Looking for a quick and easy smoked appetizer to serve at your next cookout or party? Look no further than this smoked cream cheese! This flavorful cheese spread is perfect for any occasion, and it’s super easy to make. Find the perfect version to suit your tastes with our 5 recipe alternatives. Give this smoked cream cheese appetizer a try. You’ll be pleased!
Yes, we jumped at the chance to try out this trending TikTok smoked cream cheese, and while we were initially skeptical, it was delicious! Try this delicious recipe if you need an easy, budget-friendly appetizer for your next cookout. Don’t worry; this cream cheese isn’t over-the-top smoky. We were able to strike the perfect balance of smoke flavor and creamy goodness in just 90 minutes. It is super easy to make on a pellet grill!
What does smoked cream cheese taste like?
It’s slightly smoky, with a deliciously creamy, cheesy flavor. Our smoked cream cheese will have a more traditional BBQ flavor using a standard BBQ rub (spices with brown sugar). However, the flavor might vary based on what rub you use. Skip below for more seasoning ideas.
What you’ll need:
- One 9″ x 9″ disposable aluminum pan (or a cast iron skillet)
- An 8 ounce package of cream cheese, full fat
- 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons barbecue rub
This recipe is typically seasoned with dry ranch dressing seasoning or dry onion soup mix. You can go that route, but we wanted a more BBQ flavor profile. We used our popular Kansas City Rub for this recipe. Trust us when we say you’ll want to make up a good amount of this rub to keep on hand. It’s one of our favorites for ribs and low and slow pork shoulder.
How to make smoked cream cheese:
- Gather your ingredients. We recommend using regular, full-fat cream cheese, and cannot comment on how well low-fat, whipped, or light versions will turn out. Lighter versions will release water as they cook, which could interfere with the smoking process.
- Next up is the rub. Use your favorite bottled sweet rub or use one of our rub recipes. We suggest using a disposable aluminum pan to make serving and clean-up a breeze. You can also use doubled up sheets of aluminum foil.
Grill set-up:
Prepare your grill or smoker for 225 degrees F. We used a pellet smoker for this recipe, and it worked beautifully. However, you can use any type of smoker for this recipe. If you want to add wood chips, we recommend maple, cherry, alder, or oak. For a more robust flavor, use hickory or mesquite wood or a mixture of milder and heavier wood flavors.
Apply the Rub:
- Carefully remove the block of cream cheese from the foil packets and place it directly into the aluminum pan.
- You can leave the surface of the cream cheese smooth or make 1/8″ crosshatch marks on top.
- Brush it with a neutral-flavored oil and sprinkle with 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of barbecue rub. We don’t recommend olive oil unless it matches your flavor profile.
- Season the top and sides of the cream cheese block or just the top if preferred.
Into the Smoker
Place the entire pan with seasoned cream cheese into the smoker. Close the lid and let it cook for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Keep a close eye on the temperature gauge, as it can fluctuate. You don’t want it hotter than 225 degrees. A cooking temperature between 210-225 degrees is optimal for this recipe.
Smoke time and doneness:
Check on your smoked cream cheese after 90 minutes. You’ll notice the crosshatch marks opening on the top of the cream cheese. If you gently nudge the pan, the cream cheese will jiggle. This is the perfect consistency! The cream cheese will turn a deep orange color from the BBQ rub. Once it looks this way, it is done. Time to serve it up!
Serving:
- Remove the smoked cream cheese from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes. It will be hot, so keep this in mind before digging in.
- Serve this smoked dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, bagel chips, sliced baguette, pretzels, or chopped vegetables like carrots, celery, or jicama.
- Use it as a bagel or sandwich spread. It’s great on tacos! This smoky cream cheese is so versatile and incredibly delicious.
Storing Leftovers:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze. Smoked cream cheese dip is delicious warm or cold, so enjoy it as an anytime snack!
Smoked cream cheese recipe variations:
- BBQ Style: Top with warmed barbecue sauce, crispy fried onions, and chopped cooked bacon before serving.
- Try it with Everything Bagel Seasoning! It’s fantastic
- Tex-Mex: Make your cream cheese pop by adding cooked fajita veggies, beans, pico de gallo, or your favorite salsa after it comes off the smoker.
- Sweet and Spicy: Spoon warmed pepper jelly onto your cream cheese before serving. Delicious!
- Buffalo: Season with your favorite BBQ rub, and after 75 minutes of cooking, drizzle with your favorite spicy buffalo wing sauce. Return the cream cheese to the smoker and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Smoked Cream Cheese the Oven Method:
Yes! You read that right! You can make this recipe right in the oven.
- Heat your oven to 210 degrees F.
- Use a 9″ X 9 ” pan and a 12″ piece of aluminum foil to contain the cream cheese.
- Score your cream cheese (as shown in our video), then brush with oil and season with one of your favorite savory BBQ rubs or seasoning blends.
- Create a boat-like structure around the cream cheese with the foil. Do not cover the cream cheese; you are just trying to contain it.
- Bake in your oven for 1 hour. After that time, check on your cream cheese. If it is soft and the rub has baked nicely, your oven-cooked smoked cream cheese is done. If it is still solid, let it cook for another 30 minutes.
- Remove your cream cheese and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers, covered tightly in the fridge.
- Like this recipe? Try our Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert
Smoked Cream Cheese (5 Ways)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese full fat
- 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons Kansas City Rub or your favorite bottled sweet rub
- 1 disposable aluminum pan 9″ x 9″
Instructions
- Prepare your grill or smoker for 200 degrees F. Use your favorite pellet or add wood chips or chunks of choice.
- Place unwrapped cream cheese into the pan, and season with BBQ rub.
- Place the pan with cream cheese into the smoker, close the lid and let it go for 2 hours. If you'd like it a little smokier, let it go an extra half an hour.
- Once the cream cheese has a golden color and has cracked at the top, it is done.
- Remove from the grill, let stand for 10 minutes and dig in.
- Smoked Cream Cheese the Oven Method:Heat your oven to 210 degrees F.Use a 9" X 9 " pan and a 12" piece of aluminum foil to contain the cream cheese. Score your cream cheese (as shown in our video), then brush with oil and season with your favorite rub or seasonings of choice.Create a boat-like structure around the cream cheese with the foil. Do not cover the cream cheese; you are just trying to contain it.Place it into your oven for 1 hour. After that time, check on your cream cheese. If it is soft and the rub has baked in nicely, your oven-cooked smoked cream cheese is done. If it is still solid, let it cook for another 30 minutes. Remove your cream cheese and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.Yes! You read that right! You can make smoked cream cheese right in the oven.
- *See notes section for recipe variations.
Notes
- BBQ Style: Top with warmed barbecue sauce, crispy fried onions, and chopped cooked bacon before serving.
- Try it with Everything Bagel Seasoning! It’s fantastic
- Tex-Mex: Make your cream cheese pop by adding cooked fajita veggies, beans, pico de gallo, or your favorite salsa after it comes off the smoker.
- Sweet and Spicy: Spoon some warmed pepper jelly onto your cream cheese right before serving. Delicious!
- Buffalo: Season with your favorite BBQ rub and after 75 minutes of cooking, drizzle with your favorite spicy buffalo wing sauce. Return the cream cheese back to the smoker and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
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One response to “Smoked Cream Cheese (5 ways)”
I love this with smoked salmon served on toast points with onion & capers and a sprinkle of fresh chopped dill weed.