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    You Are Here Home » Appetizer Recipes

    Published: Nov 26, 2022 Updated: Nov 26, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Smoked Cream Cheese (2 Ways)

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    smoked cream cheese pin

    This smoked cream cheese recipe will blow you away! It's creamy, smoky, sweet, and garlicky. The flavors can be elevated even more when topped with cranberry jalapeño dip, huckleberry jam, or pineapple chutney.

    smoked cream cheese with pita chips around it and cranberry dip over it

    Who knew smoking cream cheese for a few hours could make such an amazing and delicious appetizer? The sweetness from the honey, the spice from the jalapeno peppers, and the creaminess of the cream cheese will have you coming back for another taste and craving for more!

    But if you want to take an even simpler route, I'll share a few other seasoning ideas. All you'll have to do is score the cheese, sprinkle it with the seasoning, then let the smoker do its magic!

    Jump to:
    • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
    • 🔖 Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions
    • 🔪Tools Required
    • 🧀 How to Smoke Cream Cheese
    • 🍯 Serving Suggestions
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 🍽 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🧐 Why This Recipe Works

    • Smoking cream cheese is so simple, anyone can do it! The prep time literally takes a few minutes. The total smoking time is anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on the temperature of the smoker.
    • You can prepare smoked cream cheese ahead of time and reheat it in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds just prior to serving it.
    • Cream cheese can be seasoned with almost anything. Whether you stick closely to my recipe or come up with other variations, I guarantee one thing, you will love it!
    • Choose which way to serve the smoked cheese, with a spicy sauce, a sweet sauce, or a sauce that's both sweet and spicy.

    🛒 What You Need For This Recipe

    smoked cream cheese ingredients

    🔖 Recipe Ingredients And Substitutions

    • Cream Cheese: Traeger smoked cream cheese is better when you use full-fat cream cheese, as opposed to low-fat cream cheese. It has a creamier texture and melts much better.
    • Herbs: I decided to add fresh rosemary however you can also try other herbs like thyme or mint.
    • Serrano Pepper: Substitute with jalapeno pepper, habanero, or a milder chile.
    • Garlic: As always, use fresh garlic, not bottled!
    • Rub (optional): If you want to keep it simple, just use your favorite rub instead.

    🔪Tools Required

    • Sharp knife
    • Disposable aluminum pan, cast iron skillet, or aluminum foil
    • Pellet grill
    • Woods chips or pellets

    🧀 How to Smoke Cream Cheese

    Preheat smoker to 185°F — 200°F

    Step 1: Mince Serrano pepper, garlic clove, and fresh rosemary. Add to a small bowl along with honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Whisk to combine.

    Step 2: Place cream cheese block onto a foil-lined pan for easy cleanup or use a disposable pan. Use a sharp knife to score the cream cheese ½" deep with cross-hatch marks. Drizzle with honey-seasoning mixture.

    Pro Tip: If you have a small rack to place under the cream cheese, even better! This will allow the bottom of the cheese to get nice and smokey too!

    Step 3: Place the pan with the cream cheese on the grate and smoke, using super smoke if available, for 2 to 2 ½ hours until the cheese is smokey and begins to puff out as the cross hatches expand.

    Serve with crackers or pita chips and cranberry jalapeño dip. It's a match made in heaven!

    Seasoned Smoked Cream Cheese (second option)

    After scoring the cream cheese, sprinkle generously with your favorite rub or seasoning instead of adding the honey mixture. I used my pulled pork rub, but next time I might try my Santa Maria Seasoning. Smoke for 2-3 hours at 185-200 degrees F.

    🍯 Serving Suggestions

    Serve smoked cream cheese with pita chips, crackers, sliced baguette, or tortilla chips. For a healthier option, you can serve smoked cream cheese with sliced celery, carrots, or even apple slices.

    smoked cream cheese topped with Serrano slices, and crackers

    Other Seasoning Ideas

    • Use your favorite bbq rub, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning, or Tajin seasoning.
    • Everything bagel seasoning, Traeger anything rub, or Santa Maria rub.
    • If savory isn't your jam, try adding honey, brown sugar, or cinnamon sugar. To serve, top with pear apple preserves or your favorite jam.

    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    Can you smoke cream cheese at 275?

    Yes, you can smoke cream cheese at 275F. Smoking cream cheese at a higher temperature will speed up the smoking time, however, I prefer to smoke it at a lower temperature for 2-2 ½ hours to expose the cheese to even more smoke (super smoke on a Traeger) which is only available when smoking at 200 degrees or less.

    How long does smoked cream cheese last?

    Smoked cream cheese can last up to a week in the refrigerator when stored in an air-tight container, as long as there is no cross-contamination.

    Does smoked cream cheese need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, you should refrigerate smoked cheese to avoid spoilage.

    How long does it take for cream cheese to melt?

    It depends on the method you use. The easiest way to melt cheese is in the microwave. It should take between 30-45 seconds, depending on the wattage of your microwave. Start with smaller increments and add more time as needed. Just be sure to cover the cream cheese with a napkin to avoid a mess in case it splatters.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

    • If the block of cream cheese is colder, it will be easier to score.
    • Try adding crumbled bacon over the smoked cheese before smoking it, yummy!
    • Store leftovers (yeah right, what leftovers?) in an air-tight container and eat within a week.
    • Try smoking other cheeses too like cheddar cheese or mozzarella. The softer the cheese the shorter the smoking time.
    • Not sure what flavor wood chips to use? Try hickory, cherry, apple, or oak!
    smoked cream cheese with cranberry relish on a white plate

    🍽 Related Recipes

    • Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
    • 15-Minute Smoked Pizza
    • Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
    • Smoked Corn On The Cob

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, 4294 TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    smoked cream cheese topped with cranberry relish and pita chips

    Smoked Cream Cheese (2 Ways)

    A super simple way to elevate cream cheese and serve it as an impressive appetizer!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Smoke Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 225kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Equipment

    • 1 Pellet Smoker
    • skillet or aluminum pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 8 ounce cream cheese
    • 2 tsps honey
    • 2 tsps olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (minced)
    • 1 medium serrano (minced)
    • 1 pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    Preheat Smoker To 185°F— 200°F

    • Mince Serrano pepper, garlic clove, and fresh rosemary. Add to a small bowl along with honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Whisk to combine.
    • Place cream cheese block onto a foil-lined pan for easy cleanup or use a disposable pan. Use a sharp knife to score the cream cheese ½" deep with cross-hatch marks. Drizzle with honey-seasoning mixture.
    •  Place the pan with the cream cheese on the grate and smoke, using super smoke if available, for 2 to 2½ hours until the cheese is smokey and begins to puff out as the cross hatches expand.
    • Serve with crackers or pita chips and cranberry jalapeño dip. It's a match made in heaven!

    Notes

    • If the block of cream cheese is colder, it will be easier to score.
    • If you have a small rack to place under the cream cheese, use it. This will allow the bottom of the cheese to get nice and smokey too!
    • Try adding crumbled bacon over the smoked cheese before smoking it, yummy!
    • Store leftovers (yeah right, what leftovers?) in an air-tight container and eat within a week.
    • Try smoking other cheeses too like cheddar cheese or mozzarella. The softer the cheese the shorter the smoking time.
    • Not sure what flavor wood chips to use? Try hickory, cherry, apple, or oak!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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