Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe

This easy smoked cream cheese appetizer is perfect for holiday parties, summer BBQs, game day spreads, or anytime you already have the pellet grill fired up. Serve it next to other easy appetizers like Smoked Queso, Chili Cheese Dip, Rotel Dip, Artichoke Dip, or Crab and Artichoke Dip.

What Does Smoked Cream Cheese Taste Like?

Smoked cream cheese is warm, creamy, lightly smoky, and full of flavor from the seasoning rub. The outside firms up slightly while the inside stays soft and spreadable, making it perfect for scooping with crackers, chips, bread, or vegetables.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy dip recipe. The key is using a block of cream cheese and a flavorful dry seasoning rub.

• Block of cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese works best because it softens smoothly and holds its shape in the smoker. Philadelphia cream cheese is my go-to, but any block-style cream cheese works. Neufchatel can also be used, but low-fat cream cheese may not melt as smoothly.
• Dry seasoning rub: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade seasoning blend. Start with 1 tablespoon and use up to 2 tablespoons depending on your personal preferences and how bold or salty the seasoning blend is.
• Olive oil: A light coating helps the seasoning stick. You can skip it and gently press the seasoning into the cream cheese instead.

Pro Tip: Score the top of the cream cheese block in a crosshatch pattern before seasoning. This helps the smoke flavor and seasoning settle into the cream cheese while creating the classic smoked cream cheese presentation.

Best Seasonings for Smoked Cream Cheese

Almost any bold seasoning blend works with smoked cream cheese. Watch the sodium level of your rub, especially if you plan to serve it with salty chips or crackers.

• Steak rub
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Blackening seasoning
• Jamaican jerk seasoning
• BBQ rub
• Santa Maria seasoning
• Chicken taco seasoning
• Dry ranch seasoning mix
• Truffled salt

Best Dippers for Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked cream cheese is rich and creamy, so it pairs well with crunchy, salty, fresh, or toasted dippers.

• Bread: Bagels, baguette slices, French bread, or toasted crostini
• Crackers: Bagel chips, pita chips, pretzel thins, buttery crackers, or your favorite crackers
• Chips: Tortilla chips, pita chips, corn chips, or potato chips
• Raw vegetables: Bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, or snap peas

Serving Tip: For parties, I love serving smoked cream cheese on toasted crostini with hot honey, pepper jelly, or cowboy candy so guests can customize each bite.

Smoked Cream Cheese Dip

If you only have a tub of cream cheese instead of a block, you can still make smoked cream cheese dip. Transfer the cream cheese to a smoker-safe dish, such as a disposable foil pan or small cast iron skillet.

Spread the cream cheese evenly in the pan, coat the top with olive oil, and sprinkle with seasoning. Smoke it the same way you would a block of cream cheese until warm, smoky, and creamy.

Expert Tips

• Freeze the cream cheese for 10 minutes before seasoning to make it easier to handle and score.
• Use block-style cream cheese for the best shape and texture.
• Place the cream cheese in a cast iron skillet if you prefer not to use aluminum foil.
• Choose a lower-sodium seasoning rub if serving with salty crackers or chips.
• Smoke it as an add-on appetizer when your smoker or pellet grill is already running for a main protein.
• For extra flavor, drizzle the finished cream cheese with hot honey, pepper jelly, BBQ sauce, or chili crisp before serving.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Press plastic wrap directly against the top of the cream cheese to help prevent moisture from pooling.
• Freezing smoked cream cheese is not recommended because dairy can separate and become grainy after thawing.

Ways To Use Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked cream cheese is easy to customize with sweet, spicy, savory, or BBQ-style toppings depending on your personal preferences. You can smoke it plain and add toppings afterward, or season it before smoking for a deeper flavor.

Sweet Variations

• Carrot Cake Jam: Coat the cream cheese in cinnamon sugar, smoke until warm, then top with carrot cake jam.
• Red Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese: Smoke the cream cheese plain, chill it for 2 to 3 hours, then top with red pepper jelly.
• Hot Honey: Season the cream cheese with your favorite BBQ rub, smoke it, then drizzle with hot honey before serving.

Spicy and Savory Variations

• Cranberry Jalapeño Dip: Smoke the cream cheese plain, chill it for 2 to 3 hours, then spoon cranberry jalapeño topping over the cream cheese.
• Cowboy Candy: Smoke the cream cheese plain, chill it, then top with cowboy candy or cowboy candy with pineapple.
• Meat Church Smoked Cream Cheese: Season the cream cheese with Meat Church Holy Voodoo or Holy Cow seasoning before smoking.
• Salmon and Cream Cheese: Smoke the cream cheese plain and use it with smoked salmon, bagels, crackers, capers, and red onion.

Recipe Add-In Ideas

• Jalapeno Poppers or Egg Rolls: Use smoked cream cheese in jalapeno poppers or egg rolls for extra smoky flavor.
• Captain Rodney’s Dip: Use smoked cream cheese in place of regular cream cheese.
• Mac and Cheese: Smoke the cream cheese plain, then stir it into macaroni and cheese, such as Green Chile Macaroni and Cheese.

Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe