Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (2024)

This decadent smoked trout dip comes together in minutes and yields the perfect amount for a shared appetizer for a small party (4 to 6 people).

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (1)

Go straight to the Recipe Card or
Read on for relevant information and step-by-step pictures and video (about 2 mins).

Ingredients for Trout Dip

Besides smoked trout fillets you need only a handful of other ingredients:

  • cream cheese,
  • capers,
  • paprika,
  • dill weed (fresh or dried),
  • fresh chives,
  • lemon (for zest and juice)

You may want to season with salt & pepper after you make it, depending on how salty the smoked trout is. Taste the dip once you’ve mixed it and season accordingly.

By way of equipment you will need a food processor, a zester (microplane grater) and a sharp chef’s knife plus a cutting board to finely chop up the chives.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (2)

TIP: Because the trout is the star of the show we recommend that you get good quality whole smoked fillets (not canned). They are superior both flavor and texture wise. For the dip quantity of this recipe you need about half a pound of trout, which is typically the equivalent of two fillets.

Remove the skin before using the trout. Simply peel it off starting from the tapered tail end of the fillets.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (3)

The skin of the smoked trout fillets will peel off easily.

Making Smoked Trout Dip is Really That Easy

The hardest thing you’ll have to do is wash your food processor after you are done.

  • Before you start mixing the ingredients take out the cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature on your counter – it is much easier to work with softer cheese.
  • Pulse it in a food processor and then crumble the trout fillets on top and process again.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (4)

  • Next add the capers, paprika and dried dill weed.

NOTE: If you’d rather use fresh dill weed chop it very fine and add it along with the chives in the end.

  • Process again (briefly) and then zest one lemon into the mixture and squeeze the juice of about half a lemon.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (5)

  • Pulse all the ingredients one last time and transfer the dip to a mixing bowl. Fold in the finely chopped chives. Reserve about two teaspoons of chopped chives for garnish.
  • If you are using fresh dill, fold it in now.This step of folding in the chives (and possibly dill) is necessary because the fresh herbs will color the mixture green if processed. Besides, the fine chop adds to the overall texture.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (6)

  • Taste your creation and adjust the seasonings as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved chives and a pinch of paprika.

You can enjoy it right away or cover it with plastic and refrigerate until needed. The trout spread will keep well for a few days in the fridge. Remember to let it come to room temperature before you serve it.

Tips & Considerations

The recipe for this smoked trout dip is Chris’ – a significantly scaled down version of the batches of it he used to mix for one of the very busy restaurants at The Stanley in Estes Park. He used to buy locally smoked trout from a place down the road and swears that the quality of your smoked fish is the single most important thing to consider when making this appetizer.

Serve smoked trout dip with a variety of fresh veggies (cucumbers are particularly well suited), crackers or toasted baguette slices (our favorite). The dip tastes really rich so simple ingredients make the best partners.

Beer Pairing Suggestions

Smoked trout dip tastes even better when paired with crisp German lagers. Their fine carbonation along with the aroma and herbal bite of Noble hops cleanse and open up the palate and enhance the experience of each new bite. Especially the stiffer, slightly more bitter North German pilsners. No wonder smoked trout dips can often be found on beer garden menus in Germany.

Other fine beer pairings are pale ales or IPAs hopped with citrusy American hops. The bright citrus complements and accentuates the flavors of the dip.

Overall, the more pronounced the hop presence in your beer, the better. Remember – hops love salt and smoked trout dip is definitely salty.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (7)

Other Dips You May Enjoy

Obatzda
Pub Cheese Dip
Beer Cheese Dip
Salsa Borracha
Roasted Pumpkin Savory Dip

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (8)

Smoked Trout Dip

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Smoked trout dip that is delicious, easy and fast work. It all begins with the quality of the smoked fish.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz smoked trout fillets*
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp capers (increase by 2 tsp if you really like capers)
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed**
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 lemon, medium sized (for zest and juice)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped + 2 tsp for garnish
  • salt & pepper, to taste, if needed

Instructions

  1. Bring the cream cheese to room temperature and set up a food processor. Finely chop the chives, reserve 2 tsp for garnish.
  2. Pulse the cream cheese to break it up and then crumble the smoked trout on top. Process to combine.
  3. Add the capers, dried dill, paprika and pulse to combine.
  4. Add the zest of the whole lemon and squeeze the juice of about half of it. Pulse one last time to combine. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Fold in the chives. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with reserved chives and a pinch of paprika.

Notes

*Be sure to use good quality smoked trout fillets as opposed to canned smoked trout. The quality of the fish directly impacts the end results in this recipe - both taste and texture.

**If you'd rather use fresh dill chop it finely and add it in the end along with the chives.

The dip is best enjoyed right away but will save well refrigerated for a few days. Remember to bring it to room temperature before serving.

