Smoked cream cheese is the easiest and BEST appetizer out there. If you haven't smoked cream cheese yet, you are in for an absolute treat with this dish!
Why Smoked Cream Cheese has gone viral
You don't often come across a recipe that goes viral overnight that only requires two main ingredients and can be prepped in less than 5 minutes, but smoked cream cheese is definitely the exception. Need some more cream cheese recipes? Checkout these tasty Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers .
Ever since I saw smoked cream cheese on social media a few summers ago I have been making it for just about every tailgate and cookout. Along the way Ive picked up a few tips and tricks that will take your smoked cream cheese over the top.
The cream cheese is a blank canvas that you can season with sweet or savory flavors and serve with just about anything you can imagine. Sweet desert versions served with cookies and apples for dipping or savory versions serve with pork rinds, crackers and veggies. It's the perfect appetizer to feed a crowd and let your creativity run wild.
Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe ingredients
- Cream Cheese: For this recipe, you will need 8 oz of Cream Cheese (1 entire block). You can use full-fat cream cheese or low-fat cream cheese to make this recipe, and you don't have to buy the Philidelphia cream cheese; the store brand works just fine.
- Avocado Oil: Because I freeze the cream cheese before smoking, I use a drizzle of oil to help the rub stick to the cream cheese
- Rub: To get all that great flavor, you will need 1 tbsp of your favorite Rub.
Additional Ingredients (that I highly recommend)
- 1 loaf Toasted Baguette or Crackers
- Apple Slices
- Tortilla Chips
- Pork Rinds
- 1 tbsp Honey
- Grilled Peaches
Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe variations
Spice it up ... literally! I love this recipe because you can always change it up.
Next time you make this recipe, consider the following variations:
- Jams and fruits
- Taco Seasoning
- bagel seasoning
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Crisp
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Pepper Jelly
- Add jalapenos
- Add bacon crumbles
- Consider BBQ sauce with bacon
- Drizzle olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and herbs and spices
How to Smoke Cream Cheese
- Freeze the cream cheese. Start off by placing your cream cheese in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once chilled, score the top of the block of cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern using a sharp knife, then season with your favorite bbq rub.
- Smoke the cream cheese. Once chilled and rubbed, place the block of cream cheese on a piece of foil or a cast iron skillet and smoke at 200 degrees F. for about 90 minutes. (you can also use a disposable foil pan)
- Let cool. Once the cream cheese has been smoked, let it cool for about 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate.
- Serve and Enjoy! Drizzle with honey and serve with fresh fruits, like grilled peaches and toasted baguette or whatever crackers and veggies you have on hand.
How to set up the grill for Smoking Cream Cheese
Grill and/or smoker setup should be on the lowest temp. My pellet grill was set to 200 degrees F.
For this recipe, I used a pellet smoker, and it was great!
I used Kingsford Classic blend wood pellets and they provided a nice balanced flavor. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure to cook the cream cheese at a very low temperature for about 30-40 minutes.
You can use wood chips like apple wood if you are cooking with fire.
If you are looking for something more fruity profile with a great smokey flavor, I recommend using cherry or applewood pellets.
If you are looking for something milder and less smokey, I recommend using hickory.
What to serve with Smoked Cream Cheese Dip
Something I love about this recipe is how versatile it is. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this smoked cream cheese recipe has a place on the table.
Eat with:
- Crackers
- Bagel Chips
- Crostini
- Chopped Vegetables like carrots, peppers and celery.
Spread it on:
- Sandwiches
- Bagels
Storing leftover Smoked Cream Cheese
Provided you and/or your friends and family don't devour this immediately, you can store the leftovers for later.
Place your smoked cream cheese in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Pro-Tip: Do not freeze your cheese. It will change/ruin the consistency and flavor.
How to Smoke Cream Cheese FAQs
There are different emulsifiers like Xanthan gum that help form and hold the shape of cream cheese. As the cream cheese smokes at a low temperature it forms a crust with the seasoning that also helps hold its shape and preen it from melting.
Well provably because it's delicious and it's super easy to make. How many recipes have 2-3 ingredients and only take 5 minutes to prep. Its a perfect appetizer for the holidays as well as tailgates and backyard cookouts.
Hickory blends are always my favorite pellets for smoking. I like that balanced smoky flavor that dent overpower the main ingredients. You can use fruitwood pellets like cherry, apple pr peach as well for a subtle nuanced flavor.
If you are looking for more cream cheese dip recipes, check out my Bang Bang Shrimp Dip, Maryland Crab Dip or Muffeletta Dip
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Smoking Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream Cheese 1 block
- 1 tbsp Honey Rub
Additional Ingredients
- 1 loaf Toasted Baguette or Crackers
- 1 tbsp Honey
- Grilled Peaches
Instructions
- Place cream cheese in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once chilled score the top of the block of cream cheese in a cross hatch pattern then season o all sides with honey rub.
- Place the block of cream cheese on a wire rack wrapped with foil then smoke at 200 degrees F. for about 90 minutes.
- Oce the cream cheese is smoked let cool for about 10 minutes before transfering to a serving plate. Drizzle with honey and serve with fresh fruits (grilled peaches) and toasted baguette
Lisa Thomas
So good! Made this for a get together with friends last night and everyone was blown away! We all couldn’t stop eating it. Great recipe and loved the suggestions on how to make it different on the future as well. Will definitely be back to make this again and again!
Culinary Lion
that's fantastic!! thank you so much for sharing!!
Dean Bauer
There is no note on what honey rub is
Frank Campanella
It's just a specific rub that I like to use that has honey granules in it. You can use any bbq dry rub you prefer in the recipe
Molly Thomas
Holy smokes, literally! Cream cheese is one of my favorites and this is by far the best way I’ve ever had it. I used the little bit of leftovers on an everything bagel for my breakfast and woah. 11/10 recommend!
Rob Voelker
Are you talking about the Butcher's BBQ honey rub? I have a big 5 lb bag of it. It is so good!