Smoked Salmon Cucumber bites are a classic combination of salmon, dill, cream cheese, and capers. They are the perfect finger food to snack on before dinner, a fresh contribution to your next appetizer party, or a nutritious snack to enjoy any day of the week!

You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this healthy, quick, and fresh appetizer.

1. Cucumber: A thin slice of cucumber is the base of this appetizer. It needs to be thick enough that someone can pick it up, but not so thick that it's the only thing people taste!
2. Smoked Salmon: A layer on smoked salmon is the star of this appetizer. We purchased our smoked salmon from Charlie's Seafood Market in Saskatoon.
3. Cream Cheese: The tangy flavour and smooth texture of the cream cheese pairs perfectly with the bold flavour in the smoke salmon!
4. Greek Yogurt: Combining the cream cheese with Greek yogurt (or Skyr yogurt) balances the rich flavour of the cream cheese and adds a burst of additional protein to this recipe!
5. Flavouring: we used a combination of fresh dill, capers, and lemon to add a fresh and zesty flavour to the bites.

If you have any leftovers after making this appetizer we highly enjoying it as a smoked salmon bagel or toast for breakfast the next day! Simply layer the cream cheese & Greek yogurt mixture onto a multigrain bagel or toast, add a layer of smoke salmon, and top with poached eggs. The combination of protein, fats, and fibre from the ingredients will keep you fuelled for hours!

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup (125g) plain Greek or Skyr yogurt
• ½ cup (120g) light cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers, chopped
• 1 English cucumber
• 4 ounces (112g) smoked salmon

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare the cream cheese yogurt mixture by mixing together the Greek yogurt and cream cheese. Then add the lemon zest, chopped dill, and chopped capers and mix to combine.
2. Slice the English cucumber into 24 slices that are about 1 inch each.
3. Spread the cream cheese yogurt mixture onto the cucumber slices. If you prefer, use a piping bag to neatly dollop the mixture onto each slice.
4. Top each slice with a piece of smoked salmon. Then top the salmon with optional garnishes like a piece of fresh dill and/or a caper.
5.  This recipe is best assembled only a few hours before serving. Store the cucumber bites in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them!

DIETITIAN THOUGHTS

Salt preservation techniques are used in conjunction with smoking to preserve smoked salmon. While salmon has many health benefits with its omega-3 and protein content, the higher levels of sodium in smoked salmon make it best suited as an occasional way to integrate fish into your menu planning versus an everyday ingredient staple. 

MORE RECIPES!

Looking for more appetizer recipes? Try our coconut shrimp or sushi bake recipe!

If you are looking for support from a Registered Dietitian to plan balanced, nutritious, and quick meals then click here to learn more about our services. Our team of Registered Dietitians supports clients in-person in Saskatoon or virtually in Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, rural Saskatchewan, and beyond!