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    Home » Southern Classics » Smoked Fish Dip Recipe

    Published: Oct 17, 2017 · Modified: Nov 30, 2021 by Pam

    Smoked Fish Dip Recipe

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    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.

    bowl of smoked fish dip with lemon

    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.

    crackers with smoked fish spread

    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.

    vertical shot of bowl of fish dip with crackers behind

    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.

    big green egg we use to make smoked fish

    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.

    cracker being dipped in smoked fish dip

    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:

    1. 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.
    2. Rinse the fish, pat dry, and, if possible, let it rest in the fridge overnight.
    3. 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)
    • 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.
    square shot of smoked fish dip recipe

    Smoked Fish Dip

    This easy recipe for Smoked Fish Dip will bring back memories of that trip to the beach. The full post includes directions for smoking your own fish, but you can easily use pre-smoked fish, too.
    4.7 from 33 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Servings 8

    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.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    #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,

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    Categories: Appetizers Tags: appetizers

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jacquee | i sugar coat it! says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:04 am

      I had never heard of smoked fish dip, but I am sure eager to try it now!!

      Reply
    2. Pam says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:12 am

      I hope you will Jacquee. It’s unique and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Lisa says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      I’m not much of a fish eater, but I think I would love this with the dill and cream cheese, yum!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:45 am

        Hey, anything is good with cream cheese, right?

        Reply
    4. Lisa|Garlic & Zest says

      October 17, 2017 at 9:05 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:44 am

        Yay! Finally someone who has heard of it. Pickled and smoked fish? That sounds interesting and yummy!

        Reply
    5. Katie says

      October 17, 2017 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      Why have I never tried this before!? Heaven! So simple. So good. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:44 am

        You are so welcome!

        Reply
    6. Jessica says

      October 17, 2017 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never had smoked fish dip before, but it sounds so good! Love the dill in it!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:43 am

        Give it a try, Jessica!

        Reply
    7. Trev says

      April 17, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      Excellent! Thank you

      Reply
    8. Suzanne says

      June 21, 2019 at 5:58 pm

      Can you freeze this dip?

      Reply
      • Pam says

        June 28, 2019 at 10:48 am

        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.

        Reply
    9. Brog Goethe says

      January 04, 2020 at 11:28 am

      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.

      Reply
    10. Jill says

      March 25, 2020 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 25, 2020 at 10:51 am

        Thank ou so much, Jill. Get that smoker ordered and get busy!

        Reply
    11. thisiswholesome says

      March 25, 2020 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      I actually had this with veggies and tasted incredible, thanks!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 25, 2020 at 10:52 am

        Yes! We love cutting carbs by using veggies to dip too.

        Reply
    12. Dannii says

      March 25, 2020 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      This is one of our favourite dips. My kids love it too.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 25, 2020 at 10:52 am

        Thanks for letting us know, Dannii!

        Reply
    13. Carrie Robinson says

      March 25, 2020 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      I just love smoked fish! I bet this dip is amazing. 🙂

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 25, 2020 at 10:52 am

        Give it a try, Carrie. It’s so easy!

        Reply
    14. Lisa Seidl says

      June 15, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        June 16, 2020 at 9:03 am

        Good idea! Thanks Lisa.

        Reply
    15. Diane says

      August 18, 2020 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 20, 2020 at 11:38 am

        That’s awesome to hear Diane! We agree about letting the flavors blend – it just gets better!

        Reply
    16. Joyce says

      August 05, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 05, 2021 at 10:59 am

        You’ll love it. Thanks, Joyce!

        Reply
    17. Dionne says

      August 05, 2021 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      This fish dip is amazing! I remember a friend making it for one of the parties we had, and it was a success!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 05, 2021 at 11:40 am

        Thanks for letting us known Dionne!

        Reply
    18. Mahy says

      August 05, 2021 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      Smoked fish is already delicious but make a dip with it, and you’ve got yourself the perfect party starter!

      Reply
    19. Jersey Girl Cooks says

      August 05, 2021 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! I like this dip with salmon in it too!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 05, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        Yes, we do too! Thanks!

        Reply
    20. Gina says

      August 05, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is the perfect kinda beach house vacation type of appetizer, a crowd pleaser for sure!

      Reply
    21. Claudia Lamascolo says

      October 27, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      We make this dip often it delicious and everyone should try it that love smoked fish!

      Reply
    22. Mindee Taylor says

      October 27, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      This was a unique treat for us! Perfect for snacking and chatting!

      Reply
    23. Jenny says

      October 27, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious! I’m going to try it with smoked salmon for an easy holiday appetizer.

      Reply
    24. Tavo says

      October 27, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      Guys, Jillian, I totally loved this dip; it was delicious! I am making a second batch for a friends’ get-together!

      Reply
    25. Jyoti Behrani says

      October 27, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love fish and this recipe sounds incredible! Definitely trying this soon. Thanks for such an amazing share!

      Reply

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