Smoked Fish Dip is so easy to make and will bring back memories of your vacation on the coast. All you need is a cold beer and a few crackers to go with this dip. It’s even better than what you had at your favorite beach bar.
This fish appetizer is one that many people enjoy at their favorite beach bar but never tried to make at home. You’ll be amazed at our quick and easy it is.
To complete that experience follow up with classic Southern Style Fried Shrimp.
When I was a little girl living in Jacksonville, Florida, we would have smoked mullet any time there was a family get together. Mullet is a fairly large fish and it would be laid out on brown paper on a picnic table with some saltine crackers.
No dip – just crackers and smoked fish. In those days we didn’t use the word “appetizer”. To us, it was just a snack before supper.
What is the best fish for smoked fish dip?
Unless you live on the coast mullet probably isn’t available. But, if you are on the coast, or if you can get your hands on some, smoked mullet would make a mighty fine fish spread.
Smoked salmon is available most everywhere these days, and used in this recipe it will produce an amazing smoked salmon dip.
The first time we made ours we used speckled trout (salt water trout) that Buddy smoked in the big green egg. Let me tell you that was one superb smoked trout dip!
Fresh water trout would be delicious too. Instructions for how to smoke fish are below if you want to try your own.
Most recently the fish we used in the dip was mackerel. I found it at Whole Foods and the brand was Ducktrap River.
They have several varieties of smoked fish and I think it would be fun to try them all. Links to two and several other things you may need are right below the recipe.
I do recommend that you use a hearty flavored fish because you want to really taste the fish and the smoke flavor in this dip. A mild, white fish is going to get a little lost.
How to Smoke Fish
Chance are, you’re not going to crank up a smoker or the egg for just a few ounces of fish to go in dip. But, let’s say you’ve got some beef short ribs, smoked ham or smoked mac and cheese going – why not smoke a little fish too?
Here’s how we did it:
- dry brine 6-8 ounces of fish for 3 hours in a mixture of ¼ cup kosher salt, ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tsp. black pepper in refrigerator.
- Rinse the fish, pat dry, and, if possible, let it rest in the fridge overnight.
- Smoke on low heat (about 200 degrees) 2-3 hours (depending on the thickness of the fish)
This recipe made the suggested list for the Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas. You’ll want to visit for lots of other recipes as well as tips, tricks and planning help for your cookout.
How to make the dip
- Start with 6-8 ounces of smoked fish (make your own or find vacuum sealed packages in most markets)
- Let the cream cheese sit out until it’s room temperature
- Juice ½ lemon if possible. Otherwise use about 2 Tablespoons of bottled juice
- Flake the fish with a fork
- Blend all ingredients except the fish
- Gently stir in the fish
- Refrigerate covered for at least one hour before serving, if possible
Substitutions for Smoked Fish Dip ingredients
You know we always want to encourage you to try a recipe, even if you don’t have the exact ingredients. Keeping that in mind the following substitutions would be fine.
- We made ours with no mayo but you could substitute it instead of sour cream
- bottled lemon juice if you don’t have fresh (but fresh is definitely better – see below for our favorite tool for juicing lemons)
- don’t have dill? Or prefer another herb? Use whatever works for you
- if you want a spicy kick, but don’t have hot sauce, try a few shakes of cayenne or top it with jalapeno slice.
Smoked Fish Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ lemon juiced
- ¾ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp dry dill weed divided
- hot sauce to taste
- 4-6 ounces smoked fish flaked
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients except fish, reserving half the dill.
- Stir in flaked fish, blending carefully (don’t overstir).
- Garnish with dill.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to give flavors time to blend.
#1 TIP FOR MAKING THE BEST SMOKED FISH DIP? DON’T OVERSTIR WHEN YOU ADD THE FISH INTO THE OTHER INGREDIENTS. BE GENTLE!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read our full disclosure policy
Links to smoked fish and other items you may need:
- This link goes to Duck Trap smoked trout on Amazon
- Duck Trap smoked mackerel is great in fish dip
- Check out this cool indoor/outdoor tabletop smoker
- Our absolute favorite way to squeeze fresh lemons (and limes)
- Hickory wood chips
Southern Food Then and Now is all about traditions, regions and the origins of our favorite cuisine!
