Raspberries and Kohlrabi

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Easy Smoked Cream Cheese

Modified: Jan 10, 2024 · Published: Sep 9, 2021 by Erica Schramek · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese will become your new favorite summer BBQ appetizer. Make it your own by customizing it with a variety of seasonings.

The results are a gooey lightly smoked brick of cream cheese that tastes good enough to rival even the best-baked brie.

Close up of smoked cream cheese surrounded by veggies.

Smoking a cream cheese block softens it and gives it an earthy smoke flavor that is perfect for smearing across your favorite crackers.

This smoked cream cheese appetizer recipe is so easy to whip up and cook along side other dishes.

Go ahead and add a couple blocks of cream cheese to your smoker the next time you are making one of your favorite smoker recipes like these Smoked Chicken Wings, Smoked Potato Skins, this Smoked Pork Roast, or this Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Step by Step Directions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • More Easy Sides
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Save This Recipe to Your Email
  • 💬 Comments

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • This Smoked Cream Cheese couldn't be easier to make. Just coat a block of cream cheese with olive oil and sprinkle on some of your favorite seasonings then smoke it for a few hours.
  • It is easily customizable by switching up the seasonings. See the list below for some suggestions.
  • Serve it with some crackers or freshly cut vegetables to make the perfect appetizer.

Try one of these other delicious recipes at your next BBQ: Grilled Marinated Bok Choy, Baked Kohlrabi Fries, Roasted Summer Vegetable Salad, and Provel Macaroni and Cheese.

Recipe Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this easy Smoked Cream Cheese.

Smoked cream cheese ingredients on a dark background.

Block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese: This isn't the time to count calories. Go ahead and use full-fat cream cheese.

Olive Oil: Coating the cream cheese in olive oil will help keep the outside of the cream cheese from drying out. Don't worry about using fancy extra virgin olive oil regular olive oil will work just fine.

Your Favorite Seasoning: There are so many options for flavoring the cream cheese. Check out some popular variations below.

Dippers: Try dipping crackers, chips, produce, or bread in this delicious cream cheese appetizer.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

There are so many different variations of Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese that you could make depending upon your chosen seasoning. Here are some you should definitely try.

  • Your Favorite BBQ Rub
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Ranch Seasoning Mix
  • Onion Soup Mix
  • For a dessert version try using Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust (a mixture of cinnamon sugar)
  • Pretty much anything that sounds like it will taste good with cream cheese

Step by Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Plain block of cream cheese on aluminum foil.

Step 2: Heat the smoker to 250°F (121°C). Place the cream cheese on a piece of foil or in a disposable aluminum pan. Score cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern. Brush the entire block with olive oil.

Cream cheese covered with everything bagel seasoning on aluminum foil.

Step 3: Sprinkle cream cheese with your favorite rub.

Tip: If the cream cheese sticks to the knife, while scoring the block or cream cheese, lightly wet the knife with a little water. Scoring the cream cheese opens up the block allowing the smoky flavor to reach the middle of the cream cheese.

Tip: If you don't want to use aluminum foil you can place the cream cheese on a metal baking dish or cast iron skillet.

Seasoned cream cheese on aluminum foil.

Step 4: Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.

Smoked cream cheese covered in everything bagel seasoning.

Step 5: Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve this creamy goodness with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.

Tip: The cream cheese is done when the score lines begin to pull away from each other and the center of the block feels warm.

Smoked cream cheese and veggies on a sheet pan.

Serving Suggestions

This weekend I served smoke cream cheese as a part of a charcuterie board with tomato chutney on top of wedges of homemade flatbread.

Serve hot straight off the smoker or chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. There are a variety of delicious accompaniments for smoked cream cheese.

A few of them include:

  • Crackers
  • Pita Chips
  • Bagel Chips
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Vegetables such as carrots, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers
  • Fruit Jams like this Small Batch Blueberry Jam or this Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Jam
  • Spicy Pepper Jelly
  • Maple Onion Bacon Jam
  • Fresh Spinach Pesto
  • Tomato Chutney
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Fruits such as apple slices

Recipe FAQs

What kind of wood should I use to smoke cream cheese?

I prefer to use mild wood pellets like apple or cherry.

What if I don't have a smoker?

If you don't have a smoker you can still make this delicious cream cheese appetizer.

Prepare the cream cheese as recommended in the recipe. Instead of using foil place the cream cheese in a shallow pan and add a small dash of liquid smoke to the top of the cream cheese.

Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C) and bake the cream cheese uncovered for one hour. If it has softened, remove the cream cheese from the oven.

If it is still firm continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. Allow the cream cheese to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

What should I serve with smoked cream cheese?

Try smearing savory smoke cream cheese across your favorite bagel or baguet. Or scoop some up with crackers, pretzels or serve it along with some freshly chopped vegetables.

For sweet smoked cream cheese, I would serve it with some fresh fruit, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers.

How do you store leftover smoked cream cheese?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

To reheat: Microwave the cream cheese in 30-second intervals until warm or bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 250°F (121°C).

