Description
A creamy, flavorful smoked salmon cheese ball perfect for entertaining, combining smooth cream cheese with smoky salmon, zesty lemon pepper, and crunchy pecans for a delightful appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 12 ounces smoked salmon, or regular salmon plus 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
Coating
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (chives, parsley, dill, etc), chopped
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cream cheese, sour cream, smoked salmon (or regular salmon with liquid smoke), finely diced red onion, and lemon pepper seasoning into a mixing bowl.
- Mix Thoroughly: Use your hands or a stand mixer to blend all the ingredients together until fully combined and smooth.
- Form the Cheese Ball: Shape the mixture into a ball with your hands. The mixture will be soft but will firm up when chilled. If too soft, chill for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Prepare the Coating: Mix the chopped pecans and fresh herbs together in a single layer on a plate or cutting board.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Roll the cheese ball in the pecan and herb mixture until fully coated on the outside.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately with crackers or veggie slices, or refrigerate until firm. Flavors intensify the longer it sits in the fridge, so it can be prepared a day ahead.
Notes
- For smoky flavor without smoked salmon, use 1 teaspoon of your favorite liquid smoke.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute vegan cream cheese spread.
- The cheese ball firms up when chilled, making it easier to roll and slice.
- Serve with crackers, sliced vegetables, or bread for a perfect appetizer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12th of cheese ball
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
