If you’re searching for a delightful appetizer that’s both elegant and refreshingly light, you’ve just hit the jackpot with this Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe. I absolutely love how these bite-sized beauties come together with creamy smoked salmon mousse perched atop crisp cucumber slices — perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special. Keep reading because I’m about to share all my little tricks to make your canapé game insanely easy and delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have the whole platter ready in about 20 minutes—total lifesaver for last-minute parties.
- Fresh and Light: The crisp cucumber balances the rich, creamy smoked salmon spread perfectly.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This is hands-down the most popular finger food I’ve served at get-togethers lately!
- Healthy Choice: Low in calories but big on flavor, so you can snack guilt-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe comes down to simple, fresh ingredients that complement one another beautifully. I always shop for the freshest dill and the best-quality smoked salmon I can find — it makes all the difference!
- Smoked salmon: Choose a good-quality, flavorful smoked salmon; it’s the star of the canapé.
- Cream cheese: Softened Philadelphia works best for a smooth mousse.
- Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and lightens the texture.
- Mayonnaise: Helps bind the mousse and adds richness without overpowering flavors.
- Fresh dill: Must-have herb for a bright, herby punch; sub with chives if you prefer.
- Garlic clove: Fresh and minced finely so the flavor melds without overwhelming.
- Lemon zest & juice: Both zest and juice add fresh citrus notes that cut through the richness.
- Salt and pepper: Just the right pinch to round out the flavors perfectly.
- Cucumbers: I use long Telegraph or English cucumbers for their thin skin and few seeds, but standard cucumbers work too!
- Extra dill sprigs & lemon slices: For garnish and that final wow-factor when serving.
Variations
This recipe is such a flexible canvas. I love to mix things up depending on the occasion, and I encourage you to get creative too. It’s all about what flavors and textures make you smile.
- Herb Swap: Sometimes I swap the dill for fresh chives or tarragon to change up the flavor profile while keeping it fresh and green.
- Spicy Kick: Add a tiny pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the mousse for a subtle heat that pairs surprisingly well with cucumber.
- Dairy-Free: For a vegan twist, swap cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo with a cashew-based spread and vegan mayo—texture stays creamy and luscious.
- Mini Toast Base: Instead of cucumber, try these on thin rye crackers or toasted baguette slices for an elegant variation.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Smoked Salmon Mousse
Start by roughly cutting your smoked salmon — no need for perfection since we’re blending it smooth! Pop it in your food processor along with softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse everything until it forms a silky, creamy mousse. Don’t over-process or the mixture might get too liquidy; just enough to combine smoothly is the sweet spot.
Step 2: Slice Your Cucumbers
While you’re prepping the mousse, slice your cucumbers into rounds about 1/3-inch thick. I personally prefer Telegraph or English cucumbers because their thin skins and fewer seeds make them perfect for bite-sized canapés—you want them crisp and easy to eat. Pat each slice dry with a paper towel if they feel wet, so the mousse sticks better and your canapé won’t get soggy.
Step 3: Assemble and Garnish
Spoon or pipe the smoked salmon mousse generously onto each cucumber slice. I find a piping bag makes this extra neat and fancy-looking, but a small spoon works just fine too. Top with a tiny dill sprig or a thin lemon slice for an inviting presentation—these little touches really impress guests! Arrange them on a platter and they’re ready to wow.
Pro Tips for Making Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe
- Use Well-Drained Cucumbers: Press cucumber slices gently between paper towels to remove excess moisture so the mousse doesn’t slide off.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your cream cheese soften properly for a smoother mousse without lumps.
- Make Ahead: The mousse can be prepared a day in advance to deepen flavors and save time.
- Don’t Skip the Lemon Zest: It’s subtle but gives your mousse that fresh pop you’ll crave.
How to Serve Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these canapés, I always use fresh dill sprigs and tiny lemon slices. The dill adds a burst of green freshness, and the lemon slice gives you the option to squeeze an extra hint of citrus if you want. Sometimes I add a small caper or a few finely chopped chives for an elegant twist. I find simple, fresh garnishes are key to making these look as delicious as they taste.
