Smoked Salmon Ball

A retro appetizer recipe with canned salmon, cream cheese and smoky flavor made into a cheese ball perfect to spread on crackers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. JUMP TO THE RECIPE
2. WHAT IS LIQUID SMOKE?
3. OTHER VINTAGE APPETIZERS TO TRY

There are some appetizer recipes I think of as “retro” or “vintage” merely because I remember my aunts, mom and others from their generation making them.

These are the classics that came out every Christmas or other significant occasions like sausage balls, pigs-in-a-blanket, grape jelly meatballs and, for Husband’s family, this salmon ball.

I’d never had this spread until I had my mother-in-law’s, and now that I have, it’s one of my must-have appetizers too!

There is nothing pretty about this recipe and every time I share a picture of it on social media there’s always a few folks who feel the need to post a puke-face emoji or say something rude. The good news is, jerks aren’t welcome at my table, so it doesn’t matter!

It may not be anything fancy to look at but it is now EXPECTED from my family and everyone looks forward to it. And I get an earful if I don’t have one ready for them to dig into!

You can change things up a bit if you’d like. You can leave the onions out (or use onion powder) but I love the texture of the finely minced onions in this.

You can add cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce for some heat. I add horseradish (also optional) which has a little bite so I’ve never thought I needed to add more spice.

I add Liquid Smoke to mine (MIL’s version doesn’t have it) because I LOVE smoked salmon but you can certainly leave it out if you’d like.

WHAT IS LIQUID SMOKE?

Liquid Smoke is a savory extract that is actually made from smoke. Particles of hardwood smoke (such as hickory or mesquite) are collected in condensers which creates a liquid that is then reduced to a concentrate. Look for it near BBQ sauces and marinades in your grocery store. I always assumed it was just a bottle of artificial flavor and preservatives and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it isn’t because I love using it!

INGREDIENTS FOR SMOKED SALMON BALL

CANNED RED SALMON – the red salmon is a little more expensive than the standard pink, but it has much better flavor and texture AND it’s a beautiful color which makes the salmon ball have more of that signature salmon color. If you use regular pink canned salmon, consider adding a drop or two of red food color when mixing the cream cheese.

CREAM CHEESE – you need to use full fat, regular cream cheese in this. I almost always use neufchatel cheese (reduced fat cream cheese) in other recipes that call for cream cheese but it’s too soft for this recipe.

FINELY DICED ONION – you can certainly leave the onions out or substitute with onion powder but the texture really adds something to the recipe.

HORSERADISH – this is optional but highly recommended. The horseradish adds a little bite that I love. I actually use more than what I have listed in the recipe so if you love that wasabi-ish punch, double up! You can add cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce instead of horseradish for a similar kick if you'd rather.

LIQUID SMOKE – my mother-in-law’s recipe doesn’t have Liquid Smoke but I think it’s a must. See the section above for more information on Liquid Smoke and how it’s made.

SALT – I like this to be a little on the salty side like real smoked salmon is. Start with 1/4 teaspoon then add more to taste.

OTHER VINTAGE/RETRO APPETIZER RECIPES TO TRY

ORIGINAL SAUSAGE BALLS – The original recipe for sausage balls using Bisquick, cheddar cheese and sausage.  

PECAN CHEDDAR CHEESE RING – Rosalynn Carter’s vintage appetizer with pecans and cheddar shaped into a ring with strawberry preserves in the center. 

PARMESAN SPINACH BALLS – An easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer using spinach, parmesan cheese and herb stuffing. 

SAUSAGE STUFFED MUSHROOMS – An easy recipe for mushrooms stuffed with Italian sausage and cheese perfect for appetizers. 

HOT CHICKEN SALAD – A retro appetizer made with chicken, almonds, cheese and celery topped with crushed potato chips served hot with crackers or served as a casserole.  

Recipe for Smoked Salmon Ball

smoked salmon, salmon ball, cheese ball, cheeseball, spread, appetizer, dip, cream cheese, canned salmon, horseradish, liquid smoke, mold, recipe, best, old school, retro, vintage, seafood, mousse

appetizer

american

Yield: 20 Servings

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Smoked Salmon Ball

A retro appetizer recipe with canned salmon, cream cheese and smoky flavor made into a cheese ball perfect to spread on crackers.

Prep time: 15 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 15 M

Ingredients

• 1 15-oz can red salmon
• 1 8-oz block cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
• 1/2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 small onion, finely diced

Instructions

1. Beat cream cheese, horseradish, Liquid Smoke and salt until creamy and smooth using a whisk or hand-mixer.
2. Drain salmon then remove and discard skin and bones. Stir salmon and onions into cream cheese mixture then mix until well combined.
3. Add more salt, Liquid Smoke and/or horseradish to taste if desired.
4. Line a small round bowl with plastic wrap then spoon salmon mixture into bowl. Bring plastic up and over the top of salmon mixture then gather/twist to shape into a rough ball. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. When ready to serve, pull plastic-covered salmon ball from bowl then shape with your hands into a more perfect ball then turn onto a serving plate and remove plastic.
6. Serve with crackers or crudité.

Notes

See post above the recipe card for questions about substitutions.

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2015/01/salmon-spread.html

Images and text © South Your Mouth 2015

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