Easy Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread

This post is sponsored by Philadelphia Cream Cheese

I have a confession to make with you guys: I just love smoked salmon cream cheese bagels – maybe a little too much. I mean, have you ever had one? The cream cheese + smoked salmon flavor combo is pretty much the best thing that has ever existed. So when I invited friends over for a little laidback summer picnic, I knew that I had to serve something with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Enter this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread that’s just too good to be true.

This Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread is, like, way beyond good. It’s packed with fresh ingredients, delicious flavors, and is super quick to make at home. Plus you can use it to spread on top of pretty much all of your favorite things (crudités and bread, anyone?).

I also really love how subtle the flavors are; this is the perfect appetizer for a hot day or a morning gathering. It’s not overpowering, so you can really feel each and every one of the ingredients. The cream cheese is the star, the smoked salmon shines and the lemon juice and garlic bind all the flavors together.

I made this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread with store-bought smoked salmon, but if you feel like going the extra foodie mile, you can smoke the salmon at home. The smoking process is pretty quick once you have everything ready and the prep process is mostly non-active time. While the flavor is just the same whether you decide to go with the homemade version or the store-bought version, it may be a fun activity to try at home.

To smoke your salmon, just grab a big salmon fillet, place it in a dish and completely cover it with equal parts salt and sugar. Place another dish on top and something heavy (so the salmon is pressed down) and let it sit in your refrigerator overnight. Then just remove the cure, wash it with cold water and bake for 15 minutes in your oven. The result is just as good as the store-bought alternative.

For the cream cheese (remember it is the star of this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread) I went with Philadelphia Cream Cheese. For me, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a must-have; there are so many things you can do with one of their bricks (cheesecake dip, sundried tomato crostinis, blueberry cups, and more) and the whipping up process is pretty effortless. Plus everything turns out like a masterpiece. Their secret for premium quality cream cheese is using fresh milk, real cream, and no preservatives. The result? A creamy, velvety brick of the most delicious cream cheese you’ll ever taste.

Easy Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread

For all of your entertaining needs, turn to Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Always have it on hand to create fun appetizers and desserts that pop. I had a great time developing my Fast Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread for my Summer picnic. For more creamy, delicious recipe ideas, click here.