever smoked salmon is best in your local area.

Fresh dill, horseradish, and an optional hint of goat cheese give this Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe its addictive flavor. We like to serve this versatile salmon spread on crackers, piped onto endive leaves or bite-sized pieces of celery, or on thinly sliced French bread.

You can also use this smoke salmon spread recipe as the foundation for a tasty sandwich (just add mixed greens and perhaps a few capers) or use a knife to stuff it into celery stalks for a quick and healthy after-school snack. And it can't be beat as a topping for bagels.

Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe

Makes about 2 cups

Smoked salmon spread ingredients

8 oz package regular or low fat (not non-fat) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh dill (dried dill doesn't work well in this recipe)
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish (drained), or 1 tablespoon creamy horseradish sauce
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or 1/4 teaspoon regular table salt)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons soft goat cheese
1/4 pound (4 ounces) smoked salmon, cut into small pieces

For serving

6 stalks celery, cut into 2" lengths (use the tops and widest part of the stalks for another purpose, such as soup)
Or - 3 or 4 endives, with leaves separated
Or - thinly sliced rounds of hothouse or Armenian-type cucumbers
Or - crackers or thin slices of French bread
Or - any combination of the above choices
Optional: additional sprigs of fresh dill and capers for garnish

Put all of the smoked salmon spread ingredients except for the smoked salmon into a food processor bowl.

Pulse about 12 - 15 times, until mixture is fairly smooth and blended. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the smoked salmon, and pulse 3 - 5 more times. You should still be able to see bits of salmon, which gives a nice texture to the spread.

Refrigerate until you're ready to assemble your appetizers.

Serving suggestions

Using a pastry tube to distribute the smoked salmon spread

Fill a pastry tube with the smoked salmon spread, and pipe onto endive leaves, celery, cucumbers, or crackers.

Or spread with a knife.

If you want to add an elegant touch, decorate your creations with a few sprigs of dill and/or capers. (Actually, we never do this because this spread is so delicious on its own - but for an extra-fancy reception or dinner, you could add a bit of garnish.)

For the easiest hors d'oeuvres of all, just put the smoked salmon in a bowl and serve as a dip for raw veggies, chips, or crackers.

Best of all, you can make this easy smoked salmon spread recipe several days in advance and keep in the refrigerater until you're ready to use it - the perfect no-fuss appetizer!