Description
Easy smoked salmon cucumber rounds with herbed cream cheese. Elegant high-protein appetizer ready in 15 minutes. Perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon red onion, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces smoked salmon, cut into small pieces or rolled into rosettes
- Extra fresh dill for garnish
- Capers for garnish
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers thoroughly under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Slice cucumbers into ½-inch thick rounds, creating approximately 32 to 36 pieces, and pat the tops dry again.
- Combine softened cream cheese, chopped dill, chives, capers, minced red onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Stir the cream cheese mixture with a spatula or beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
- Arrange cucumber rounds on a large serving platter in neat rows.
- Use a small spoon or piping bag fitted with a star tip to add about 1 tablespoon of the herbed cream cheese mixture to each cucumber round.
- Cut smoked salmon into small pieces or create decorative rosettes by rolling thin strips from the short end.
- Place a piece of smoked salmon or a salmon rosette on top of the cream cheese on each cucumber round.
- Garnish each bite with a small sprig of fresh dill, an extra caper, and a light sprinkle of black pepper.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate covered for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt cream cheese for a lighter, higher-protein option.
- Use goat cheese instead of cream cheese for a tangier flavor.
- Swap smoked salmon for cooked shrimp or crab meat for different seafood options.
- Add a thin slice of avocado between the cream cheese and salmon for extra creaminess.
- Mix 1 teaspoon horseradish into the cream cheese for a spicy kick.
- Use everything bagel seasoning as a garnish for extra flavor and crunch.
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature at least 30 minutes before mixing for the smoothest spreading.
- Pat cucumber slices completely dry to prevent the cream cheese from sliding off.
- Use English cucumbers for thinner skins, fewer seeds, and less water content.
- Make the herbed cream cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate; assemble just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook Assembly
- Cuisine: American