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So quick and easy, this homemade Smoked Tuna Dip is going to be your standby snack this summer! Made with white albacore tuna, cream cheese, liquid smoke, celery, onion, jalapeño and a little Creole seasoning, this simple seafood dip is perfect seaside, lakeside and poolside!

The best smoked tuna dip recipe that anyone can make served in a red bell pepper and dipped with fresh vegetables.

Come June, I’m always looking for light, versatile recipes that give me all the easy living, summery, vacation feels. And I’m telling you, this easy little tuna dip is it!

It all started at the beach. On a whim, we purchased an unassuming tub of smoked fish dip along with a plain ol’ box of saltines from our favorite fresh fish market (mainly because they were out of our favorite crab dip). A couple of pops of hot sauce and a squeeze of lemon later, we were completely smitten with out little find!

Then we noticed smoked tuna dip popping up on all the appetizer menus of our favorite Gulf Coast restaurants. There were variations. Each place had it’s own twist. But one thing was always the same… it was GOOD! And I knew I needed to figure out how to make it.

Want more easy classic tuna recipes? Try Tuna Salad with Apples & Celery and Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole.

Smoked Tuna Dip served with pickles and crackers and topped with capers.

What Is Smoked Tuna Dip

Smoked Tuna Dip is made with smoked tuna, cream cheese and/or mayo and a few simple seasonings. Some recipes (like this one) add finely diced celery and onion for a little texture and extra flavor (eliminate those for a creamy, smoother texture). It tastes a little like a smoky tuna salad.

Smoked fish dips aren’t unusual. We’ve enjoyed savory smoked trout and salmon dips when out west and amazing smoked bluefish dips along the Atlantic coast. Tuna dip is just a variation, and a pretty fantastic one since tuna is something we can all easily get our hands on when we need a little taste of the coast!

Recipe Ingredients & Overview

Smoked Tuna Dip ingredients including store bought tuna, cream cheese and creole seasoning.

I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in these next sections along with helpful tips!

Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.

canned white albacore tuna or tuna in a pouch
cream cheese
real mayonnaise
liquid smoke
Worcestershire sauce
smoked paprika
garlic powder
my all purpose creole seasoning (or Old Bay Seasoning)
lemon juice
celery
jalapeño
green onion
chives, paprika, capers (garnish-optional)

NOTES:

If you have access to fresh tuna and a smoker, you can smoke your own tuna steaks instead of using canned tuna. You can even smoke the cream cheese. See Emeril’s recipe.
But canned white albacore tuna, yellowfin tuna or tuna in pouches is the easiest and most accessible option.
Liquid Smoke can usually be found in your grocery near the BBQ sauces and marinades. This how we’re going to achieve our smoky flavor!
My house creole seasoning recipe has salt and black pepper in it, but you can always add a pinch of each to bump up the dip flavor, if you like.

How to Make Easy Smoked Tuna Dip

How to make smoked tuna dip by first mixing together the cream cheese, mayo and spices and then folding in the tuna.

Make the Base. Whisk together cream cheese, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, lemon juice and seasonings. Add in celery, green onion, jalapeño and mix well.

Fold in the Tuna. Gently fold in the tuna, maintaining the texture of the tuna as much as possible. Top with garnishes and serve!

Pro Tips

This dip can be served immediately at room temperature or after chilling for 30 minutes to an hour. The chilling time gives the flavors a chance to meld and the cream cheese to become firm again.
If serving outdoors, place dip bowl in a tray of ice to keep it chilled and fresh. It’s not the fish we have to worry about as much as the cream cheese and mayo. Here are 2 options we like:
- chilled dip bowls (best if serving with crostinis, naan or crackers)
- chilled dip and veggie tray with compartments

How to serve and what to serve with smoked tuna dip, including fresh vegetables and crackers.

What To Eat With Smoked Tuna Dip

We love to scoop up Smoked Tuna Dip with just about anything! Our favorite summer dippers are the all the sun-ripened fresh vegetables that are available:

sliced cucumbers
carrot and celery sticks
sliced bell pepper (I love the sweetness of red and orange bell peppers.)
green onions
cherry tomatoes
sliced radishes
lightly blanched green beans or asparagus

The traditional choice for dipping, of course, is saltine crackers, but you also can’t go wrong with buttery crackers, wheat crackers or pita crackers either. Crostinis are 100% delish with tuna dip, and warm naan bread is magical!

For a super easy, low-cook summer dinner:

invite over a few friends
create a pretty crudité platter (don’t forget to add some pickles).
Add this homemade tuna dip,
a bowl of Cucumber Benedictine spread,
a little Jalapeño Pimento cheese,
thick slices of buttery garlic bread
crackers
a bottle of your favorite hot sauce
and a pile of Louisiana Peel and Eat Shrimp.
Wash it down with a tall glass of well garnished Mint Lemonade, and you’ve just experienced the perfect southern summer night!

As an appetizer, snack or light lunch, tuna dip served with sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks for dipping.

Storing, Making Ahead & Freezing

Store leftover tuna dip for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Make this dip one day ahead for easy hosting or trips to the lake or beach.
I don’t recommend freezing smoked tuna dip. I don’t think it’s the same after thawing out.

More Delicious Dips To Love