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    Home » Appetisers » Cucumber Salmon Bites

    Cucumber Salmon Bites

    Published: Aug 25, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

    1191 shares
    Jump to Recipe Leave Review

    It doesn’t get any easier than these Cucumber Salmon Bites. These little appetisers are as delicious as they are pretty. Slices of crispy, crunchy, refreshing cucumber are topped with a lemon and dill cream cheese mixture and slices of smoky salmon. They are always popular at a drinks party and welcomed as a light start before dinner.

    Why we love this recipe:

    When you don’t have time to cook, or it’s too hot to turn the stove on, these little bites are ideal. They come together quickly, they look pretty and they taste great. They are light and refreshing, balancing the often-heavier food which you will be serving.

    It’s easy to transform crisp, crunchy, refreshing cucumber slices into these little bites. Despite the ease with which these Salmon Bites are prepared, they are an elegant appetiser, suitable for all occasions.

    When entertaining, it’s important to reduce stress, as much as possible, and this means easily prepared food. These little Cucumber Salmon Bites are perfect; you can prepare the ingredients in advance and assemble them shortly before serving.

    As well, they will suit many people with dietary restrictions as they are gluten-free and low carb.

    I love small bites of food. In fact, I often think they are more appealing than the main meal.  When I’m entertaining, I love to have a variety of small bites so my guests can try different things.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Cucumber – choose a long, slender cucumber such as the English cucumber. It’s also known as a seedless cucumber.

    Cream cheese – I use full fat cream cheese at room temperature for easy mixing.

    Lemon zest and juice – the fresh zest and juice add brightness which perfectly complements the smoked salmon.

    Fresh dill – dill has feathery, green leaves with an anise-type flavour. It is an ideal accompaniment to the smoked salmon and cream cheese. I use some in the cream cheese mixture and some sprigs for garnish.

    Black pepper – for the best flavour, use freshly ground black pepper. Pre-ground black pepper tends to taste dull.

    Smoked salmon – I use cold smoked salmon, the type found in the flat, vacuum-sealed packs at the supermarket.

    Step by Step Instructions:

    the four steps to prepare this recipe.

    1. To begin, trim the ends from the cucumber and cut crossways in slices.

    2. Place them on paper towel and pat dry.

    3. Add the cream cheese to a medium size bowl. With a fork, mix the cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Add the chopped dill, lemon zest, juice and freshly ground black pepper to the cream cheese. Mix well and adjust the seasoning to your taste.

    4. Cut the slices of smoked salmon into strips.

    Then, simply assemble your Cucumber Salmon Bites, and enjoy!

    up close shot of salmon bite on a timber board.

    Tips for Success and FAQs:

    These little Salmon Cucumber Bites are extremely versatile. Serve them at a cocktail party, a dinner party, around the barbecue, take to potlucks (they travel well) or make a few for a snack.

    If serving finger foods, these are ideal and using cucumber as a base instead of bread makes them a great low-carb addition to your canapes.

    Do you need to peel the cucumbers?

    No, you don’t need to peel the cucumbers, the skin adds nice colour contrast. However, you can if you want to. Alternatively, you could peel alternate strips off the cucumber to create a striped effect.

    Can you make the Cucumber Salmon Bites in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare the separate components ahead of time, but it is best to assemble them just before serving as the cucumbers will release moisture and they will become soggy. If you’d like to get ahead, here are a few things you can do:
    Make the cream cheese mixture, slice the cucumber, cut the smoked salmon into serving pieces. Wash, dry and prepare the dill – do not chop it ahead. Store the separate components in airtight containers in the fridge. You can prepare them a day ahead.

    How do I select the best cucumber?

    A long, slender variety of cucumber, such as an English cucumber, is best for these appetisers. Firmness is the best indicator of freshness. The skin should be a rich, deep green; avoid those that are limp or wrinkled.

    cucumber bites in a round black cast iron dish, sitting on a timber table, with a beige napkin around the edge.

    More delicious recipes for you to try:

    Here are some more of our favourite recipes using cucumbers:

    • Bread and Butter Pickles
    • Infused Water Recipes
    • Spicy Cucumber Pickles
    • Smoked Salmon Wreath
    • Radish, Feta and Cucumber Salad
    • Thai Chicken Larb
    • Dill Pickled Cucumbers

    Enjoy these Cucumber Salmon Bites. I would love to know when you try them – let me know in the comments below!

    Alex xx

    Cucumber Salmon Bites

    It doesn’t get any easier than these Cucumber Salmon Bites. They are always popular at a drinks party and welcomed as a light start before dinner. Next time you are entertaining, put out a plate of these appetisers and watch them disappear.
    5 from 41 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Appetiser, Snack
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 24 Cucumber Bites
    Calories: 24kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    • 1 long English cucumber See Note 1
    • ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese – full fat at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest – freshly grated
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed
    • 2 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped See Note 3
    • 150 g (5.25 ounces) smoked salmon See Note 4
    • dill sprigs – for garnish

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Wash and dry the cucumber and remove both ends. Cut into slices approximately ⅔ cm (¼ inch) thick.
    • Pat the cucumber slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
    • Add cream cheese to a medium-size bowl. Mix well with a fork until smooth.
    • Add lemon zest, juice, chopped dill and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until well combined. Check that the seasoning is to your taste. Depending on the cream cheese that you use, you may need to add some sea salt.
    • Spread about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber slice.
    • Cut the slices of smoked salmon into strips approximately 1 ¼ cm (½ inch) wide and 12 ½ cm (5 inches) in length.  Roll the salmon strips into a rose shape and place on top of the cream cheese mixture. Garnish with a dill sprig.
      Assemble the Cucumber Salmon Bites on a platter and serve – see Note 5.

    Notes

    1. A long, slender cucumber, such as an English cucumber is ideal. Mine was about 23 cm/ 9 inches in length.
    2. Add the dill according to your taste. Use less if you prefer.
    3. Check the seasoning and add extra lemon, dill, freshly ground pepper and a few sea salt flakes if necessary.
    4. I have used sliced cold-smoked salmon.
    5. You can assemble the Cucumber Salmon Bites about an hour in advance. If you assemble them too far ahead, the cucumber will release moisture and they may become soggy. It is best to prepare each component separately (sliced cucumber, cream cheese mixture, washed dill and sliced salmon) and store in the refrigerator in airtight containers. You can do this a day ahead and assemble them just before serving. Remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to serving.
    6. Please note, the nutritional information is based on one cucumber bite (and not per serving).

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 17mg | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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    1191 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Felicia

      October 08, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe! This was such a great low carb appetizer that’s healthy, delicious, and easy to make! I followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfect. That’s such a great tip to pat the cucumbers dry. It really helped the topping adhere to the cucumber. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 12, 2020 at 5:49 pm

        Hi Felicia, thank you for your lovely comments regarding our Cucumber Salmon Bites. I am delighted that you enjoyed this very easy appetiser. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Monica

      August 29, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      My new snack! Yum!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 30, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Christie

      August 28, 2020 at 6:48 am

      5 stars
      These little bites are such a great idea Alex! I love smoked salmon especially on cucumber. Refreshing and tasty!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 05, 2020 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you so much, Christie!

        Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      August 26, 2020 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      What a perfect little appetizer, Alex! These are fantastic. I think cucumber and salmon is the best combo. Now I”m craving some!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 03, 2020 at 12:21 pm

        Hey Katherine! I agree – such a great combo! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sue

      August 25, 2020 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      These cucumber salmon bites are a new favorite. I love that they are low carb and secretly healthy. They make a great lunch or appetizer!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 31, 2020 at 10:09 pm

        Thanks, Sue!! I am so pleased you enjoy them as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    6. Helen @ family-friends-food.com

      August 25, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      These are so pretty and such a great combination of flavours. Perfect easy canapés for parties. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 26, 2020 at 5:21 pm

        Thank you, Helen!

        Reply
        • Doug Wilson

          December 20, 2022 at 11:49 pm

          Great recipe with smokey salmon flavour that pairs well with a dry red wine.

        • Alexandra

          December 30, 2022 at 6:41 pm

          Hi Doug, I am so pleased that you enjoyed the Cucumber Salmon Bites. Thank you for letting me know .:)

    7. Lata Lala

      August 25, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious looking cucumber salmon bites are perfect to be served as starter or an appetizer. Loved it’s simple yet super flavours.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 02, 2020 at 2:46 pm

        Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    8. Mirlene

      August 25, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      I agree – these cucumber salmon bites are too easy not to try them. They’re very tasty, too!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 02, 2020 at 2:47 pm

        Thank you, Mirlene!

        Reply
    9. Shashi

      August 25, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      These are adorable and delicious – and perfect for the holidays and small family get-togethers!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 05, 2020 at 12:37 pm

        Thank you so much! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

    Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

    My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. learn more about me here →

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    1191 shares