Whip Up Ina Garten’s Dreamy Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe Today

Weekends call for elegant appetizers that shine with minimal effort, and this Ina Garten smoked salmon spread delivers pure culinary magic.

Creamy, luxurious textures blend seamlessly with rich, smoky flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft cream cheese provides the perfect canvas for delicate salmon flakes and bright herbs.

Each bite promises a sophisticated blend of ingredients that feels both indulgent and approachable.

The spread comes together in mere minutes, making it an ideal choice for impromptu gatherings or quiet weekend treats.

Serve with crisp crackers or fresh vegetables for a delightful starter that will impress everyone at the table.

Your next gathering deserves this irresistible salmon spread that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s in Ina Garten’s Smoked Salmon Spread

• Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, tangy foundation that helps bind all ingredients together, choose full-fat version for richer texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds creamy depth and slight tang, select high-quality brand for best flavor profile.

• Fresh Dill: Brings bright, herbaceous notes, look for vibrant green color and fresh aroma.
• Horseradish: Delivers subtle heat and sharp kick, opt for prepared version for consistent spiciness.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces zesty brightness and balances rich ingredients, use freshly squeezed for maximum flavor.

• Smoked Salmon: Offers luxurious smoky flavor and delicate texture, select Norwegian variety for less saltiness and superior quality.

• Salt: Elevates overall taste, use kosher or sea salt for cleaner flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and complexity, freshly ground provides most robust taste.

Helpful Tools for Salmon Spread Assembly

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Perfect for whipping cream cheese to a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine all ingredients easily.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sour cream, horseradish, and seasonings smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and fold in smoked salmon gently.
• Cutting Board: Useful for chopping dill if using fresh herbs.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure precise ingredient quantities for balanced flavor.

How to Make Smoked Salmon Spread Ina’s Way

• Creamy Base Preparation

Grab your electric mixer and whip the cream cheese until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency that looks light and fluffy.

• Flavor Fusion

Gently fold in fresh chopped dill, zesty horseradish, tangy sour cream, bright lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to create a harmonious blend of tastes.

• Salmon Integration

Carefully incorporate delicate pieces of smoked salmon, mixing with a gentle touch to preserve the fish’s delicate texture and prevent breaking it into tiny fragments.

• Chilling and Serving

Let the spread rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and intensify. Serve alongside crisp crackers or fresh vegetable sticks for a delightful appetizer that will impress your guests.

• Salmon Selection Tip

When choosing smoked salmon, opt for high-quality Norwegian varieties known for their subtle, refined flavor and less aggressive saltiness.

Fun Add-Ins for Ina Garten’s Salmon Spread

• Experiment with different types of smoked salmon like wild-caught Alaskan or cold-smoked varieties to create unique flavor profiles.
• Swap fresh dill for other herbs like chives, tarragon, or parsley to give the spread a personalized twist and brighten its overall taste.
• Prepare the spread 1-2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Fold in finely chopped capers or diced red onions for added crunch and a tangy bite that complements the creamy salmon spread.
• Serve alongside cucumber rounds, toasted baguette slices, or as a filling for tea sandwiches to elevate your appetizer game.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon Spread with Style

• Craft an Elegant Appetizer Platter: Arrange the smoked salmon spread in a beautiful ceramic dish surrounded by crisp water crackers, thin cucumber slices, and fresh dill sprigs for a sophisticated presentation.
• Create a Brunch Centerpiece: Serve the spread alongside toasted bagel rounds, sliced red onions, capers, and additional lemon wedges for a delightful weekend morning spread that feels like a gourmet deli experience.
• Build Colorful Crudités Display: Pair the creamy salmon spread with an array of fresh vegetable sticks like rainbow carrots, Belgian endive leaves, radish slices, and blanched asparagus spears for a vibrant and healthy accompaniment.
• Design Cocktail Party Bites: Transform the spread into bite-sized canapés by topping mini toast points or cucumber rounds with a dollop of the salmon mixture, garnished with a small sprig of fresh dill for an elegant party appetizer.

Store and Reuse Ina Garten’s Salmon Spread

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store this creamy spread tightly covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, keeping its fresh flavor and smooth texture intact.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make the salmon spread 1-2 days before your gathering, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating an even more delicious appetizer.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible to freeze, the spread's texture might slightly separate upon thawing, so fresh preparation is recommended for best results.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Remove the spread from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly, ensuring a creamy, spreadable consistency that glides effortlessly on crackers.

Elegant Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s smoked salmon spread delivers creamy, rich flavors perfect for elegant appetizers. Guests will savor this simple yet sophisticated blend of cream cheese, salmon, and fresh herbs that elevates any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ lb (113 g) smoked salmon, minced
• ½ cup (120 mL) sour cream
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh dill
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp (5 mL) prepared horseradish, drained

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Utilize an electric mixer with paddle attachment to whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, eliminating all lumps and creating a uniform texture.
2. Flavor Infusion: Blend dill, horseradish, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring a harmonious and zesty flavor profile that complements the salmon.
3. Salmon Integration: Delicately fold Norwegian smoked salmon into the creamy base, gently breaking the fish into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout the spread.
4. Chilling and Melding: Refrigerate the completed spread for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and intensify the overall taste experience.
5. Serving Suggestion: Present the chilled salmon spread alongside crisp crackers, artisan bread slices, or fresh vegetable crudités, transforming it into an elegant and sophisticated appetizer that tantalizes the palate.

Notes

• Maximize Texture: Use paddle attachment to whip cream cheese until ultra-smooth, eliminating all lumps for a silky, luxurious spread.
• Select Premium Salmon: Choose Norwegian smoked salmon for its superior, less salty flavor and delicate texture that elevates the entire dish.
• Marinate Flavor Profile: Refrigerate spread for minimum 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop deeper, more complex taste notes.
• Serving Strategy: Pair with crisp crackers, fresh vegetable sticks, or artisan bread to complement the rich, creamy salmon spread’s sophisticated flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg