Creamy Salmon Spread

Written by
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Linda Larsen
Updated 03/10/21
Creamy Salmon Spread

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
232 Calories
21g Fat
2g Carbs
9g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 232
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 8g 41%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 186mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 9g
Calcium 37mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

We love all kinds of dips and spreads, creating many recipes that are twists on old-fashioned favorites that we updated and changed to suit our tastes. This recipe, on the other hand, is a classic.

You can use fresh fish; however, we relied on salmon filets from the store, cooked gently in butter. The combination of cream cheese, salmon, mustard, and horseradish is delicious. This is also a great way to use smoked salmon, whether it's cold- or hot-smoked. Just use about 1/2 pound of salmon in the recipe.

We love appetizer recipes like this that can be made ahead of time. This recipe can be easily doubled too. It will keep in the fridge for two to three days.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 pound salmon fillet
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper 
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • For Serving: crackers, fresh vegetables, toasted French bread

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Creamy Salmon Spread ingredients

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the salmon fillet and reduce the heat to low.

    butter and salmon fillet in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Cook, turning once, until the salmon is just cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side. The salmon's internal temperature should be at least 145 F. 

    salmon fillet and butter cooking in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Remove the salmon from the saucepan and cool. Flake the salmon into small pieces.

    flake the salmon into small pieces

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese using a hand mixer until soft and fluffy.

    beat cream cheese with a hand mixer

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Gradually add the mayonnaise and lemon juice and beat well. 

    mayonnaise and lemon juice added to the cream cheese

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. Stir in the mustard, horseradish, salt, pepper, and thyme.

    mustard, salt, pepper, and thyme added to the cream cheese mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  8. Fold in the flaked salmon.

    flaked salmon added to the cream cheese mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  9. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors.

    salmon spread in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  10. Serve with crackers, fresh vegetables, or toasted French bread.

    Creamy Salmon Spread in a bowl

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck