How to Serve Smoked Salmon with Crackers

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A popular and delicious appetizer and snack here in Alaska is salmon dip. It’s easy to whip up and serve to guests, have for a snack, or as a last minute meal. Here’s how to serve smoked salmon with crackers, along with my favorite salmon appetizer recipe.

Every summer my husband goes fishing in the Copper River with his buddies for sockeye salmon. After he brings it home, our family smokes and pressure cans some of it. Then we have a supply of smoked salmon to use throughout the year. You can read all about our process in this post.

Any time I want to make quick recipes like salmon pot pie, salmon chowder, or salmon cakes, I can just grab a can off the pantry shelf. It’s so nice having delicious, healthy salmon right at our fingertips.

Another one of our favorite ways to use smoked salmon is to make a tasty dip and serve it with crackers. And when we have out of town guests who want to experience the taste of Alaska, we always serve this simple appetizer.

Whether you are serving guests, an afternoon snack for your family, or a light lunch for yourself, here are some ideas for how to serve smoked salmon and crackers.

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

If you have a can or jar of smoked salmon and some cream cheese, you can quickly whip up some salmon spread. Here’s a simple recipe:

Drain the salmon and remove the skins, if you prefer. I like to leave some of the oil in the jar but I do pour a little out. It’s a delicious treat for our animals. I also like to leave the skins on as they make a healthy addition to the dish but some prefer no skin.

Add about 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup of room temperature cream cheese to the salmon and mix well. Use as little or as much cream cheese as you like depending on the consistency you like!

Sprinkle in a few dashes of salt and black pepper, if desired, and continue to mix well.

Here are some delicious ingredients that you can add to your smoked salmon dip for a little extra flavor:

• Fresh dill
• Red onion
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Fresh herbs
• Green onion

Enjoy immediately or store in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days.

Which Crackers to Use With Smoked Salmon

Anything goes here! You can use your favorite type of crackers from the grocery store or make your own.

Homemade sourdough crackers are our favorite and add an extra touch of Alaskan flavor.

How to Serve Smoked Salmon and Crackers

Here are just a few of our favorite ways to serve smoked salmon with crackers:

Salmon Appetizer Platter

If we are fortunate to have guests over for the evening, I like to put together an appetizer plate for everyone to enjoy. I arrange our favorite crackers on a pretty piece of pottery and set a small bowl of smoked salmon dip next to it.

A small butter knife allows guests to easily spread the salmon onto the their crackers as it can be a bit thick to easily dip and scoop.

Lemon wedges on the side add a nice touch and within minutes you have the perfect appetizer.

Salmon Crackers

If I have a bit more time and want to make it even easier for our guests to enjoy smoked salmon as a finger food, I make these.

I simply lay out our favorite crackers on a platter and place a small scoop of the delicious dip right on the crackers. No need for them to spread or dip which makes it a great option for a crowd.

Cracker Sandwiches

These are great for kids! Simply spread a bit of salmon dip onto a cracker and top with another cracker to make little cracker sandwiches.

I like to put a plate of these out for lunch or an afternoon snack for me and the kids and they devour them.

Snack Bowl

When it’s just our family at home, nothing fancy is required! I can just set out a plate of crackers and a bowl of salmon dip and our family digs right in.

Or we each pile some crackers in a bowl, dollop on a spoonful of dip, and we have a tasty snack to take anywhere.

When to Serve Smoked Salmon with Crackers

Enjoy a delicious smoked salmon platter anytime, including:

• Christmas dinner
• Cocktail party
• Brunch buffet
• Pot lucks
• Movie night
• Picnic

The options are just about endless when it comes to serving smoked salmon with crackers. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this tasty and healthy dish so it’s no wonder it’s an Alaskan favorite!