🐟 Key West Smoked Fish Dip – A True Dockside Favorite

If you’ve ever wandered down the docks in Key West around sunset, you’ve probably seen fishermen cleaning their catch, tossing scraps to waiting pelicans, and chatting with neighbors over a cold beer. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get invited to share a bite of one of the island’s most beloved snacks: 

smoked fish dip.

Unlike the fancy dishes you’ll find in tourist restaurants, this is dock-to-dish food — humble, smoky, creamy, and always best shared with friends. Every seafood shack and local bar has its own spin: some spicy, some tangy, some chunky, some smooth. But the essentials remain the same: fresh local fish (kingfish, wahoo, mahi, or amberjack), smoked until tender, then folded into a creamy base with just enough kick to keep you reaching for more crackers.

Here’s how you can bring a taste of Key West straight into your kitchen.

🌴 Ingredients (Serves 6–8 as an appetizer)

• 1 lb smoked fish (kingfish, mahi, amberjack, or any firm white fish — skin and bones removed)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (plus wedges for serving)
• 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp finely diced celery
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp prepared horseradish
• 1 tsp hot sauce (Crystal, Tabasco, or local favorite)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (or your favorite seafood spice blend)
• Salt & pepper to taste

🥣 Instructions

1. Flake the fish: Using a fork, break the smoked fish into small chunks. Remove any stray bones.
2. Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Add flavor: Stir in lime juice, onion, celery, parsley, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and Old Bay. Mix well.
4. Fold in fish: Gently add the flaked smoked fish, mixing until just combined. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra hot sauce.
5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
6. Serve: Scoop into a rustic bowl and serve with crackers, pita chips, or sliced veggies. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley and a squeeze of lime.

🌊 Serving Notes

• Locals love this with saltine crackers and a cold beer.
• For a true Keys experience, add a splash of rum or key lime zest to the dip.

“When you visit Key West, you’ll find Key Lime Pie on every menu — but ask a local what they’re really snacking on at the dock, and chances are they’ll hand you a cracker piled high with smoked fish dip. This recipe is my way of bottling that island sunset moment and sharing it with you, no fishing boat required.”