To make toasted baguette slices cut a baguette in about half an inch thick diagonal slices, arrange them onto a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in a 375 F oven for about eight minutes or until they start turning golden brown. Turn them over once, after the first four minutes.

Recommended Products

We are affiliates for Amazon and other vendors and qualifying purchases you make support our blog at no cost to you.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 6 Servings
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 204Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 482mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 14g

Did you make this recipe?

Use the form below to subscribe for more like it or share it on Pinterest.

Smoked Trout Dip - Crazy Delicious & Easiest Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to eat smoked trout? ›

How to use smoked trout? Serve them, al natural, as pictured above, with a sauce or classic accompaniments such as capers, horseradish, hot mustard. Or remove skin and bones and serve the fillets with accompaniments or added to salads, soups, pasta or fish cakes.

What is smoked trout dip made of? ›

Stir trout, cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, green onion, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice, horseradish, cayenne pepper, and black pepper together in a bowl until well blended. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Is canned smoked trout good for you? ›

NUTRITIONALLY-RICH

In addition to Omega-3's, smoked fish provides a multitude of other nutritional benefits. Of course, it is very rich in protein, which is great for muscle growth, but it also packs iodine, as well as a multitude of other important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D.

How do you keep trout from drying out when smoking? ›

After gutting the fish, rinse them thoroughly with plenty of cold water. Optionally, remove the heads. Leave the skin on to protect the fish from sticking to the smoker grates and keep it from drying out during smoking.

What to pair with smoked trout? ›

The easiest $5 lunch ever: Mix up a tin of smoked trout with a dollop or two of Greek yogurt (or ripe avocado if you're dairy-free), salt, pepper, maybe some diced red onions if you're feeling industrious, maybe some white beans or chickpeas if you're starving, and a squeeze of lemon.

Should you eat smoked trout skin? ›

As long as fish have been properly cleaned and the outer scales fully removed, the skin is typically safe to eat.

Can I eat smoked trout raw? ›

Yes, you can use a smoked trout fillet in sushi or sashimi. The smoky flavor of the trout adds an interesting twist to traditional sushi or sashimi dishes. Just ensure that the trout is fresh and of high quality before using it in raw preparations.

Is smoked trout anti inflammatory? ›

Both salmon and trout are oily fishes, which are recommended as part of a healthy diet because they are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3s, which in fish are made up of DHA and EPA acids, can help support heart health and reduce inflammation in the body, and are considered essential to human growth.

Is smoked fish dip good for you? ›

Smoked fish is full of protein, omega fatty acids and other essential nutrients. It's definitely a healthy food, but it can be high in sodium.

How do you eat canned smoked rainbow trout? ›

Canned trout can be enjoyed in various ways. You can use it to make trout salad with mixed greens, or mix it with cream cheese and herbs to create a delicious trout spread for crackers or toast. Additionally, you can add canned trout to pasta dishes or use it as a topping for homemade pizzas.

What is better smoked salmon or smoked trout? ›

SMOKED TROUT

Trout is a great choice as it doesn't have quite as strong of a flavor profile, and lacks some of the fattiness of salmon, but retains the smoke flavor that makes salmon such a fantastic choice for smoking.

What does canned smoked trout taste like? ›

The texture is very firm and flaky. with this great smoky flavor. It almost reminds me a little bit of bacon.

Why is my smoked trout mushy? ›

Fish when properly smoked feel firm and springy to the touch, and the whole fish or fillets are fairly rigid; fish that are soft, flabby and sticky on the surface have either not been fully cured or were in poor condition when processed.

How do you know when smoked trout is done? ›

How Long Should You Smoke Trout? Smoke trout until the flesh turns opaque and begins to flake, and to an internal temperature of approximately 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This will take approximately one hour per half-pound of fish that you are smoking.

Why can't you touch trout with dry hands? ›

When handling a fish, always wet your hands prior to any touching. Trout have a protective coating (a slime layer) that protects them from disease. Wet hands reduce the risk of rubbing too much of the slime layer off.

Should smoked trout be cooked? ›

These fish are cooked and ready to eat whereas smoked haddock needs to be cooked before eating. So if you are substituting smoked trout you do not need to cook the fish before using it in the dish.

Is smoked trout ready to eat? ›

On arrival at the smokehouse it is dry cured with sea salt and dark molasses sugar before being smoked over a blend of Oak and Applewood sawdust. The trout is ready to eat, and has a delicious flavour with a firm flesh that is not over smoked. Suitable for home freezing.

What is the best way to eat smoked fish? ›

Hot smoked fish, such as trout and mackerel, are delicious flaked into salads or tossed with warm pasta, especially with a cream sauce. Here are some other ideas: Add flaked smoked trout to potato salad. Or serve it broken up over cooked beets tossed with lemon juice and fresh dill.

What is smoked trout good for? ›

Smoked trout is an excellent source of lean protein and is low in both fat and carbohydrates. It is also packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve brain health.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 5934

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.