Description
Elegant Smoked Salmon Mousse is a creamy, chilled appetizer that feels fancy but comes together fast, making it perfect for holiday appetizers, brunch ideas, party food ideas, quick appetizers, easy recipe planning, and elegant dinner ideas. Made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon, dill, and chives, this smooth seafood spread is rich, fresh, savory, and beautiful served with crackers, cucumber slices, crostini, or a brunch board.
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces smoked salmon, plus extra for garnish
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon capers, optional for garnish
Instructions
1. Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature so it blends smoothly.
2. Add cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, horseradish, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt to a food processor.
3. Blend until the mixture is smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides.
4. Add most of the smoked salmon, saving a few pieces for garnish.
5. Pulse until the salmon is blended into the creamy base, leaving it slightly textured or fully smooth depending on your preference.
6. Transfer the mousse to a bowl and fold in the chopped dill and chives.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour so the mousse firms and the flavors blend.
8. Spoon into a serving bowl, swirl the top, and garnish with reserved smoked salmon, dill, capers, lemon zest, or cracked black pepper.
9. Serve chilled with crackers, cucumber slices, toasted baguette, or endive leaves.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese for the smoothest mousse and avoid blending straight from the refrigerator.
Taste before adding extra salt because smoked salmon can already be quite salty.
Chill the mousse for at least 1 hour before serving so it firms up and develops a better flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
Keywords: smoked salmon mousse, elegant appetizer, quick appetizer, brunch ideas, party food ideas, seafood spread, easy recipe, holiday appetizers