This Smoked Salmon Pâté is the perfect make-ahead appetizer, and super easy to make in 25 minutes with 10 minutes of work and 15 minutes of resting. With amazing flavor from smoked salmon and lots of lemon, it's best served next to crispy butter-fried bread.
My Favorite Appetizer
Quick & easy - you know that's always a winner in my book. And just one of the reasons I love using ingredients like smoked salmon - half the job is already done for you!
Another reason? It's so packed with flavor - smoky & salty & the perfect consistency for melting into sauces - and dips, like this deliciously creamy smoked salmon pâté. Here the saltiness is nicely balanced by acidity from both lemon & crème fraîche and if you use hot smoked salmon you'll find it really melts together with the rest of the ingredients.
But it's great made with cold smoked salmon as well!
This is one easy appetizer, and all prepped in just 10 minutes - then it just needs to rest for 15 minutes or so, and you are done.
"What a perfect appetizer... made this for a small party this weekend and it was the first thing to finish. Everyone loved it, and can't wait to make it again!" - Candice
You Only Need 5 Ingredients
What Salmon to Use
You can use hot smoked or cold smoked salmon. They are quite different, but both are very delicious. If you're using cold smoked salmon I recommend making it in a food processor to get everything really well combined. If you don't have one, just cut the salmon into really small pieces instead.
What You Can Use Instead of Crème Fraîche
Crème fraîche can be swapped for a 50/50 mix of cream cheese and sour cream or use just cream cheese and add more lemon juice.
How to Add Even More Flavor
If you ant to add even more flavor, here are some suggestions.
- Fresh dill, parsley, or chives. Either inside, on top, or both.
- Capers. Either fresh mixed in, or top it with crispy fried capers like for my salmon tartare.
- Horseradish. This gives a really nice and flavorful kick!
It’s So Easy to Make!
Just combine all the ingredients (by hand or in a food processor), cover, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. And that's it!
Tips for the Tastiest Result
- Hold the salt until just before serving. Smoked salmon is very salty, and you might not even need any extra salt. I usually don't add any. It will also become increasingly salty as it sits.
- Adjust the seasoning and make it your own. Taste test as you go and add more or less lemon juice and/or zest, more or less onion, and maybe a few extras like horseradish, herbs or capers.
- Let it sit longer if you can. The flavor will just get better after a day or so in the fridge, so this is the ultimate preppable appetizer.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
Make Ahead: You can make this up to a day in advance.
Serve as a Spread or Dip
This dish is great for dinner parties and buffets, it's so easy and perfect to prep ahead. You can either make canapés ahead of time, and serve to your guests as they mingle, or serve it as a sit-down appetizer. Or just serve it in a bowl with some nice bread and crackers next to it!
Either way, it pairs perfectly with butter-fried bread. If you don't want to go through the trouble of frying the bread, then serve it with plain baguette, crostini, crackers or even vegetable sticks - cucumber, bell peppers and carrots go great with it.
It is best served at room temperature, so go ahead and bring it out from the fridge 30 minutes or so before serving. But don't worry if you forgot - it's fine eaten cold as well!
More Quick & Easy Appetizers
Looking for more quick & easy appetizers?
- How to Bake Brie25 Minutes
- Buffalo Shrimp10 Minutes
- Air Fryer Dumplings10 Minutes
- Bacon Wrapped Dates (Devils on Horseback)25 Minutes
- Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp6 Minutes
- Stuffed Dates with Feta Cheese20 Minutes
- Salmon Tartare with Rum & Fried Capers1 Hours
- Shrimp Scampi Without Wine10 Minutes
Recipe
Smoked Salmon Pâté
Print RateIngredients
- 1 cup hot smoked salmon chopped; see notes for using cold smoked salmon
- ½ red onion finely chopped; you can also use shallots
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ cup créme fraîche see notes for alternatives
- salt according to taste, you might not need it
- lemon slices optional, for decoration
Instructions
- Place chopped salmon and red onion, lemon zest, lemon juice and fresh ground black pepper in a bowl and mix well.1 cup hot smoked salmon, ½ red onion, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Add crème fraîche and mix until everything is well combined. Taste test and adjust seasoning if you like, but do not add any salt at this point.½ cup créme fraîche
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Just before serving, bring out the salmon pâté from the fridge and taste test. Add salt and more of any of the other seasonings if needed, then serve as a side for bread or crackers.salt, lemon slices
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Kelly Anthony
This salmon pate is sure to be a crowd-pleaser this holiday season. I love how quick and easy this recipe is, perfect for serving at any party.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Kelly! I know it's gonna go fast at my Christmas dinner 😉
Emily
This salmon pate is so good! I love that it uses creme fraiche!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Emily! I am soo obsessed with crème fraîche!
Emese
5-minutes appetizer. Yes, please. The perfect recipe for the upcoming holidays.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Yep, gotta love those 😉
Erika
This spread sounds so fancy! I love that is doesn't look too difficult to make either.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Erika!
Leanne
Dips and spreads are a must for the holiday season! I've never tried a salmon pate, but I'm loving the ingredients in this one, and I know it would be a hit at our family Christmas gathering!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Leanne! Hope you try it!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
Smoked salmon is always a favorite of mine. This spread looks delicious for a get together or fantastic for breakfast with a few eggs!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Ohhh I never even considered having it with eggs for breakfast! What a great idea! Thank you!
Candice
What a perfect appetizer... made this for a small party this weekend and it was the first thing to finish. Everyone loved it, and can't wait to make it again!
Emmeline Kemperyd
So happy to hear that Candice - that's my experience with this appetizer as well! Thank you for commenting!