Delicious smoked salmon and cream cheese on crackers with a hint of dill and lemon juice. These quick and easy smoked salmon cream cheese crackers are ready in 5 minutes with simple and minimal ingredients! A great appetizer or snack idea perfect for yourself, parties, or small gatherings.
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These smoked salmon cream cheese crackers are so simple and so delicious! They feature crackers, smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh dill, black pepper with fresh lemon juice.
They're wonderful as appetizers or hors d'oeuvres for a small party or as a snack for yourself! It's a great way to enjoy seafood in a easy and delicious way.
You can also use any crackers you like - ideally larger ones to hold all that tasty goodness. You can even substitute with fiber crackers to add some fiber into your diet and make it slightly healthier.
The key is to use good quality smoked salmon that is vibrant in color! I love using sockeye salmon, but use what's available to you.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements:
- Smoked Salmon: use a good quality smoked salmon that is pre-sliced and one that you enjoy. I like using sockeye salmon for its texture and bright orange color. Or substitute with sliced lox.
- Large Crackers: use any large rectangular or circular crackers you like! I like using fibre crackers for more fiber, but this is optional. Or substitute with smaller crackers and equally portion out the toppings.
- Light or Regular Cream Cheese: or substitute with herb-flavored cream cheese.
- Fresh Dill: this is a key ingredient, so make sure the dill is fresh, vibrant and isn't browning. Or substitute with chopped fresh chives or fresh basil. Avoid using dried herbs.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: to squeeze over the smoked salmon to balance out that fishy taste.
- Black Pepper: for best taste use freshly ground black pepper or what's available to you.
Variation
- Bread Version - Replace the crackers with thinly sliced baguette or crostinis.
- Dairy-free - Replace the cream cheese with a vegan or dairy-free cream cheese.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh ingredients as they make a big difference in any recipe.
- Use good quality smoked salmon. This is the most important tip as it's the star ingredient.
- Thaw the package of smoked salmon overnight in the fridge or soak the package in cold water for 20 minutes.
- Use crackers with a crunchy texture to balance out the soft texture of the salmon.
- Soften the cream cheese at room temperature to make spreading it easier.
- Ribbon the smoked salmon on the cracker so it looks aesthetically pleasing, if serving guests.
- Don't overdo it with the black pepper and lemon juice. A little bit goes a long way.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make smoked salmon cream cheese crackers:
- First wash and pat dry fresh dill with paper towels and remove the individual leaves from the main stem. Set aside.
- Then spread out the crackers on a large serving plate. Evenly spread about 2 tablespoon or 30 ml cream cheese per cracker with a butter knife, add more if needed.
- Next layer two slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese per cracker.
- Then sprinkle fresh dill leaves on top of smoked salmon.
- Lightly sprinkle black pepper and squeeze ½ teaspoon or 2.5 ml fresh lemon juice on top of the salmon per cracker. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Storage
- Smoked salmon cream cheese crackers are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored into airtight containers in the fridge for up to 1 day but the crackers will become soggy over time.
- I don't recommend freezing these smoked salmon cream cheese crackers as the freezer will change the texture of it.
Pairing Suggestions
Smoked salmon cream cheese crackers pair well with:
- bread, toast, bruschetta or crostini's
- raw vegetables like celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, or cucumbers.
- croissants like Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Croissant
- egg salad sandwiches, tuna salad sandwiches, cucumber cream cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches or turkey sandwiches.
- other crackers, chips or pretzels.
- pigs in rugs or mini sausage rolls.
- spanakopita
- charcuterie
- deviled eggs
- cream cheese tortilla rolls
- shrimp cocktail
- pickles
FAQ
Smoked salmon cream cheese crackers can be made up to 30-60 minutes in advance for best taste. I don't recommend going beyond that.
Smaller crackers can be used instead of large crackers and divide up the topping ingredients equally.
If you can't find smoked salmon nearby, lox can work well as a substitute.
📖 Recipe
Easy 5-min. Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- ½ lb smoked salmon pre-sliced kind, thawed
- 10 large crackers
- 1 ¼ cup cream cheese room temperature (light/regular/herb cream cheese work)
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- 5 teaspoon lemon juice
- black pepper as needed
Instructions
- First wash and pat dry fresh dill with paper towels and remove the individual leaves from the main stem. Set aside.
- Then spread out the crackers on a large serving plate. Evenly spread about 2 tablespoon or 30 ml cream cheese per cracker with a butter knife, add more if needed.
- Next layer two slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese per cracker.
- Then sprinkle fresh dill leaves on top of smoked salmon.
- Lightly sprinkle black pepper and squeeze ½ teaspoon or 2.5 ml fresh lemon juice on top of the salmon per cracker. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
To thaw smoked salmon
- Either defrost it the night before in the fridge
- or soak the package of smoked salmon in cold water for 20 minutes
John J Fazen
Yes. Thanks.
Christie Lai
My pleasure!
Nick
So easy and really delicious. I liked that this recipe called for fibre crackers.