Smoked Salmon Creamy Dip (Print Version)

Smooth blend of smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill, and lemon zest for an elegant starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/4 cup sour cream

→ Fish

03 - 5 oz smoked salmon, finely chopped

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
05 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
06 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

→ Condiments & Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional

→ Garnish

10 - Additional chopped dill or chives
11 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream. Blend thoroughly with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy.
02 - Fold in smoked salmon, fresh dill, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and optional salt until uniformly blended.
03 - Sample the mixture, adjusting seasoning as preferred.
04 - Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra dill or chives and lemon wedges if desired.
05 - Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to develop flavors or serve immediately alongside crackers, bagel chips, or vegetable sticks.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes but tastes like you spent hours planning the menu.
  • The brightness of lemon and dill cuts through the richness in a way that keeps people coming back for more.
  • You can make it the morning of and actually have time to enjoy your guests instead of cooking.
02 -
  • The dip gets better after it sits for thirty minutes, so timing matters if you want the flavors to really shine.
  • Don't let the smoked salmon sit in the lemon juice too long before mixing or it'll start to break down and taste too strong.
03 -
  • Always taste the smoked salmon before you buy it because quality varies, and good salmon makes the difference between fine and unforgettable.
  • Keep the dip in an airtight container and it stays fresh for three days, which means you can make it with confidence even if your gathering is tomorrow.
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