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Hey Hey Hey!!!! Christmas is only few days away. Perfect timing for this super easy salmon cream cheese ball.
It’s great for an appetizer or to add to a cheese board. Best part? It only takes 15 minutes to make (minus several hours of chill time in the fridge)!!! 15 minutes of active effort for a Holiday appetizer?!?
Yes, I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true! Sometimes last minute recipes are the best that way.
And no one has to know how simple it really was! Because it certainly tastes like you took longer than 15 minutes to make.
Rich tangy cream cheese with a hint of smokey flavor from liquid smoke.
Have you ever used liquid smoke before? It smells like a camp fire…and I mean that in the good kind of camp fire…an intense smoky smell and taste to it. All you need to add is 1 teaspoon to the cream cheese and it adds a nice hint of smokey flavor that will make you think you used expensive smoked salmon to make this salmon cream cheese ball.
Only you didn’t use expensive smoked salmon. Nope, you used budget friendly canned salmon. So many wins with this recipe!
So, we’ve got tangy/smokey cream cheese + canned salmon and a hint of garlic from some garlic powder + a hint of herb-y onion from some fresh chives. All of that is rolled into a ball and rolled in some crunchy pecans.
Serve the salmon cream cheese ball with crackers for dipping (gluten free, if needed) and celery sticks.
I’m surprised to say that we actually preferred the celery sticks over the crackers. It keeps this dish a bit lighter in taste and the celery didn’t overpower the taste of the salmon cream cheese ball like the crackers did. Although, it’s still best to give guests both options to choose from.
It seriously couldn’t be any easier or anymore delicious.
I can’t take full credit for this lovely salmon cream cheese ball. This is my twist on a recipe that my Aunt has been making and now my mom enjoys making. Don’t the best Holiday recipes come from family?!
Okay, besides Christmas this salmon cream cheese ball would also make a great appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party…or really any party or festivity any time of year. Versatile, I love that!
Friends, I really hope you have a fabulous Christmas filled with lots of fun and good food.
I will be taking a little break from posting on Christmas Eve, but will be back with a new recipe between Christmas and New Years!!! Sending all my love to you! Enjoy!
Easy Salmon Cream Cheese Ball (Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 8 to 10 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side, Easy
- Cuisine: Fish, Gluten Free
Description
Salmon cream cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for any party. It tastes super elegant, but only takes 15 minutes to make!
Ingredients
- Salmon ball mixture
- 8 ounce cream cheese, sat at room temperature for several hours so that it’s soft
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- optional: 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
- 6 ounces pink canned salmon, drained
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh Chives, chopped
- Topping
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- For serving
- Crackers (use gluten free if needed)
- celery sticks
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese: Using either a stand mixer or a hand mixer mix the softened cream cheese with the lemon juice and liquid smoke (if using) until the cream cheese is nice and smooth.
- Mix: Add the remaining ingredients for the salmon ball – the salt, black pepper, chives, and garlic powder to the cream cheese. Use a spatula to mix it into the cream cheese.
- Chill: Cover the cream cheese mixture and chill for at least 4 hours, overnight is best.
- Finish: Place the chopped pecans and chives onto a rimmed baking pan or other shallow dish and mix to combine. Lightly oil your hands and form the cream cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the ball around in the pecans and chives sort of pressing the pecans into the cream cheese as you go. Finish by forming the ball into more of a ball shape (or a round disk if the texture ends up being softer). Place on a serving platter or cheese board.
- Serve: serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 days. Serve with crackers and celery sticks on the side for dipping.
Notes
Prep time does not include time required for the cheese mixture to chill (4 to 8 hours), it only states the hands on time that’s required.
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