Side Dishes
These canapés pair wonderfully with crisp white wines or dry rosés, so I often serve them alongside a light salad or a bowl of marinated olives and nuts for a complete appetizer spread. When hosting, I like to complement with crusty bread or crackers so guests can mix and match bites.
Creative Ways to Present
I once laid out these canapés on a large wooden board with edible flowers nestled between, which made the spread irresistible at a summer garden party. For a classy twist, lining them up on individual porcelain spoons or mini slate tiles is a surefire way to impress. You’ll find presentation elevates even the simplest recipe into something memorable!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store the mousse and cucumber slices separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the cucumber from becoming soggy. The mousse should last up to 2 days chilled and freshly made cucumber slices keep well for a day.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this canapé because cucumbers get watery and mushy when thawed, which affects the texture dramatically. The mousse itself could be frozen, but it might separate slightly when defrosted.
Reheating
These canapés are best served chilled or at room temperature, so no reheating needed! Just pull them from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and bring out the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I make the smoked salmon mousse without a food processor?
Absolutely! You can finely chop the smoked salmon by hand and then mix it vigorously with the cream cheese, sour cream, and other ingredients using a fork or whisk. It won’t be as perfectly smooth but will still taste delicious.
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What’s the best cucumber for this recipe?
I prefer Telegraph or English cucumbers because they have thinner skins and fewer seeds, making them crisp and less watery. However, standard cucumbers work just fine if you peel and seed them before slicing.
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Can I prepare these canapés ahead of time?
You can prepare the smoked salmon mousse up to a day ahead and refrigerate it. I recommend slicing the cucumbers and assembling the canapés just before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
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Can I substitute smoked salmon with something else?
While smoked salmon brings a unique flavor, you can try smoked trout or even smoked mackerel for different but similarly rich results. Just adjust seasonings if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe has become my go-to when I want an appetizer that looks elegant but isn’t stressful to make. It’s fresh, flavorful, and always gets compliments — my family actually goes crazy for these at holiday parties! If you want a fast, healthy, and impressive dish to serve at your next gathering, I really encourage you to give this a try. I promise you’ll love how simple, yet special, these little bites are.
Print
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 40 – 45 pieces
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
These Cucumber Canapés with Smoked Salmon Mousse are a refreshing and elegant appetizer perfect for gatherings. Featuring creamy smoked salmon mousse atop crisp cucumber slices, this recipe combines fresh dill, garlic, and lemon for a flavorful, healthy finger food that’s quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Smoked Salmon Mousse
- 150g / 5 oz smoked salmon
- 150g / 5 oz cream cheese, softened (Philadelphia recommended)
- 2 tbsp / 30g sour cream
- 2 tbsp / 40g mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped (or substitute chives)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Cucumber Base
- 3 long cucumbers (Telegraph / English) or 6 standard cucumbers
- Extra dill sprigs for garnish
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Smoked Salmon Mousse: In a food processor or blender, combine the smoked salmon, softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Slice the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and slice them into 1/4 inch thick rounds. For standard cucumbers, peel if desired before slicing, whereas Telegraph cucumbers can be sliced with the skin on for extra crunch and color.
- Assemble the Canapés: Using a small spoon or piping bag, dollop or pipe the smoked salmon mousse onto each cucumber slice, covering the surface evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate each canapé with a small sprig of fresh dill and optionally add a thin lemon slice on the side for an elegant touch. Arrange them on a serving platter and keep refrigerated until serving.
Notes
- This recipe is great for making large quantities quickly, perfect for parties and gatherings.
- The smoked salmon mousse can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Using fresh dill really enhances the flavor, but chives can be substituted if preferred.
- These canapés are both healthy and low in calories, making them ideal for a light snack or appetizer.
- Video tutorial available above for visual guidance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 26 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 63 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
