Creamy Favorite Smoked Salmon Dip with Dill, Capers & Lemon Zest

Where healthy meets delicious!

This smoked salmon dip is rich, creamy, and full of briny, zesty flavor! Made with extra smoked salmon, plenty of fresh dill, tangy yogurt, cream cheese, green onion, lemon zest, and capers, it strikes the perfect balance of flavors.

smoked salmon dip in serving bowl surrounded by crudité, garnished with dill, lemon zest, capers, red onion, with wood spoon.

What we speak becomes the house we live in. – Hafiz

Over the weekend, we hosted a small holiday gathering, and this Smoked Salmon Dip was one of the appetizers I served. It came together easily and delivered punchy, delicious flavor - and best of all, I made it ahead of time, which meant one less thing to worry about on the day of the party.

With so many holiday gatherings this season, I thought I'd share an appetizer that truly wows guests without taking up too much precious kitchen time.

Why You’ll Love This SmokeD Salmon Dip!

Quick and easy! This flavor-packed dip comes together in just 15 minutes.
Make it ahead for parties! Make up to two days in advance, giving you one less thing to prep on the day-of!
Bold flavor and delicious texture. We use extra smoked salmon, lemon zest, lots of fresh dill, and briny capers with a hint of Dijon – giving it a definite wow factor!

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients in smoked salmon dip recipe.

Smoked salmon (lox): You’ll dice the salmon to mix it into the dip. It adds a rich and deep smoky flavor that pairs well with the more tangy and aromatic ingredients.
Cream cheese and plain yogurt: Form the base of the dip, giving it a creamy texture with a subtle tangy flavor. You can substitute sour cream for the yogurt. We intentionally leave out the mayo here.
Red onion and green onions: Dice the red onion very finely and reserve extra for garnish. Both the red onion and green onions add a punchy, aromatic taste.
Fresh Lemon zest: For bright citrusy flavor. Reserve extra lemon zest for garnish.
Fresh dill: Adds fresh, bright, herby flavor. Save extra for garnish. You could swap- flat-leaf parsley for the dill.
Dijon mustard: For a tangy, sharp taste. Or sub horseradish.
Capers: For extra briny flavor! Save some for garnish.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Dip

sharp knife dicing smoked salmon on wood board.

1. Soften the cream cheese. Bring the cream cheese to room temperature or microwave it just until soft enough to mix, about 30-45 seconds.

2. Mix the dip ingredients. Add the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, finely diced onions, lemon zest, dill, green onions, diced salmon, Dijon mustard, capers, and black pepper to a medium bowl. Stir the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly combined.

mixing bowl with diced smoked salmon, greek yogurt, cream cheese, lemon zest, red onion, capers, dill, black pepper with spatula.

ceramic mixing bowl with smoked salmon dip with spatula.

3. Taste and adjust. Test the dip, then add lemon juice and salt to taste. Test it with what you’re serving it with, like a cracker, a cucumber slice, or bruschetta.

smoked salmon dip with lemon zest and dill

4. Serve. Scoop the smoked salmon dip into a wide, shallow bowl. Sprinkle with capers, lemon zest, dill, and black pepper.

Chef’s Tips

Use wild lox (vs farmed lox) for the best flavor and nutrients.
Dice the onion very finely. For the best texture in every bite, dice the red onion very finely. This way, the onion enhances the dip’s flavor without overpowering it. And it ensures the dip remains creamy with a subtle crunch.
Taste test the dip with what you plan to serve it with. To get the best sense of the taste, test the dip with a cucumber slice, a cracker, or bruschetta, depending on what you’re serving it with. This is better than simply using a fork!

Serving Suggestions

Arrange the smoked salmon dip on a serving plate, surrounded by veggie crudité, crackers, crostinis, bruschetta, or toasted baguette slices.

bowl of smoked salmon dip garnished with capers, lemon zest, dill, red onion, with cucumber slice for dipping.

See our 50+ easy appetizer recipes for more ideas on what to serve at your next holiday party!

Make-Ahead & Storage

Make-ahead: Wrap the assembled dip tightly, without any garnishes. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring it to room temperature, garnish with fresh dill, lemon zest, and capers, and serve.
Storage: Leftover smoked salmon dip will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Repurpose as a spread for toasted bagels or lavish wraps.