alaskan smoked salmon spread in a dish with knife.
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The Magic of Wild Alaskan Salmon Recipes

When it comes to creating an extraordinary appetizer, wild Alaskan salmon stands in a league of its own. Our Alaskan salmon recipe transforms premium wild-caught salmon into a creamy, irresistible spread that captures the essence of Alaska’s pristine waters. From Alaskan king salmon to wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, this recipe celebrates the rich flavors of the most sought-after fish in the world.

Wild Alaskan Salmon: A Culinary Journey

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary lies in the quality of ingredients. Wild Alaskan salmon – whether sourced from Costco, local markets, or specialty seafood shops – brings an unparalleled depth of flavor that elevates this spread from simple to spectacular.

Sourcing the Best Wild Alaskan Salmon

Choosing Your Salmon

For the ultimate Alaskan salmon recipes, consider these premium options:

  • Alaskan King Salmon: The richest, most luxurious option
  • Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon: Vibrant color and robust flavor
  • Wild Alaskan Wild-Caught Salmon: Sustainably sourced and incredibly fresh
  • Alaskan Salmon from Costco: A convenient and quality option for home cooks
  • Wild-Caught Pink Salmon from Alaska: Canned Aldi smoked salmon is a good affordable option

Pro tip: Look for wild-caught Alaskan salmon to ensure the most authentic taste and highest nutritional value.

Ingredients for the Perfect Wild Alaskan Salmon Spread

What You’ll Need

For this wild Alaskan salmon dip, gather the following ingredients:

  • Light cream cheese, (Neufchâtel cheese), room temperature
  • Fat-free Greek yogurt (FAGE is a favorite)
  • Wild Alaskan smoked salmon, flaked with a fork
  • Red onion, finely minced
  • Fresh dill, chopped plus sprigs for garnish
  • Capers, I recommend nonpareils for their size, drained
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper
  • Louisiana Hot Sauce (or substitute Tabasco sauce)
ingredients for smoked salmon spread.

Preparation Method

Crafting Your Salmon Spread

  1. Select your smoked salmon then flake it with a fork and put it to the side.
  2. In a medium bowl, let the cream cheese come to room temperature.
  3. Add Greek yogurt, cream cheese, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce to a small food processor and mix until smooth.  Scrape into a bowl.
  4. Finely chop the dill and red onion.  Drain the capers.  Add everything to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture.
  5. Add in the salmon, and fold everything to combine.  Taste again.
  6. Adjust seasoning if needed by adding more lemon juice, salt, pepper, and/or hot sauce.  Note:  you can substitute Tabasco Sauce for the hot sauce.
  7. Mix thoroughly and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let all the flavors meld together.
  8. I like to serve this in a small ramekin.  A crème brulee dish is perfect.  Alternatively, serve in a small bowl with a cheese spreader and crackers.  I like to serve this as part of my New Year’s Eve Dinner for Two menu.
flaked salmon in a bowl
piece of salmon and bowl of other ingredients for spread.
smoked salmon spread mixed in bowl.

Versatile Substitution Options

Alternatives for Your Salmon Spread

While wild Alaskan salmon is the star, you have options:

  • Salmon Substitutes:
    • Smoked tuna (for a different twist)
    • Fresh cooked salmon varieties, or Atlantic smoked salmon, etc. While Alaskan Smoked is the best by most seafood experts, there is nothing wrong with finding an affordable option at your local grocery store.  You’ll still get a fabulous starter.
    • Smoked trout
    • Fresh white fish
  • Additional Protein Options:
    • Canned salmon (as a convenient alternative) Don’t shy away from canned salmon.  It is packed with all the “good stuff” like omega 3s.  See my Old Fashioned Salmon Patties for another great way to use canned salmon.
    • Cooked and flaked fish
    • Smoked fish variations

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Pairings for Your Wild Salmon Spread

Serve your Alaskan salmon spread with:

  • Fresh raw vegetables
  • Artisan crackers
  • Toasted baguette slices
  • Bagel chips
  • Endive leaves
  • Homemade crostini
  • Finn Crisp Thins (Danish Crackers).  These are my go to crackers since they are super thin, low in calories and WW points plus they are made pretty “clean” with just a handful of ingredients.
crock of salmon spread with crackers on a serving board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wild Alaskan Salmon Spread Queries

A: Wild Alaskan salmon is renowned for its superior flavor, nutritional value, and sustainable fishing practices.
A: Absolutely! Thaw completely and pat dry before using in the recipe.
A: Refrigerated in an airtight container, it stays fresh for 3-5 days.
A: Extremely! It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential nutrients.

Final Thoughts

From Alaskan king salmon to wild Alaskan sockeye, this spread celebrates the incredible diversity of Alaska’s most prized seafood. Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or a curious home cook, this wild Alaskan salmon recipe bring the taste of pristine Alaskan waters to your table.  If you enjoy salmon as much as I do, be sure to try some of my other favorite salmon recipes like Almond Crusted Salmon with Lemon & Leek Crema or my Cedar Plank Salmon in the Oven. I’d also add my super light and healthy Salmon Oscar.  I lighted up the sauce on that recipe and it is delish.

Did you like this recipe? Please leave a rating and comment below. I’d love to hear how you served it. Looking for other dips and spreads? Try some of my tried-and-true favorites:

Macadamia Nut Hummus

Spicy Feta Dip

Greek Five Layer Dip

Crab Guacamole Dip

Cheesy Corn Dip

alaskan smoked salmon spread with crackers.
alaskan smoked salmon spread in a dish with knife.

Alaskan Smoked Salmon Spread

This is a lightened up version of a Smoked Salmon Spread recipe that still has all the great flavors and textures we've grown to love.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Starter
Cuisine General
Servings 6
Calories 61 cal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 Oz. Lite cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 Cup fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 Tsp. Fresh lemon juice
  • 3-5 Dashes Louisianna Hot Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. Red onion, finely minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Capers, drained
  • 8 Oz. Smoked salmon, flaked with a fork
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Fresh dill, chopped
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Fresh sprigs of dill for garnish
  • Crackers, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Pulse the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice and hot sauce in a food processor. Then mix until smooth. Add the salt and pepper and blend again. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Scrape the mixture from the food processor into a bowl. Add the red onion, capers, flaked salmon, and chopped dill. Fold in all the ingredients until well combined. Taste again. Feel free to adjust seasoning. Add more salt or pepper, lemon juice, dill or hot sauce. This is your dip so adjust flavors to your liking.
  • Spoon into a serving bowl and chill for an hour covered. Garnish with the fresh sprigs of dill and serve chilled with crackers. Enjoy!
Keyword appetizer, healthier choice, starter
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