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.
Smoked Fish Dip is an appetizer that I’ve always enjoyed, but until recently never tried to make it at home. It just seems connected to trips to the coast and it never occurred to me how easy it would be to create that same taste and sense of “beach time” no matter where you are.
To complete that experience follow up your smoked fish dip 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.
Love seafood and love casual meals? After this smoked fish dish make Fried Oyster Po Boys.
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What Type of Fish is Best in Smoke 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 dip.
Smoked salmon is available most everywhere these days, and is delicious in this recipe. Salmon in general has its own unique taste and puts a tasty spin on this dip.
The first time we made it we used speckled trout (salt water trout) that Buddy smoked in the big green egg. It made a superb smoked fish dip! I think fresh water trout would be delicious too. Instructions are below if you want to smoke your own fish.
If you love cooking outdoors we have a whole collection of grilled seafood recipes that you’ll want to check out.
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 ribs or a smoked ham 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 1/4 cup kosher salt, 1/2 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.
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Smoked Fish Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 3/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp dry dill weed divided
- hot sauce to taste
- 6-8 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.
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
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.
- use mayo 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? Whatever works for you
- if you want a spicy kick, but don’t have hot sauce, try a few shakes of cayenne
Southern Food Then and Now is all about traditions, regions and the origins of our favorite cuisine!
Love Seafood? More recipes that rock!
Jambalaya 
Southern Style Fried Shrimp 
Shrimp & Grits 
Crab Cakes with Remoulade 
Grilled Fish Tacos 
Grilled Shrimp Skewers 
How to Host an Oyster Roast 
Catfish with Creamy Lemon Thyme Sauce 
Chicken & Seafood Gumbo
See y’all next time,
I had never heard of smoked fish dip, but I am sure eager to try it now!!
I hope you will Jacquee. It’s unique and delicious!
I’m not much of a fish eater, but I think I would love this with the dill and cream cheese, yum!
Hey, anything is good with cream cheese, right?
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!
Yay! Finally someone who has heard of it. Pickled and smoked fish? That sounds interesting and yummy!
Why have I never tried this before!? Heaven! So simple. So good. Thanks for the recipe!
You are so welcome!
I’ve never had smoked fish dip before, but it sounds so good! Love the dill in it!
Give it a try, Jessica!
Excellent! Thank you
Can you freeze this dip?
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.
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.
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.
Thank ou so much, Jill. Get that smoker ordered and get busy!
I actually had this with veggies and tasted incredible, thanks!
Yes! We love cutting carbs by using veggies to dip too.
This is one of our favourite dips. My kids love it too.
Thanks for letting us know, Dannii!
I just love smoked fish! I bet this dip is amazing. 🙂
Give it a try, Carrie. It’s so easy!
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!
Good idea! Thanks Lisa.
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!!
That’s awesome to hear Diane! We agree about letting the flavors blend – it just gets better!