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This Smoked Salmon Pâté recipe is the perfect make-ahead appetizer, easy to make in just 25 minutes with 10 minutes of work. With amazing flavor from smoked salmon and lots of lemon, it's best served with a side of butter fried bread.
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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.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick and all done in 25 minutes - with just 10 minutes of hands-on time!
- It's easy to make - just mix it all together!
- No fancy equipment needed - a bowl, a spoon and something to zest with is all
- Salty salmon balanced by acidity from both lemon & crème fraîche
- Lemon zest maximizes lemon taste without too much acidity
- Hot smoked salmon almost melts into the spread for a cohesive sauce
- Can be made ahead so it's perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving or any other dinner party
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red onion can be swapped for shallots or leeks
- Cold smoked salmon can be used instead of hot smoked, but then I recommend making it in a food processor to get everything really well combined. If you don't have one, cut the salmon into really small pieces.
- 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
- Lemon juice needs to be fresh - bottled will not do
- Salt and pepper can be added according to taste
- Fresh dill, capers, parsley and horseradish are all great additions if you want to add even more flavor
How to make it
- Place salmon, onion, lemon zest and black pepper in a bowl
- Mix well, then add lemon juice and mix again
- Mix in crème fraîche
- Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes
Tips & tricks
- Hold the salt until just before serving - smoked salmon is very salty, and you might not even need any extra salt
- Adjust the seasoning and make it your own - add more or less lemon juice and/or zest or maybe add a dried herb of your liking
- Make it dairy free by using a vegan crème fraîche
- Let it sit longer if you can - the flavor will just get better after a day or so in the fridge
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- This recipe does not freeze well
Recipe FAQ
Healthy always depends on your definition, but I consider salmon pâté a healthy choice in itself. It is pretty low in calories (112 kcal for one serving as a starter), low carb and high in fat and protein - and with lots of good fat from the salmon. This makes it a great keto dish.
To keep it a healthy option, be careful what you serve next to it. Butter fried bread is a less healthy option, while raw cut veggies are a great healthy choice.
Yes, you can absolutely use cold smoked salmon instead. If you do, I recommend using a food processor to mix everything together.
I would not recommend using leftover cooked salmon in this recipe, as it will not be the same without the salty smoky flavor of the smoked salmon.
How to serve it
Smoked salmon pâté is a great and versatile dinner party dish. You can either make canapés to serve as your guests mingle, or serve it as a sit-down appetizer.
Either way, it's great served as a smoked salmon spread or dip for 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.
More Quick & Easy Appetizers
Looking for more quick & easy appetizers, like this Smoked Salmon Pâté?
- Shrimp Scampi without Wine
- Salmon Tartare with Fried Capers
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Feta Stuffed Dates
- Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Air Fryer Dumplings
Recipe
Smoked Salmon Pâté
Print RateIngredients
- 1 cup hot smoked salmon chopped
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ cup créme fraîche
- salt according to taste
- 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 needed for this recipe
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red onion can be swapped for chopped shallots or leeks
- Cold smoked salmon can be used instead of hot smoked, but then I recommend making it in a food processor to get everything really well combined. If you don't have one, cut the salmon into really small pieces.
- 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
- Lemon juice needs to be fresh - bottled will not do
- Salt and pepper can be added according to taste
- Fresh dill, capers, parsley and horseradish are all great additions if you want to add even more flavor
Tips & tricks
- Hold the salt until just before serving - smoked salmon is very salty, and you might not even need any extra salt
- Adjust seasoning and make it your own - add more or less lemon juice and/or zest or maybe add a dried herb of your liking
- Make it dairy free by using a vegan crème fraîche
- Refrigerate longer if you can - the flavor will just get better if it stays in the fridge for a day or so
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- This recipe does not freeze well
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!