savory smoked cream cheese Archives

I had the smoker going, making a big batch of homemade bacon. And there was a little bit of room left on my grates. Unused smoker space. I can’t have that. So I made some smoked roasted garlic and herb cream cheese! Easy as can be. Delicious. And it’s the perfect treat, too. Just grab some crackers and in no time you’ll be enjoying this savory, garlicky, nicely herbaceous creamy cheese too!

A Little Smoke Goes A Long Way

Cream cheese loves smoke. If this is your first time making smoked roasted garlic and herb cream cheese I suggest that you go light on the smoke. Very light. Use a small chunk of wood. See how it goes. Make note of how much smoke you use so that you (might) adjust it the next time. Because there will be a next time, believe me. This stuff is magical. And it can take on so many different flavors, too. Savory. Sweet. Spicy. You can do anything!

Easy On. Easy Off.

I’ve found that a foil-wrapped cedar plank is the perfect way to get cream cheese onto and off the smoker. The cheese gets a little melted, making it slide off easily when it’s done. Does the plank add a bit more flavor? Maybe, but probably not. We’re not smoking at a high enough temperature to get the plank smoldering. We don’t want a high temperature. Too high and we’re making a cream sauce!

As an aside, this cheese makes for the perfect ‘cook’s treat’. A little something for me to nibble on while I’m cooking something else, like bacon!

Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning, 12 Ounce Shaker

Also try some cedar planked Cool Ranch Doritos!

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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Roasted Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese

The perfect cheese treat!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword cream cheese, smoked

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Servings

Calories 99kcal

Equipment

Smoker

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese
¼ cup Weber Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoning more or less, to taste
crackers for serving

Instructions

Fire up your smoker for 225 F. Use whatever wood you prefer, but I recommend a lighter wood (such as apple) since the cheese will easily absorb the smoke.
Unwrap the cream cheese but leave it on the foil.
Place into the freezer for 10 minutes to harden slightly.
Use a knife to cut diagonal slits across the top of the cheese. Cut about 1/4" deep.
Sprinkle the cheese liberally with the seasoning. Press it down gently to get into the slits you just cut.
Place the cheese (on the foil) onto your smoker and smoke 1 1/2-2 hours depending on how smoky you want your cheese. The cheese should soften slightly but not melt.
Remove and serve with crackers.

Notes

I place my cream cheese on a foil-wrapped cedar plank. I found that it makes it easier to get the cheese on/off the smoker. As the cheese softens it slides off the foil easily onto my serving platter.

Leftover cheese can be served cold or warmed in an air fryer, oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for Pellet Grill – Hot or Cold Smoker Accessories for Electric Gas Charcoal Grilling, Premium Stainless Steel Portable Barbecue Smoking Tube, Bonus Brush

Oh boy. You’re right, I didn’t need something else to come along that is so good that I can’t stop eating it. I have a long list of things I make that fit that description. But, add another. This smoked Everything Bagel cream cheese is really hard to stop eating. It’s the perfect appetizer. Easy. Creamy. Flavorful.

Cook’s Treats

One of the greatest things about being a cook is ‘cook’s treats’. Those are the things I make that I get to try first. Usually when no one is looking. Like when I’m out at the smoker by myself. I can take a bite, let the flavors sink in, and smile and be happy with the results. This smoked Everything Bagel cream cheese is the perfect Cook’s Treat. That’s why I put more than one on the smoker. Some for me, some for everyone else. Seems fair enough!

A Blank Canvas

I used Everything Bagel seasoning, but you can smoke cream cheese using just about anything to season it. You can even go with the sweet route, with a combination of sugar and cinnamon. It’s also a great way to use up some of your favorite seasonings in your pantry. Grab that BBQ rub. That rotisserie chicken flavoring. Whatever you like on other foods will be great on smoked cheese. Be adventurous!

McCormick Culinary Everything Bagel Seasoning, 21 oz – One 21 Ounce Container of Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend of Poppy Seed, Sesame Seed, Garlic, Onion and Salt

Also try some cedar planked spicy nacho cheese Doritos!