Salmon is the king of versatile fish! Whether you need to prepare a cozy lunch, an indulgent dinner for guests, breakfast for the family, or just a simple appetizer, salmon has you covered. There are endless salmon recipes for every occasion! Now, if you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a satisfying appetizer, a salmon dip is a delicious option. This tasty and light salmon spread is easy to make and comes in handy for those busy weekdays.
If you’ve ever tried a salmon dip before, it most likely was a baked salmon spread. But what about preparing a dip with fresh, raw salmon? This gives it a more subtle ocean-like flavor and makes the dish all that fresher to taste. Perfect for a summer night! Don’t let the stigma regarding raw fish stop you. If you buy fresh fish that’s optimal for raw preparations and you take all the necessary precautions, the dip will turn out absolutely delicious and safe! Want to know how to tell when a salmon it’s not safe to eat or has gone bad? Then check out THIS article for all our favorite tips and tricks.
Let’s get back to a fresh salmon dip. This is such a convenient and tasty appetizer that we recommend it to everyone! And today’s post is all about how to prepare a salmon spread with fresh fish at home. Keep reading for the salmon dip recipe and extra tips!
How To Make Salmon Dip With Fresh Salmon
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Fresh Salmon
- 8 ounces (or one package) Cream Cheese
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- 2 chopped Green Onions
- ¼ cup finely chopped Celery
- 3 finely chopped cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Minced Horshradish
- ⅛ cup chopped Fresh Dill
- 1 tbsp Hot or Worcestershire sauce (or a combination of both)
Yield: 3 cups or 12 small servings
Fresh salmon
Fresh salmon always had a distinct pink hue and shiny eyes, topped off with a subtle oceanic scent. Those are clear indicators that the fish is safe to eat and hasn’t gone bad. When using the salmon for raw preparations, make sure to ask your provider if the fish is raw-appropriate. Our ocean-raised, ocean-loved salmon is always safe to eat however you enjoy it best!
Cream cheese
Cream cheese is a classic. This ingredient gives the salmon spread a fresh, savory flavor while not overpowering the fish. You could also prepare a cream cheese mayonnaise instead if you want to give it your own personal touch.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is another popular dairy product that helps to give the dip a firmer, creamier consistency while adding its delicious flavor. It’s also a probiotic so it’s extra healthy! If you’re not a fan of greek yogurt, feel free to swap it for sour cream or more cream cheese.
Green onions
Also called scallions, green onions are a delicious addition to any meal. They’re crunchy and have a mild, subtle flavor. Their bright green color is perfect to decorate the final dish as well!
Celery
Celery might just be one of the most underrated vegetables out there. It’s extra crunchy, low in calories, refreshing, and delicious! It has an earthy, bold flavor that will spice up the fresh salmon dip!
Garlic
Are you even preparing a savory salmon dish if you skip garlic? The answers might be controversial. Seriously, garlic just complements almost every meal! It’s a bit sweet, a bit spicy, and a bit earthy. A must-include for this salmon spread.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice has always gone amazingly well with salmon. Its citric flavor complements the subtle taste of the fish while making the meal a lot fresher! A few drops work magic, trust me.
Minced horseradish
This root veggie is not to be played with! Horseradish has a very strong flavor. It tastes hot, spicy, and peppery while not burning the tongue as chili peppers can do. It adds a nice kick to the salmon dip!
Fresh dill
Fresh herbs are always a good idea when preparing a salmon dish. Dill adds citrus and refreshing flavor to this salmon spread while bringing a bit more color to the table!
Hot or Worcestershire sauce
Here’s when your tastebuds will have to make the choice! Depending on your unique taste, you’ll prefer to add hot or Worcestershire sauce to this dish. Hot sauce will add a spicy, burning flavor with its characteristic fiery taste. On the flip side, Worcestershire sauce is not as spicy. It has a more Asian flavor thanks to its Malaysian origins and it has a similar taste to soy sauce. The choice is yours! Also, feel free to add a tiny bit of liquid smoke to give the dip an extra special edge!
Instructions:
Prepare the salmon
If you bought sliced salmon, you’ll only need to wash the fillets, dry them with paper towels, and slice them into smaller cubes. But if you acquired a whole salmon, you’ll need to fillet the fish yourself. Don’t know how? No worries, this article will guide you throughout every step of the process. Once the salmon is washed, dried, and sliced, check if there are any parasites or spoiled parts of the fish. When you deem the salmon safe, put it aside until it’s time to mix!
Wash and chop the veggies
First, wash all the vegetables. Then, put the green onions, garlic, celery, and horseradish on a chopping board. Carefully slice them into pieces and set them aside.
Cream together all ingredients
Time to mix! Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. The final result should be a creamy salmon dip! You can always stop the mixing and add a little more dill and salmon for presentation purposes.
To serve cold
Place in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then serve cold!
To serve hot
If you prefer to eat your salmon dip warm, it needs to go into the oven for a bit. Spread it out on a baking dish and bake for 5 to 10 minutes. Done!
The best accompaniments for a salmon dip
You can always eat fresh salmon dip on its own, but we love to mix things up! Pair this delicious spread with some rice crackers, wholewheat bread, cheese sticks, or celery sticks. You can also use it as a salad dressing if you’re feeling adventurous!
Store any leftovers
We know there’s probably no salmon spread left if you had a family gathering or a hungry family on a rainy afternoon… But here’s how to stop it in case there are any leftovers! Place the dip in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It’s best if you eat it within a couple of days, too. The last thing you’d want is for the spread to go bad!
What is your favorite way to eat salmon dip made with fresh salmon?
Congrats, now you know how to make a salmon dip with fresh salmon! Easy, peasy, right? With just 9 ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cooking time, this fresh salmon spread will surely become your new go-to salmon recipe. Still, if you need more seafood inspiration, check out our Oshen Salmon blog for more tasty recipes and handling tips! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to stay tuned for any new posts!
