
This smoked salmon dip is a simple and delicious snack that takes just five minutes to make. Perfect for spreading on toast, dipping with crackers, or adding to a snack platter, it’s a versatile recipe that’s both nutritious and easy to whip up when you’re short on time.
Health benefits
Most store bought dips contain dangerous vegetable oils so I always avoid them. This healthy dip contains the lovely anti-inflammatory fats and protein in salmon. Pairing it with full-fat natural yoghurt (or greek yogurt) instead of cream cheese adds a boost of probiotics for gut health and a dose of protein, while the fresh herbs and lemon zest add extra vitamins and antioxidants to keep your immune system strong.
Ingredients
With just a handful of fresh, whole ingredients like hot smoked salmon, yoghurt, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, plus chives (or dill or parsley), this salmon dip recipe is not only delicious but also nourishing. Unlike store-bought dips, it’s packed with nutrition and free from preservatives, artificial additives, and unnecessary sugars, so you can enjoy it knowing exactly what’s in it.
What is ‘Hot’ smoked salmon?
Hot smoked salmon is smoked at a higher temperature, cooking the fillets of fish fully, resulting in a firm, flaky texture and a rich, smoky flavour. It’s ready to eat and great in salads or cooked dishes. Cold smoked salmon, on the other hand, is smoked at a lower temperature, which doesn’t cook the fish but cures it instead. This gives it a softer, silky texture and a more delicate, mild smoky flavour. It comes in thin slices where as the hot smoked salmon is sold in fillets. Both are available in major supermarkets and you definitely need a fillet of the hot smoked salmon for this dip.
How to make healthy Smoked Salmon Dip
Making this healthy smoked salmon dip couldn’t be easier. Simply place flaked salmon in a bowl, add the yoghurt, herbs, lemon, and capers, and mix it all together. No fancy equipment or food processor required—just five minutes and a fork! The quickest prep time ever!
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this dip with wholegrain crackers, veggie sticks (carrots, cucumbers, celery) or even spread it on sourdough toast or bagels for a quick, protein-packed breakfast or lunch. It stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days, or you can freeze it for later if you want to make a bigger batch.
Vary this smoked salmon dip to suit your dietary needs
For a dairy-free version, swap out the yoghurt for a creamy cashew nut blend or your favourite plant-based yoghurt. You can also switch up the herbs to suit your taste—fresh dill, chives, or parsley all work beautifully in this recipe.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit many specific dietary requirements.
Ingredients
- 100 g hot smoked salmon or trout (approx. one fillet) flaked
- 3 tbsp natural or Greek yoghurt
- 1 tbsp Chives -or dill or parsley, finely diced (whatever you taste preference)
- ½ lemon/s -zest finely grated + 1 tbsp juice
- 1 tbsp capers
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper -to taste
Method
- Pop the fish into a bowl and gently flake apart with a fork.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and fold through until combined.
Serve
- Serve with your favourite healthy crackers or even on toast for breakfast or lunch.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Can also be frozen.



Hazel says
Hi this looks yummy! How long will it keep for in the fridge? Thanks!
Georgia Harding says
Let the yoghurt/salmon use-by dates guide you Hazel. Enjoy, one of my favourite dips G x
jules says
Hi there what do you mean by ‘hot smoked salmon’? where do you get this?
Kind regards, Jules
Georgia Harding says
Hi Jules. It’s a whole fillet of salmon that’s been smoked over heat. It has a different texture to cold smoked salmon (which is more like a cured fish, thinly sliced). Most supermarkets sell it (it looks like a fillet of cooked salmon) and is along side the regular, cold smoked salmon. Cheers G x
Penny says
I love this dip!! I often have it for breakfast piled on top of sourdough, smashed avo, greens and tomato – delish!!
Georgia Harding says
Oh perfect, that’s one delicious brekkie Penny! Cheers for rating the recipe and the 5?s G x
Julie Baragwanath says
Hi Georgia, was just wondering if I could sub yoghurt for coconut cream instead of cashew cream?
Cheers Julie
Georgia Harding says
I’d go with coconut yoghurt, the cream won’t be thick enough G x
Andrea Cockery says
GORGEOUS I love this. So hard to stop eating. Thank you
Georgia Harding says
It is very moorish, so pleased you enjoyed it Andrea G x