Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bites (Printable)

Refreshing cucumber rounds topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, dill, and lemon for a light appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 large English cucumber

→ Filling

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

06 - 3.5 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced

→ Garnish

07 - 1 tablespoon capers, optional
08 - Fresh dill sprigs, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash and dry the cucumber thoroughly. Slice into 16 thick rounds approximately 0.5 inch each, laying flat on a cutting board.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped dill, lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Using a small spoon or piping bag, distribute approximately 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber round, creating an even base.
04 - Gently fold or roll smoked salmon slices and arrange on top of the cream cheese layer on each cucumber bite.
05 - Top each bite with capers and a small dill sprig if desired. Arrange on a serving platter.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in 15 minutes, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of stressing in the kitchen.
  • Each bite feels restaurant-quality but tastes like something you naturally put together, not like you tried too hard.
  • The refreshing crunch of cucumber paired with creamy cheese and smoky salmon hits different when you're watching your carbs.
02 -
  • Dry your cucumber slices completely or the cream cheese mixture will slip and slide across the surface like it's on ice, leaving you frustrated and wondering why this easy recipe suddenly isn't working.
  • Softened cream cheese is everything here, because cold cream cheese won't blend smoothly with the herbs and lemon juice, leaving you with a lumpy texture that ruins the whole vibe.
03 -
  • Buy smoked salmon from the deli counter instead of the package in the cooler, because it's fresher and you can ask for slices thin enough to fold without tearing.
  • A small piping bag makes these look intentional and elegant, but honestly a small spoon works just fine if that's what you've got.
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