salmon rillettes (buttery salmon spread)

Salmon rillettes is about to be your new favorite salmon spread. It’s rich, smooth and so flavorful. It combines fresh and smoked salmon for depth of flavor, and whole grain mustard, lemon juice and parsley for a pop of freshness. 

It’s the most flavorful salmon dip out there—perfect when slathered on crackers, crusty artisan bread, vegetables, or honestly, just by the spoonful. 

This salmon rillettes is deceptively quick to make (unlike traditional pork rillettes). Steam and shred the salmon, fold it into the buttery base and voila! A crazy delicious salmon dip with smoky, herby, lemony flair. 

I love to bring this smoked salmon spread to parties, especially for the holidays. It’s a great make-ahead appetizer (only gets better in the fridge), it travels like a dream, and it’s always the first dip to go. I can’t think of a better pairing for your glass of Champagne!

And if you’ve been looking for something different, this is a great salmon spread without cream cheese. While those dips can be delicious, often times there’s so much cream cheese in the recipe that the texture and flavor of the salmon is lost. In this salmon spread, we use butter and olive oil to add richness and to pull together the spread without losing the star ingredient: the salmon.

What are rillettes?

Traditionally, rillettes was a method of preserving pork and other meat. The meat is slowly cooked in fat, then it’s shredded, packed in a jar, and topped up with the strained fat. The result is tender, flavorful meat that will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 months. 

It’s a great way to use leftover bits of meat— and you always have a rich, flavorful spread in the fridge. 

Rilletes can be made with any kind of meat, and is commonly applied to duck, goose, chicken and fish. In the case of salmon rillettes, we simply mix the cooked fish in olive oil and butter. No slow cooking required!

why these salmon rillettes are the best

Two forms of salmon: the combination of fresh and smoked salmon is the best way to get rich flavor without too much smokiness. I love smoked salmon, but I don’t want it the smoke to overpower the rest of the fresh lemony, herby flavors. This combination is the ideal compromise!

Steamed fresh salmon: At face value, steamed fish sounds terribly bland. But it’s actually one of the best ways to keep the salmon moist and concentrate its flavor. It’s also really simple to do and doesn’t require splattering oil or turning on the oven.

Olive oil and butter: A splash of olive oil adds grassy, peppery notes to this spread, while the spreadable consistency of butter transforms it into a perfect salmon dip. Butter also adds that sweet creamy flavor!

Fresh flavors: Let’s be straight here: salmon rillettes are rich. To balance the buttery salmon spread, we need to add some acid and freshness. Lemon juice, fresh parsley and whole grain mustard offset the richness and keep you coming back for more!

What you need to make this salmon spread:

• Fresh salmon
• Smoked salmon
• Lemons
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Whole grain mustard
• Parsley
• Salt and black pepper

How do you make salmon rillettes?

1. Steam the salmon, let cool and shred
2. Shred the smoked salmon
3. Mix butter and olive oil until smooth
4. Stir in mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper and parsley
5. Fold in steamed and smoked salmon
6. Transfer to a bowl and chill at least 1 hour

How do you eat salmon rillettes?

• Spread on crackers or crostini
• On crunchy vegetables
• Slathered on crusty artisan bread
• Smeared on a bagel
• Spread in sandwiches and wraps
• Stuffed into jumbo pasta shells
• With Champagne!

How to serve salmon rillettes

This salmon spread is one of the best party appetizers! Round out your spread with herbed ricotta cheese dip, spicy tuna tartare and porcini arancini.

Serve the smoked salmon spread with bubbly drinks to balance the richness and make your party extra festive. We love it alongside a champagne cocktail, sparkling elderflower gin cocktail, and grand mariner mimosa! 

How to steam without a steamer basket:

You don’t need a steamer basket to steam fish! Here’s a simple way to set up a “steamer”:

1. Fill a large pot with about 1-inch of water.
2. Roll up 3 to 4 equal-sized balls of aluminum foil and place them in the water.
3. Bring the water a simmer
4. Place the salmon on a small, heat-proof plate and carefully set the plate on the foil balls
5. Cover and steam!

Answers to common questions about making salmon spread: 

Can I use leftover salmon?

Yes, you can use leftover salmon in this recipe! Simply shred up your cooked, leftover salmon and use it in place of the steamed salmon. Easy and delicious.  

What if I don't own a steamer basket?

You can also pan fry, grill or bake the salmon if you prefer! Though see notes above on how to set up a make-shift steamer if you don't own one.

How long can you keep this salmon spread?

Salmon dip will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days.

If cold, bring to room temperature before serving to let the butter soften for a spreadable consistency. 

Can you freeze salmon spread?

While it is safe to freeze this salmon spread, it’s best to just enjoy it within 5 days. Freezing and thawing will give this salmon spread a mushy, not great texture.

more salmon and trout recipes to try!

smoked salmon toast with avocado and pickled fennel

smoked salmon crostini with creme fraiche

smoked trout dip with dill and sour cream

salmon crudo

salmon wellington (salmon en croute)

more delicious spreads and dips:

white bean hummus with spicy seed oil

the best sour cream and onion dip

whipped feta dip with herby cucumber salad

herbed ricotta cheese dip

saffron aioli (and how to make a grand aioli platter)

spicy dried red chile salsa

Watch our holiday party appetizer web story here!

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