Inside: Step-by-step guide to assembling salmon balls with goat cheese, smoked salmon and Everything Bagel seasoning.
This easy smoked salmon cheese ball, coated in Everything Bagel seasoning, is a delicious, make-ahead appetizer that’s ideal for holidays, parties, or casual get-togethers. It combines creamy goat cheese and cream cheese with buttery smoked salmon, bright lemon zest, a touch of horseradish, and fresh chives for a balanced, crowd-pleasing spread.
Smoked salmon is an easy and elegant ingredient for entertaining because it’s ready to use and brings a silky, salty richness that elevates simple bites. It works beautifully in classics like lox and bagels and translates perfectly into this cheese ball format, which plays on those same familiar flavors.
Inspired by the lox-and-bagel combination, this recipe turns that breakfast favorite into a festive hors d’oeuvre: creamy, tangy, and savory with the crunchy, savory pop of Everything Bagel seasoning. It’s terrific on bagel chips, crackers or crisp vegetables and also makes excellent leftovers as a schmear for your morning bagel.
Because it can be made ahead and chilled, this smoked salmon cheese ball is a practical choice for hosts who prefer to spend time with guests rather than fussing in the kitchen.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare the ball in advance, chill, and finish with the seasoning when ready to serve.
- Quick prep: About 15 minutes of hands-on time, plus chilling to firm the cheese and meld flavors.
- Versatile serving options: Offer bagel chips, crackers, or crudités to suit different preferences.
- Delicious leftovers: Spread on bagels, toast, or crackers for a flavorful next-day snack.
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese – Use full-fat for the best texture and flavor.
- Goat cheese (chèvre) – Tangy and creamy; blending with cream cheese softens its texture.
- Lemon zest – Adds a bright, fresh note.
- Prepared horseradish – Gives a gentle heat and finishing bite.
- Worcestershire sauce – Contributes a savory umami depth.
- Cold smoked salmon – Use good-quality smoked salmon; a little goes a long way.
- Everything Bagel seasoning – Choose a low-sodium store mix or make your own (recipe in Notes).
- Chives – Finely minced for a fresh onion flavor and garnish.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Place the goat cheese (5 ounces) and cream cheese (4 ounces) at room temperature into a small food processor and blend until very smooth.
2. Add ½ teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Pulse until the seasonings are fully incorporated.
3. Add about half of the smoked salmon (approximately 1 ounce) to the cheese mixture and process until completely smooth and lump-free. Using a food processor yields the creamiest texture, but a hand mixer will work if needed.
4. Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl. Finely mince 1 tablespoon chives and the remaining smoked salmon (about 1 ounce) and fold them into the cheese mixture until even.
5. Line a 1-cup bowl with plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to cover the top. Press the cheese mixture into the bowl, fold the plastic over, and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours to firm and develop flavor.
6. When the cheese ball is firm, remove it from the bowl using the plastic wrap. Pour ¼ cup Everything Bagel seasoning into a shallow bowl and gently roll or press the cheese ball into the seasoning so it adheres evenly.
7. Turn the ball to coat all sides. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with extra minced chives if desired. Serve with bagel chips, crackers, or vegetables.
9. Present the smoked salmon cheese ball on a platter with a selection of crackers or chips and fresh crudités for a balanced, appealing appetizer display.
Pro-Tips:
- Watch the salt: Smoked salmon can be salty. If your Everything Bagel seasoning is salted, apply it lightly or choose a low-sodium blend so the cheese ball isn’t overwhelmed.
- Make your own seasoning: Combine toasted sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, black sesame seeds, and poppy seeds for a fresh-tasting Everything Bagel mix without added salt.
- No food processor? Use a bowl and hand mixer to blend the cheeses and part of the salmon. The texture will be slightly less silky but still delicious.
- Shape options: Use any small mold or bowl (about 1 cup) to form the ball. Line it with plastic wrap and press the mixture into corners for a clean shape.
