These Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites make the perfect low-carb, holiday appetizer. Each cucumber cup is scooped out and filled with smoked salmon, whipped cream cheese, red onion, and capers—essentially everything I love on a bagel, minus the carbs!
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Elevate your holiday gatherings with these irresistible low-carb, cucumber smoked salmon bites! This simple yet sophisticated appetizer delivers a burst of flavor in every bite. The smoky richness of Nova salmon paired with the crisp crunch of cucumber makes these bites a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These are so much easier to make than these Smoked Salmon Pinwheels, another one of my favorite smoked salmon appetizers.
Why You’ll Love These Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
I love a good New York bagel with cream cheese, lox, and all the toppings. This ​smoked salmon cucumber appetizer​ is a delicious, bite-sized twist on the classic bagel combination. I also love bringing lighter appetizer to parties because I know most of the food will be more indulgent. Hope you enjoy!
If you make this smoked salmon on cucumber appetizer, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
What You’ll Need
You only need 6 ingredients to make this simple smoked salmon appetizer. The recipe card below provides the exact measurements.
- Red Onions for flavor, if you don’t like raw onions use scallions or chives.
- Whipped Cream Cheese is lighter than regular cream cheese. Let it come to room temperature so it’s easier to mix.
- Capers: If your lox isn’t very salty, you may need to add more capers. If it’s too salty, use less.
- Fresh Dill pairs beautifully with smoked salmon.
- Salmon: When I order smoked salmon from the bagel store, it’s typically Nova, which is cured and lightly smoked. This Acme Smoked Nova Salmon is available in most supermarkets.
- English Cucumbers replace bagels for a low-carb bite topped with all the traditional salmon bagel toppings.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
This easy smoked salmon cucumber bite recipe makes about 32 servings, but if you’re having a larger party, feel free to double it. The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Filling: Start by combining the red onions, cream cheese, capers, dill, and lox in a medium bowl. You can make this a day ahead and refrigerate.
Prep the Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers, leaving strips of skin, and then cut them into half-inch slices. Scoop out the middle of the cucumber with a melon baller, avoiding cutting through the bottom.
Assemble Cucumber Bites: Spoon the salmon mixture into each cucumber cup and garnish with dill.
Variations
- Salmon: You can use whatever smoked salmon you prefer. Gravlax could also work.
- Cream Cheese: Use 1/3-less fat cream cheese, AKA Neufchatel, if you can’t find whipped.
- Onions: Substitute shallots.
- Cucumbers: Regular cucumbers will also work.
- Herbs: Swap dill with chives.
Smoked Salmon vs. Nova Lox
Nova lox is cured and lightly smoked, so it has a mild, creamy, buttery flavor with a hint of smoke. Smoked salmon is preserved by salting and smoking, so it has a slightly salty and smoky flavor. I prefer Nova Lox, which is commonly served on bagels in New York.
What to Serve with Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Here are more healthy appetizer recipes that would be perfect for the holidays.
Storage
- You can assemble these cucumber smoked salmon bites up to 24 hours before serving. Refrigerate them in an airtight container until ready to serve.
- They can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. If they’re out for any longer, it’s best to throw away the leftovers, as they may no longer be safe to eat.
- Once assembled, this appetizer will last for up to 2 days.
More Smoked Salmon Recipes You’ll Love
Yield: 16 servings
Serving Size: 2 pieces
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In a medium bowl combine red onion, cream cheese, capers, dill and lox.
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Peel cucumbers leaving strips of skin, then slice into 1/2 inch thick slices. With a melon baller scoop out a shallow pocket in the middle of the cucumber slices—do not cut all the way through the slice.
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Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the salmon mixture into each cup and transfer to a platter, garnish with more dill.
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Cucumber cups can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of serving. Just keep them chilled in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Last Step:
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*My lox was pretty salty, if yours is not you can add more capers.
Makes 32 bites. Filling makes 2 cups.
Serving: 2 pieces, Calories: 53 kcal, Carbohydrates: 3 g, Protein: 4.5 g, Fat: 2.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 10.5 mg, Sodium: 467 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 1.5 g