Smoked cream cheese shouldn't be frozen.

Does smoked cream cheese melt?

Nope if it is smoked at the correct temperature cream cheese actually dries out a bit when it is smoked rather than melt.

Expert Tips

  • Vary the flavor of your smoked cream cheese by changing the seasonings used.
  • Don't forget to score the cream cheese. Scoring the cream cheese opens up the block allowing the smoky flavor to reach the middle of the cream cheese.
  • If the cream cheese sticks to the knife, while scoring the block or cream cheese, lightly wet the knife with a little water.
  • The cream cheese is done when the score lines begin to pull away from each other and the center of the block feels warm.

More Easy Sides

  • Collage of BBQ side dishes.
    What to Serve with Pulled Pork (50 Best Sides for Pulled Pork)
  • Asiago creamed spinach in a light colored bowl.
    Creamy Asiago Creamed Spinach
  • Smoked potato skins topped with green onions, sour cream, and bacon on a black plate.
    Traeger Smoked Potato Skins
  • Collage of side dishes for pork tacos.
    What to Serve with Pulled Pork Tacos - 30 Best Side Dishes

Thanks for Reading!

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below! You can also snap a picture and post it on Facebook or Instagram be sure to tag me @RaspberriesandKohlrabi.

Subscribe to get more recipes and tips by email.

📖 Recipe

Close up of scored smoked cream cheese.

Smoked Cream Cheese

Author: Erica Schramek
This Easy Smoked Cream Cheese will become your new favorite summer BBQ appetizer. Make it your own by customizing it with a variety of seasonings.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Side Dish Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 45 kcal
Save Recipe

Save This Recipe to Your Email

Enter your information and I'll send this recipe to your inbox.
Plus you’ll get more great recipes and cooking tips every week!

Equipment

  • aluminum foil, baking pan, or cast iron skillet
  • electric smoker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8oz block of cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of your favorite spice mix

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Heat the smoker to 250°F (121°C). Place the cream cheese on a piece of foil or in a disposable aluminum pan. Score cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern. Brush the entire block with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle cream cheese with your favorite rub.
  • Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.
  • Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve this creamy goodness with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.

Notes

Vary the flavor of your smoked cream cheese by changing the seasonings used.
Don't forget to score the cream cheese. Scoring the cream cheese opens up the block allowing the smoky flavor to reach the middle of the cream cheese.
If the cream cheese sticks to the knife, while scoring the block or cream cheese, lightly wet the knife with a little water.
The cream cheese is done when the score lines begin to pull away from each other and the center of the block feels warm.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
To reheat: Microwave the cream cheese in 30-second intervals until warm or bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 250°F (121°C).
Smoked cream cheese shouldn't be frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 79mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 99mgIron: 0.1mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @raspberriesandkohlrabi or tag #raspberriesandkohlrabi!

More Easy Homemade Side Dishes

  • Pickled onions on a fork.
    Quick Panera Pickled Red Onions Copycat Recipe
  • Grilled bok choy on a metal sheet pan.
    Grilled Marinated Bok Choy
  • Roasted strawberry jam in a glass jar.
    Balsamic Strawberry Jam with Roasted Strawberries
  • Scooping out casserole from white casserole dish.
    Cacio e Pepe Casserole with Hash Browns

Comments

No Comments

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Please be respectful. This space is for positivity, inspiration, constructive feedback, and thoughtful discussion. Comments that are inappropriate, offensive, off-topic, or spam will be removed. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy

Hi! I'm Erica

Close up of woman in white dress.

I am a self-taught cook and the writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer behind this blog.

more about me →

Subscribe to get more recipes and tips by email.

Spring Time Recipes

  • Ham and leek pot pie with a scoop missing.
    Easy Ham and Leek Pie with Puff Pastry
  • Three raspberry muffins on a white plate.
    Sourdough Raspberry Muffins
  • stack of two egg muffins on a white plate
    Egg Nests with Hash Browns
  • Close up of rhubarb creme brulee with a bite missing.
    Rhubarb Creme Brulee

Popular Recipes

  • A stack of three brownies on parchment paper.
    Sweetened Condensed Milk Brownies
  • Stack of sourdough flatbread wrapped in a white towel.
    Sourdough Discard Flatbread {No Yeast}
  • Close-up of a bowl of chili topped with sour cream, cheese, and oyster crackers.
    Help My Chili is Too Spicy (7 Ways to Cool Chili Down)
  • slice of lasagna on a white plate
    Homemade Four Cheese Lasagna with Ricotta and Cottage Cheese
  • Close up of condensed milk bread pudding in a white baking dish.
    Bread Pudding with Condensed Milk
  • Range of ripe bananas.
    How Ripe Should Bananas Be For Banana Bread

Feature On

Tasting Table logo.
5280 logo.

Footer

↑ back to top

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimers & Disclosures
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • About

Copyright © 2025 Raspberries and Kohlrabi

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.