Festive Smoked Salmon Holiday Dip 🎄🥣

This delightful smoked salmon holiday dip is a showstopper at any gathering! Creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, it's the perfect appetizer for holiday parties or cozy get-togethers. Serve it with crackers, fresh vegetables, or toasted baguette slices for a deliciously satisfying treat!

Ingredients

For the dip base

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the smoked salmon mix

• 4 oz smoked salmon, chopped
• 1 tbsp capers, rinsed and roughly chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
• Zest of 1 lemon

For garnish

• Extra capers
• Additional chopped dill
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the dip base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.

   🥄 If you have a hand mixer or a food processor, using it can help achieve a velvety texture.

2. Add the salmon mix: Gently fold in the chopped smoked salmon, capers, green onions, dill, and lemon zest until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

   🧊 For an extra kick of flavor, you can add a few dashes of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce at this stage!

3. Chill: Cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. This dip can also be made a day in advance—just keep it covered in the fridge!

4. Serve: Once chilled, transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra capers, chopped dill, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

   🍽️ Pair with an assorted platter of crackers, veggies, or toasted baguette slices for an inviting spread!

Variations

• Herbed Cream Cheese: Substitute the cream cheese with herbed cream cheese to add an extra layer of flavor. 🌿
• Spicy Twist: Add diced jalapeños or sriracha to give the dip a spicy kick! 🔥
• Vegetarian version: Replace smoked salmon with marinated artichokes or sun-dried tomatoes for a vegetarian-friendly option.
• Low-fat option: Use low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter dip without sacrificing creaminess!

Enjoy this rich and festive dip as a centerpiece for your holiday spread! 🥳✨