Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites (2024)

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!

• Easy: No cooking required, just mix everything and assemble.
  
• Healthy: The perfect low-carb, low-calorie, high-protein appetizer
• Make Ahead Friendly: They’re easy to prep in advance and will be a great addition to your holiday table.
• Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, gluten-free, high-protein.

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.

What to Serve with Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

Here are more healthy appetizer recipes that would be perfect for the holidays.

• Hot Spinach Dip
• Italian Shrimp Salad
• White Bean Crostini
• Sugar Plum Baked Brie Bites

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

• ​Easy Bagel Bar Brunch
• Seattle Smoked Salmon Chowder
• Lox and Eggs with Onions
• Smoked Salmon Breakfast Flatbread
• Goat Cheese Herb Omelet with Nova Lox