Hey Smokers and welcome to my post where we will run through my Traeger smoked cream cheese recipe and cooking guide. As you may or may not know, this site is all about cooking on my Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Smoker and seeing where we can take things. And today, I making my first foray into cheese!
To be honest, I have stolen (or ‘borrowed’) this idea from a FaceBook short that popped up the other day. I saw it and showed my wife, who said “Well then, why are we not eating that?”. So now we are!
Check out my : Traeger Smoked Mac and Cheese – Recipe and Cooking Guide
Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese: What You’ll Need
Ok, so below is what I used to smoke up some cream cheese on the old pellet smoker:
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz) block of full-fat cream cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (I used olive oil)
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub (sweet or savory, depending on your preference)
- ¼ cup honey or hot honey (optional, for drizzling)
- Crackers, bread, or veggies for serving
I chose to use an all purpose type rub on my cheese as that is what they used in the video I saw. Of course, as with anything else we choose to BBQ, you can pretty much use what ever you like such as:
- Smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper (I think this could work very well too)
- Cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Optional Toppings:
Once the cheese has been smoked, you can serve it as is, with the honey as outlined above, or with any other additional toppings such as:
- Chopped jalapeños or roasted red peppers
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped green onions
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Hot honey or maple syrup drizzle
The Smoking Process
This is what I did and when:
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese
- Remove the cream cheese from the packaging and place it on a small piece of aluminum foil or a shallow pan.
- Score the top with a knife in a crisscross pattern to help absorb the smoke.
- Brush the entire block with olive oil or melted butter
- Sprinkle your BBQ rub (or whatever else you plan to use) evenly over the top and sides.
- Press lightly to help the seasoning adhere.
- Set your pellet smoker to 225°F/107°C. Use a mild wood pellet like apple, cherry, or pecan to complement the cream cheese without overpowering it.
3. Smoke the Cream Cheese
- Place the cream cheese in the smoker.
- Smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours until it develops a golden-brown color and slightly softens.
5. Finishing Touches
- Remove from the smoker and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Drizzle with honey or hot honey for a sweet contrast (optional).
- Add toppings like crumbled bacon, jalapeños, or everything bagel seasoning for extra flavor.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
- Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
- It can also be spread onto bagels or used as a dip.
My Results
I will keep this short and sweet – after all it is not like we are doing a 16 hour brisket here hey! I smoked the cheese for just under 2 hours, drizzled it with some hot honey, and it was delicious. The picture below however shows my one mistake – I forgot to put it on a small BBQ mat when I put it into the smoker meaning it fell apart a little as I took it off.
Regardless of the look however, we really enjoyed it and look forward to trying it with as many different topics as I can in the future.
Tips for the Best Smoked Cream Cheese
- Try Different Rubs: Use a sweet rub for a milder taste or a spicy rub for a kick.
- Pair with Smoked Meats: Serve alongside smoked brisket, pulled pork, or chicken for a BBQ feast.
- Experiment with Toppings: Mix in roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, or herbs for unique flavors.
- Make it a Dip: After smoking, mix it with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy dip.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my recipe and cooking guide for some Traeger smoked cream cheese. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below. I would also love to hear of your own experiences, preferences or suggestions here as well.
Are there any other products you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.
Until next time
Have fun and get smoking!
Paul
How I Turned My Smoking Passion Into A Full Time Income
Hey there! I’m Paul, and like you, I started as a BBQ beginner with just a Traeger and a dream. Now I’m helping others turn their smoking passion into a sustainable online business.
