My Salmon Dip is an appetiser recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat because it is that simple and that delicious! This dip comes together in under ten minutes and delivers big flavours every single time. Trust me, this dip disappears fast - don’t be surprised if guests start asking for the recipe before the bowl is empty!

Recipe Overview: Salmon Dip
- ✅ Recipe Name: Canned Salmon Dip
- 🕐 Ready In: 5-10 minutes
- 🧑🧑🧒 Serves: 6 people
- 💕 Perfect For: Easter, Christmas, Game day, Potluck
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Canned Salmon, mayonnaise, onions.
- 📖 Flavor Profile: Creamy, savoury, fresh & vibrant
- 😊 Difficulty: Very easy - great for beginners
- 💡 Quick Tip: Cut your onions very finely for maximum taste!
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Salmon is a staple in our household and is one of the few fish that my kids eat. While there are times I can cook salmon fillets like for my Red Salmon Curry, there are other times that I absolutely need to take a shortcut. Whether it be canned salmon for this appetizer or hot smoked salmon for my Hot Smoked Salmon Salad, salmon is such a versatile fish that we eat on the regular.
It's no secret that I also love a quick and easy recipe, and that includes easy appetisers for a crowd! Time and time again, I go to my Pork Sausage Rolls or my Goat Cheese and Mushroom Tarts for a crowd pleasing appetiser. But nothing beats this tried and true canned salmon dip recipe that's been in the family for over 20 years!
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Ready in Under 10 Minutes - this is a recipe for busy people! So quick and easy to make.
- Pantry Staples - This recipe uses pantry staples. Canned salmon is readily available to get from regular supermarkets.
- Four Ingredients - that's it! Nothing fancy, but doesn't compromise on flavour.
- Cost Effective - One can of pink salmon is just $5.50 (AUD) at our local supermarkets.
- Make Ahead - this is a great recipe to make ahead and is easily transportable if you're taking it to another person's house for a party.
This is a tried-and-true recipe - one of those appetisers that is demolished in minutes!
🐟 Cooking for an Easter Good Friday Seafood Feast? Try my Canned Salmon Burgers, Rose Wine Mussels or Fish & Prawn Risotto 🐟
What Readers are Saying
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It's just delicious - I can't stop eating it!
- Lu Ann
Key Ingredients

Canned Salmon- you will need a large (4.75oz/400g) can of pink or red salmon for this recipe.
Parsley - I use flat leaf parsley. Like the onions you want this really finely chopped.
Mayonnaise - As this is the main ingredient in this recipe, you must use good quality mayonnaise. I prefer the taste of whole egg mayo.
Substitutions & Variations
- ➡️ Lighten up the dip and sub half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt.
- ➡️ Add dill for added freshness - dill pairs beautifully with salmon.
- ➡️ Add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zest and tart!
Salmon Dip Step by Step Instructions

- Drain the canned salmon and mash it in a large bowl. There is no need to throw out the bones, they are soft and can be mashed up too.

- Finely dice your parsley, green onion (spring onion) and red onion and place into the bowl with the salmon.

- Add the mayonnaise and combine until creamy. Add salt and pepper. Adjust the mayo, salt and pepper to your taste.

- Serve in a small bowl with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Expert Tip 👩🍳
The key to getting this recipe right is to cut the onions really finely. Even though there are raw onions in this, the flavour profile isn't strong at all if the onions are cut finely enough. No one wants to bite into big chunks of onion!
FAQs
The simple reason is convenience! Canned salmon is a very cost effective, coming in at around $4.50 for a large can. It tastes just as delicious too.
Water crackers, Turkish bread, mini toast, fresh vegetables or baguette are the perfect things to serve with a salmon dip.
This is a cold dish - warming up the dip would change the taste and texture.
You can use both canned pink and canned red salmon for this dip. They both work well with varying flavours. Red salmon brings a more robust flavour, whereas pink salmon is milder in flavour. I found that pink salmon is easier to find in the supermarket than red salmon.
This dip is perfect to make ahead of time, as it stores well in a container. Cut up the onion and parsley, and keep these in a separate bowl. Then mix everything else just before serving for maximum freshness.

If you tried this Salmon Dip or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went. I love hearing from you!
Other Suggested Salmon Recipes
📖 Recipe
Five Minute Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 14.75 oz canned pink salmon
- 3 green onions/spring onions finely sliced
- 2 oz red onion very, very finely diced
- ¼ cup parsley very finely chopped
- ¼ cup whole egg mayonnaise Increase to ⅓ of a cup if required.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Drain salmon and place in a large bowl (bones and all). Mash with a fork until large chunks of meat and bone have been broken up.
- Add sliced spring onions, diced red onion and chopped parsley. Mix together well.
- Add mayonnaise, and salt and pepper.
- Stir until well combined, adjust salt, pepper and mayo to taste.
- Serve with your favourite crackers, fresh vegetable or bageutte.









Lu Ann says
I just made this for card club tonight and I added just about a tsp of fresh lime juice and it is delicious - I can’t stop eating it!
Georgie says
Yum!! Sounds delicious glad you loved it!
Sarah April says
I did half the recipe- 7 4 oz of cooked salmon but 1/3 cup of mayo seems like a little amount for 14.75 oz of salmon and cutting that in half seems like not enough for 7.4oz?? Is that amount accurate or is canned salmon wetter than cooked salmon?
Georgie says
Hey Sarah, thank you for the feedback! Cooked salmon is definitely drier than canned salmon. Canned salmon contains a lot of oil and the brine which makes it a little moist, so if you used cooked salmon you would have lost that. I'd suggest using more mayonnaise if you were using cooked salmon. Hope that helps 🙂
Lisa Bynum says
I actually have a can of salmon in my pantry right now. It has been in there for months. I need to make this and get it out of the pantry!
Georgie says
having canned salmon in the pantry is a must for me! this dip is honestly so tasty, and you won't believe it's made with can fish!
Lisa Huff says
So easy! Love easy dips and appetizers!
Georgie says
it is the easiest dip i know how to make! love quick recipes too!
Kushi says
5 minute? Count me in. Looks so yummy and thanks for the tips
Georgie says
you definitely can't go wrong with a 5 minute meal!
Susie says
This looks like the perfect Easter appetizer! Thanks for the great recipe.
Georgie says
thanks Susie 🙂 it is a staple for entertaining in our family!
Janette | Culinary Ginger says
I never think of making a dip with salmon, this is delicious and great tips too.
Georgie says
thanks Janette! it's SO easy and so delicious, family favourite!