See y’all next time,
Love Seafood? More recipes that rock!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
I had never heard of smoked fish dip, but I am sure eager to try it now!!
Pam says
I hope you will Jacquee. It’s unique and delicious!
Lisa says
I’m not much of a fish eater, but I think I would love this with the dill and cream cheese, yum!
Pam says
Hey, anything is good with cream cheese, right?
Lisa|Garlic & Zest says
I live in South Florida and fish dip is a mainstay in our house… I make my own with a pickled smoked kingfish (my husband smokes it for me) it has mayo, cilantro, lemon and a hot sauce. I think there must be a thousand different ways to make fish dip — and I’m willing to taste test all of them!
Pam says
Yay! Finally someone who has heard of it. Pickled and smoked fish? That sounds interesting and yummy!
Katie says
Why have I never tried this before!? Heaven! So simple. So good. Thanks for the recipe!
Pam says
You are so welcome!
Jessica says
I’ve never had smoked fish dip before, but it sounds so good! Love the dill in it!
Pam says
Give it a try, Jessica!
Trev says
Excellent! Thank you
Suzanne says
Can you freeze this dip?
Pam says
I honestly don’t know Suzanne. I have never tried freezing it. I’m not sure if it would change the texture of the fish.
Brog Goethe says
I grew up in Jax (still here) and your mullet story is true! I am trying your dip today ,except with trout ,on my new smoker.
Jill says
This looks and sounds amazing. I’ve always wanted a smoker. Since we all have some extra free time now, I’m thinking I need to order one. I would not ever have thought to smoke fish, but I love this idea. Your photos are terrific too.
Pam says
Thank ou so much, Jill. Get that smoker ordered and get busy!
thisiswholesome says
I actually had this with veggies and tasted incredible, thanks!
Pam says
Yes! We love cutting carbs by using veggies to dip too.
Dannii says
This is one of our favourite dips. My kids love it too.
Pam says
Thanks for letting us know, Dannii!
Carrie Robinson says
I just love smoked fish! I bet this dip is amazing. 🙂
Pam says
Give it a try, Carrie. It’s so easy!
Lisa Seidl says
I made this with leftover grilled whitefish. Added a bit more Old Bay to make up for lack of flavor with the fish. Turned out really good!
Pam says
Good idea! Thanks Lisa.
Diane says
This recipe was the closest I’ve found to our favorite from the Tampa Bay area. I actually used Buffalo fish ribs which is a river fish (yeah, it’s a midwest thing) smoked indirectly on my Weber kettle with apple wood chips for flavor. I added about 2 tbsps each of finely diced green onion tops and parsley. Very good, and even more flavorful 12 hrs later. Kudos to the poster!!
Pam says
That’s awesome to hear Diane! We agree about letting the flavors blend – it just gets better!
Joyce says
I have always been so intimated to smoke fish because it’s so delicate but you made the process so easy. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I’ll be smoking my own fish from now on!
Pam says
You’ll love it. Thanks, Joyce!
Dionne says
This fish dip is amazing! I remember a friend making it for one of the parties we had, and it was a success!
Pam says
Thanks for letting us known Dionne!
Mahy says
Smoked fish is already delicious but make a dip with it, and you’ve got yourself the perfect party starter!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Delicious! I like this dip with salmon in it too!
Pam says
Yes, we do too! Thanks!
Gina says
This is the perfect kinda beach house vacation type of appetizer, a crowd pleaser for sure!
Claudia Lamascolo says
We make this dip often it delicious and everyone should try it that love smoked fish!
Mindee Taylor says
This was a unique treat for us! Perfect for snacking and chatting!
Jenny says
This sounds delicious! I’m going to try it with smoked salmon for an easy holiday appetizer.
Tavo says
Guys, Jillian, I totally loved this dip; it was delicious! I am making a second batch for a friends’ get-together!
Jyoti Behrani says
I love fish and this recipe sounds incredible! Definitely trying this soon. Thanks for such an amazing share!