Smoked Fish Dip (Florida-Style)
Florida-Style Smoked Fish Dip Recipe – This creamy and flavorful chilled dip is easy to make with a combination of smoked whitefish, tangy cream cheese, pickled peppers, and a kick of hot sauce.
Why We Love This Smoked Fish Dip Recipe
When you hear the title “Smoked Fish Dip”… What do you think of? Some might think of our fabulous Smoked Salmon Dip and/or Smoked Trout Dip. We are adding to the list of tasty seafood dips with this Smoked Whitefish Dip!
That’s right, today we are talking about a smoked white fish dip recipe, made Florida Keys style! While most fish-based dips include cream cheese, what’s unique about this southern staple is that it also includes deliciously tangy and spicy pickled banana peppers and hot sauce. All together the ingredients create a rich, creamy, bold smoked white fish dip that’s simply irresistible!
In fact, if you go to any seafood joint anywhere in southern Florida, especially those that are connected to a fish market, you will most likely find smoked fish dip on the menu. This fish dip is usually served cold with crackers, and is made with smoked whitefish.
What Type of Fish is Whitefish?
Whitefish refers to several species of similar types of fish, all with white flaky flesh, including Cod, Mullet, Halibut, Kingfish, Haddock, and Pollock.
Once smoked, whitefish has a very defined flavor. It’s not heavy and rich like smoked salmon. Instead, it offers a light clean smoke flavor. In fact, those who aren’t fans of smoked salmon and heavier fish varieties still usually love smoked fish dip made with whitefish!
Ingredients You Need
- Smoked whitefish – typically available in the seafood department with other smoked seafood
- Cream cheese – softened
- Mayonnaise – can use low fat
- Onion – diced
- Pickled banana peppers or mild pickled jalapeños (try our easy Quick Pickled Jalapeños recipe!) – drained
- Hot sauce – like Louisiana or your favorite hot sauce brand
- Worcestershire sauce – to enhance the smoky, savory flavor
- Salt and pepper – a dash of each to taste
- Fresh parsley – a pop of freshness for garnish
How to Make Florida-Style Smoked Fish Dip
Set out a large food processor. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced onion, drained banana peppers, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in the food processor.
Cover and purée until smooth.
Gently peel the skin off of the smoked white fish fillets, and discard the skin. Then carefully break the fish into clumps and remove any fine bones you come across. Place the smoked fish clumps into the food processor.
Pulse until the fish dip comes together into a thick spreadable consistency.
Pro Tip: Take care to not over-process, or the dip will turn into more of a paste.
Get the Complete (Printable) Smoked White Fish Dip Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
Taste, then add salt and pepper if needed.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Serving Suggestions
This thick and creamy dip is ideal to serve with crackers or potato chips. I suggest ones that are light in flavor, like saltine crackers, water crackers, and plain chips, to really let the flavors of the dip shine.
Hearty veggies are also great for scoopin’! Try thick-cut carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper, or cucumbers.
You can even use this tantalizing smoked fish dip as a filler for croissant sandwiches, instead of chicken salad or tuna salad. (But hey, if you’re interested, you should know that we have fantastic Southern Berry Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad recipes, too.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, sort of. Smoked whitefish refers to species of fish with firm flaky white flesh including Cod, Haddock, Hale, Tilapia, Snapper, and Pollock. Whiting is a type of white fish, but is specifically a member of the Cod family.
This classic Florida dip recipe includes smoked whitefish, cream cheese, pickled peppers, hot sauce, and a few other key ingredients. Check out the recipe card below for the complete ingredients list and steps!
Want to mix things up? Consider adding lemon juice, old bay seasoning, fresh dill, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika to this easy fish dip. However, we suggest you make it as directed first, before making any adjustments. It’s delicious as-is!
Store the dip in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Looking for More Easy Party Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Smoked Salmon Dip Deviled Eggs
- Easy Crab Rangoon Dip
- Irish Pub Cheese (Beer Cheese Dip)
- Smoked Cheese Dip with Sour Cream
- Hot Cajun Shrimp Dip
Check the printable recipe card below for the prep time, cook time, total time, and nutrition information. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Smoked Fish Dip (Florida-Style)
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked whitefish
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 3 tablespoons pickled banana peppers drained (or mild pickled jalapenos)
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Set out a large food processor. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced onion, drained banana peppers, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in the food processor. Cover and purée until smooth.
- Gently peel the skin off of the smoked white fish fillets, and discard the skin. Then carefully break the fish into clumps and remove any fine bones you come across. Place the smoked fish clumps into the food processor and pulse until the fish dip comes together into a thick spreadable consistency. Taste, then add salt and pepper if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve with crackers or potato chips.