Salmon Cheeseball is a creamy, savoury favourite that is lovely served for entertaining, celebrations or whenever you need an easy platter option. Cream cheese, salmon and sour cream create a smooth, creamy base, with herbs and seasonings adding plenty of flavour.
It is simple to prepare ahead of time, making it especially handy when you have guests coming. Once chilled and ready to serve, it makes a delicious addition to a shared platter or appetiser spread.
Why cheeseballs deserve a comeback
Cheeseballs really are the ultimate retro recipe, and I for one do not want this delicious appetiser to disappear from our memories! There is something so nostalgic about a cheeseball in the middle of a platter, ready for everyone to gather around and enjoy. So I have made it my mission to keep them alive and bring you as many delicious flavours as I can think of.
Adding flavour to a salmon cheeseball
Today, I am sharing the classic salmon version. Cheeseballs are a cream cheese base with any flavour combination you desire. If you think something will work with cream cheese and salmon then chuck it in! They are so forgiving and the more flavours the better.
What do you need to make a salmon cheeseball?
To make this delicious salmon cheeseball, I have combined classic flavours of cream cheese, smoked salmon with some red onion, lemon dill etc. The full list of ingredients I have used are:
- Cream cheese
- Smoked salmon (you can use fresh or canned)
- Sour cream
- Red onion
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Lemon
- Worcestershire sauce
- Pecans
- Dill or parsley
It is lovely to use smoked salmon in this one for extra flavour to cut through the creaminess of the dish.
Please scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe and method below.
What can I use instead of nuts to coat a salmon cheeseball?
You can use so many other options to coat your cheeseball instead of using nuts. Such as parsley, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, crispy bacon pieces, crushed corn chips or crisps, crushed crackers, cornflakes and more!
How to make this salmon cheeseball
Making a cheeseball is so quick and easy I think this will become a favourite over the summer months.
First start with room temperature cream cheese, this makes it easier to soften and combine with the other ingredients. You can make cheeseballs in a food mixer or processor but I prefer using a firm wooden spoon and bowl as there is less mess and I can work with it much easier.
In a large bowl add the cream cheese then using a strong wooden spoon soften and squash the cream cheese until it is easier to work with. Then you want to flake up the salmon.
I did this using two forks, then add all the lovely salmon to the cream cheese and the rest of the ingredients and combine well.
Then you want to prepare the crumb. I have made a crumb from diced pecans, lemon zest and dill and spread this onto a flat plate. You can use crackers, corn chips or another nut if you prefer. Chop the pecans to a small uniform size for best coating.
And then I lay out a piece of plastic wrap, the next steps are using your hands so if everything is prepared ahead of time then you are making your life much easier in terms of mess.
Using a rubber spatula I bring the ingredients together in the bowl to a loose ball, then pick up with your hands and begin to shape into a round ball, then place the ball onto the crumb plate and coat. All the time you are continuing to shape the ball so that once you refrigerate it the shape is lovely and smooth.
How far ahead can you make a salmon cheeseball?
You want to chill a cheeseball for at least 2 hours, to firm up but also to meld together the lovely flavours. Some people do not coat the cheeseball until serving. If you prefer the nuts to be firm then do this, but I like to do it at the time. A cheeseball can be made up to 2 days before.
Other cheeseball recipes to try
For more of my delicious cheeseball recipes please check out my other versions listed below. Please do let me know what flavour combination I am missing, if you have any further ideas to add.
- Classic Cheeseball
- Sweet Chilli Cheeseball
- Pineapple Macadamia & Coconut Cheese Log
- Apricot & Almond Cheese Log
Salmon Cheeseball recipe
Salmon Cheeseball
This Salmon Cheeseball combines cream cheese, salmon, sour cream, herbs and seasonings for a creamy, flavourful appetizer that is easy to prepare ahead.
Ingredients
- 225 grams Cream Cheese, room temperature
- 150 grams Smoked Salmon, flaked, boneless (can use fresh or canned)
- 1/4 Cup Sour Cream, 60mls
- 2 tablespoons Red Onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice, 10 mls
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 5 mls
- Pinch of Salt
- 1/2 Cup Pecans, finely diced
- 3 Tablespoons Dill or Parsley, fresh, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
Instructions
- Allow the cream cheese to soften or come to room temperature
- In a medium bowl add the cream cheese and with a strong wooden spoon mix this until soft
- Add to this the flaked salmon, sour cream, finely diced red onion, lemon pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of salt.
- Mix well to fully combine with no lumps of plain cream cheese remaining and set aside
- Next add your finely diced pecans, sliced dill or parsley and grated lemon zest to a large plate or pudding bowl and mix well
- Cut off a large piece of plastic food wrap and lay near you on the bench
- With a rubber spatula begin to bring together the cream cheese mixture, scraping the sides and forming a sort of ball shape
- With damp hands lift up the ball and gently form into a round ball shape as best you can
- Pop this into the pecan coating and roll to coat, continuing to shape it into the ball shape as you go, pressing the pecans into the sides until the cheeseball completely coated.
- Place this onto the piece of plastic wrap and firmly wrap, again ensuring it is still a ball shape.
- Pop this in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
- This will keep for a few days ahead of time in the refrigerator if your ingredients are fresh.
- For best experience get out of the fridge 20 minutes before eating.
- Enjoy!
Notes
What can I use instead of nuts for a coating to the cheeseball?
No problem, you can use so many other options to coat your cheeseball, parsley, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, crispy bacon pieces, crushed corn chips or crisps, crushed crackers, cornflakes and more!
Nutrition Information
Yield 15 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 134Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 4gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 20mgSodium 334mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 4g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I really hope you enjoy this Salmon Cheeseball as much as we do. It is such a lovely recipe to have on hand for entertaining and sharing, and I hope it becomes one you bring out for many gatherings and celebrations to come.
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
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Happy baking,
Anna x
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