Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Mar. 31, 2025
These Smoked Salmon Pinwheels are the ultimate party appetizer or a tasty lunch! Creamy lemon dill spread meets smoky, savory salmon for a fresh, flavorful dish. Bonus: You can make them in advance.
In This Article
- Video: watch us make this Recipe
- Is Smoked Salmon Healthy?
- Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions And Variations
- Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- How To Prep Ahead
- What To Serve With Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
- Commonly Asked Questions
- Did you make this?
- Smoked Salmon Pinwheels Recipe
- More to Cook And Eat
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Video: watch us make this Recipe
Is Smoked Salmon Healthy?
Smoked salmon is nutrient-rich and is packed with high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and selenium.
Plus, it’s relatively low in calories too. Smoked salmon is generally higher in sodium so, like all things, enjoy it in moderation if you’re watching salt content.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love easy, no-fuss appetizers that are not only delicious but also versatile. These Smoked Salmon Pinwheels are just that! Here’s why this recipe is a winner:
- Easy and Elegant: These pinwheels come together in minutes but look impressive enough for parties, brunches, and showers, like our Cranberry Brie Bites.
- Creamy, Lemony Goodness: The lemon-dill cream cheese is light, tangy, and ultra-refreshing. It reminds us of our Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon.
- Packed with Flavor: Every bite is a delicious balance of smoky, creamy, and savory with a fresh pop of dill and lemon zest.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – The cream cheese is the base of our pinwheels, giving them a rich and creamy texture. Make sure to use a good quality, full-fat cream cheese for the best results.
- Smoked Salmon – We use high-quality smoked salmon for its delicious, salty flavor.
- Fresh Dill – Dill is a classic herb that pairs beautifully with smoked salmon. It adds a fresh, herby flavor that complements the richness of the cream cheese and the saltiness of the salmon.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Tortillas: You can use whole wheat or gluten-free wraps instead of regular tortillas.
- Meat: Try adding or substituting with smoked turkey, prosciutto, or thinly sliced roast beef for a different flavor combination.
- Dill: Feel free to swap dill for chopped chives, basil, or parsley.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, dill, salt, and pepper until well combined. Then lay the tortillas flat and spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture over each.
- Arrange a single layer of spinach leaves on top, followed by a layer of smoked salmon.
- Carefully roll each tortilla up tightly, then wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to serve, unwrap the rolls, trim the ends, and slice them into 1½-inch pinwheels. Serve immediately.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead tips for this recipe:
- Make Spread Ahead of Time: Prepare the lemon-dill cream cheese mixture up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it soften slightly before spreading.
- Assemble and Chill: You can make them entirely ahead of time and chill. Simply roll up the tortillas with the filling, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
What To Serve With Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Vegetables
- An Easy Chopped Greek Salad or Broccoli Apple Salad can be a refreshing, crunchy addition alongside these pinwheels.
- If you want to add some extra veggies into the mix, consider serving them with some carrot and celery sticks on the side.
Brunch Spread
- Pair these Smoked Salmon Pinwheels alongside some Homemade Bagels, Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins, and some fresh fruit for a tasty brunch spread.
- For a more savory take, serve it alongside cheese, crackers, olives, and your favorite vegetables.
Other Appetizers
- We love serving them alongside other easy party appetizers like some Easy Crostini or these Brie and Fig Crostini.
- You also can’t go wrong with some Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon on the side of these Salmon Pinwheels.
Commonly Asked Questions
How do I prevent the tortillas from getting soggy?
Make sure the spinach leaves are completely dry before layering them. They will add a thin layer and work as a barrier between the cream cheese and tortillas to prevent it from getting soggy.
What’s the best way to slice pinwheels cleanly?
Chilling the pinwheels before slicing them will give you beautifully clean pinwheels that are ready for a holiday or gathering.
How far in advance can I make these pinwheels?
You can make these pinwheels up to 24 hours in advance. Simply wrap the rolled tortillas in cling wrap and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, just slice them into pinwheels and they’ll be good to go.
How long do smoked salmon pinwheels keep?
These smoked salmon pinwheels can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, for the best freshness and texture, we recommend having them within 24 hours of making.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
These Smoked Salmon Pinwheels are the perfect party appetizer that can be made ahead of time. They're great for lunch outside-the-box, too! The creamy lemon dill spread is amazing.
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese, 8oz, softened
- 1 lemon, for fresh lemon juice and zest
- 2 TB fresh dill leaves
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves, be sure they’re not damp
- 16 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon
- 4-6 flour tortillas, actual amount depends on size of
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together the cream cheese, lemon juice/zest, dill, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine well.
- Lay tortillas down flat on individual squares of cling wrap. Evenly spread desired amount of lemon cream cheese mixture onto the tortillas, leaving 1/2 inch edges.
- Line with a single layer of spinach leaves, followed by a single layer of smoked salmon.
- Gently but firmly roll tortillas up. Wrap in cling wrap airtight, and chill until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, remove from cling wrap, place on cutting board, and trim off end pieces. Slice each roll into 1 1/2 inch pinwheels and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make this gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free wraps.
- Use regular flour or whole wheat flour tortillas, or your favorite style of tortillas.
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing it with other ingredients. This will help you achieve a smooth and creamy texture for your filling.
- When zesting your lemon, make sure to only take off the outer layer of the skin. The white pith underneath can be bitter, so you want to avoid grating it.
- Pat dry your baby spinach leaves before assembly. Damp leaves can make your tortillas soggy.
- Chilling your pinwheels after assembly helps them hold their shape and allows the flavors to meld together.
- This recipe is part of our Lunch Recipes Collection.
- We love serving these pinwheels alongside other easy party appetizers like this Easy Crostini Recipe.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 1153mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1038IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 2mg
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