- Chill before serving: Chilling firms the cheese ball and lets the flavors meld, so don’t skip the refrigeration step.
Variations and Swaps:
- Coatings: Try chopped toasted pecans or almonds, finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, tarragon, chives), or toasted panko for a crunchy exterior.
- Serving options: Bagel chips, pita chips, or your favorite crackers are all great. For a low-carb option, serve with sliced cucumbers or bell pepper strips.
- Bite-sized: Make teaspoon-sized rounds instead of a single cheese ball for a passed hors d’oeuvre.
FAQs
Store the salmon ball uncoated in the refrigerator for best results and coat it with the Everything Bagel seasoning just before serving to preserve seed crispness. It will keep well for about 2–3 days chilled.
Crunchy bagel chips complement the lox-and-bagel theme, but pita chips, water crackers, or sturdy wheat crackers also pair nicely depending on your preference.
This smoked salmon cheese ball pairs well with crisp white wines, sparkling wine, light beers, or refreshing non-alcoholic options like sparkling water or citrus-forward mocktails.
Make Ahead:
- Prepare and chill the salmon ball up to 24 hours ahead. For the best texture, roll it in the Everything Bagel seasoning just before serving.
Storage:
- Store leftovers well wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Leftovers make an excellent spread for toasted bagels or crackers the next day.
Freezing:
- Freezing is not recommended because the fresh chives and smoked salmon texture deteriorate when frozen and thawed.
This smoked salmon cheese ball is tangy, creamy, and lightly smoky without being overpowering. It’s an elegant, simple appetizer that’s easy to scale for small parties or large gatherings.
More smoked salmon appetizers:
- Elegant smoked salmon canapés
- Smoked salmon pizza
- Chunky salmon cucumber dip
More cheese appetizers:
- Sausage cheese balls
- Horseradish flavored cream cheese
- Pimento cheese
- Cheese board ideas for no-cook entertaining
- Roasted grape goat cheese crostini
For additional smoked salmon recipe ideas, search recipes for smoked salmon or lox-inspired appetizers in your personal collection.
More Make Ahead Appetizers:
- Pork rillettes
- Curry coconut roasted cashews
- Smoked fish dip
- Cheese crackers
- Florida-style smoked whitefish dip
- Asian pork dumplings
Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE SALMON GOAT CHEESE BALLS:
- 5 ounces goat cheese at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ounces smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon chives minced
- ¼ cup Everything Bagel Seasoning use a low-sodium store-bought brand or assemble your own.
DIRECTIONS:
MAKE THE SALMON CHEESE BALL
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Place 5 ounces goat cheese and 4 ounces cream cheese in a mini prep food processor and pulse until combined and very smooth and creamy.
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Add ½ teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and pulse several times until well incorporated.
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Add about half of the 2 ounces smoked salmon to the cheese mixture and pulse until it’s smooth and creamy and no lumps of salmon appear.
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Transfer the salmon mixture to a small bowl. Mince 1 tablespoon chives and add to the salmon. Mince the remaining 1 ounce salmon and add to the cheese mixture, stirring until evenly combined.
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Line a small 1 cup bowl with plastic wrap, leaving the ends hanging over the bowl. Transfer the cheese mixture to the bowl and gently wrap the ends of the plastic wrap over the salmon ball. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24.
COAT THE CHEESE BALL:
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Add ¼ cup Everything Bagel Seasoning to a bowl and spread in an even layer. Remove the plastic wrap from the salmon cheese ball and rest it in the seasoning.
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Carefully turn it over until it’s well-coated. Transfer the smoked salmon cheese ball to a serving platter and sprinkle with extra chopped chives for garnish, if desired.
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Serve with bagel chips, crackers or crudite.
NOTES:
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons minced dried onion
- 2 teaspoons minced dried garlic
- ½ teaspoon black sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds
This homemade blend keeps the flavor bright without added salt. If you use a store-bought mix, taste it first and reduce the amount if it seems too salty for the smoked salmon in this recipe.
NUTRITION:
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