Smoked Cream Cheese

Prep: 5 min Cook: 120 min Total: 125 min Servings: 16
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published July 19, 2023 • Updated December 2, 2025

Reader Rating
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
5 Ingredients or LessBBQ

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Turn a block of cream cheese into a smoky, creamy spread for crackers and vegetables. Smoked cream cheese seasoned with BBQ rub, red pepper flakes and more is the best way to impress your friends at your next cookout!

Instead of bringing a dip to a potluck, like the infamous million dollar dip or buffalo chicken dip, bring a spread to top on crackers or crunchy vegetables. Smoked cream cheese is simple and easy to make, yet packs an incredible flavor. The seasoned cream cheese, when smoked, takes on a subtly smoky flavor creating the perfect contrast between the finishing touches added later – spicy red pepper flakes, sweet & sticky honey and savory parsley. A block of smoked cream cheese with cross hatch marks scored on top and red pepper flakes and minced parsley sprinkled on top. Celery, sweet pepper and crackers surround the cheese. This smoked cream  cheese recipe is one that any Traeger owner should try and experiment with different chips – apple, hickory, mesquite chips all give a slightly different smoke flavor. Cutting crosshatch marks, not only results in a stunning presentation but it allows the smoky flavor and BBQ seasoning to penetrate deeper into the soft cheese, so every creamy bite has wood-smoke flavor. Smoked cream cheese can be paired with a variety of topping sprinkles or drizzled over this velvety spread. From red pepper flakes, honey, lemon, fresh herbs – the different garnishes can add a variety of unique compliments to this tasty appetizer. Serve smoked cheese with an assortment of vegetables like sweet peppers, celery or cucumbers. Or those who love fire roasted, smoke flavor, add to smoked salmon under a slice of cucumber or cracker. To really impress your friends, top the smoky cream cheese with bacon jam.

How to make smoked cream cheese

Smoking cream cheese doesn’t require much effort. Like most smoker recipe, you just need time.
  1. Preheat the Traeger or smoker to 225°F.
  2. Brush olive oil all over cream cheese and score the top only with diagonal crosshatch marks to allow the smoke flavor to get inside the soft cheese.
  3. Sprinkle seasoning all of the block.
  4. Place cream cheese in a small cast iron skillet and smoke for 2 hours.
  5. Garnish with more seasoning, herbs or honey.
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Smoked Cream Cheese

5 (2) Prep 5m Cook 120m Total 125m 16 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz block cream cheese, cold
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons favorite BBQ rub
  • 1 tablespoon sugar free honey
  • minced parsley, for garnish
  • red pepper flakes, for garnish

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Prep Traeger

Preheat Traeger to 225°F.

A Traeger grill in black.
2
Coat with olive oil

Brush cream cheese with olive oil.

A hand brushing olive oil on a block of cream cheese sitting on a cutting board.
Tip Make sure cream cheese is cold when starting. This will make it easier to score and season.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 oz cream cheese
3
Score & season

Using a knife, score the top with diagonal crosshatch marks. Only slice through about 1/2-1 cm deep. Sprinkle BBQ rub all over the block of cream cheese.

BBQ seasoning covering cream cheese on a wooden cutting board.
Tip Sprinkle seasoning over a small plate and press the excess that falls into the cream cheese.
Ingredients for this step
  • 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ rub or seasoning
4
Traeger smoked cream cheese

Place seasoned cream cheese on a 8-10 inch cast iron skillet, cross hatch marks facing up. Smoke at 225°F for 2 hours.

Hands holding a cast iron skillet with a seasoned block of cream cheese inside.
5
Finishing seasonings

Remove skillet from the Traeger or smoker. Drizzle the top with honey and garnish with minced parsley and red pepper flakes.

A skillet with smoked cream cheese topped with honey and minced parsley.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 tablespoons sugar free honey
  • minced parsley
  • red pepper flakes
Nutrition Per Serving 1 tablespoon
52 Calories
4.6g Fat
1g Protein
0.5g Net Carbs
4.6g Total Carbs
16 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Bacon jam is on top of a block of cream cheese, with melba toast and bell peppers around.

Variations

BBQ smoked cream cheese

Sprinkle your favorite BBQ rub on the cream cheese before smoking. Then finish the smoked cheese with your favorite BBQ sauce (about 3-4 tablespoons) and crispy fried onions.

Taco

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the block of cream cheese before smoking. After smoked, top with salsa, chopped cilantro and sliced green onions. Scoop up with tortilla chips.

Strawberry cheesecake

Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sweetener all over the cheese before smoking. Once smoked, top with sliced strawberries and a strawberry sauce or just use fresh strawberries to scoop up the sweet smoked cream cheese.

Shrimp cocktail

Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning all over the block of cream cheese. After the cream cheese is smoked in the Traeger, top with cocktail sauce and chopped canned shrimp.

Jalapeno popper

Sprinkle your favorite BBQ rub all over the cream cheese or just leave it plain. Once smoked, top with crumbled bacon and sautéed, diced jalapenos.

Other toppings

Some other toppings you might try are different flavored honeys, jams, jellies, fresh herbs, roasted garlic.  

Seasonings to try

Any BBQ rub or seasoning can be used in this smoked cream cheese recipe. Just choose your favorite or try different ones. Here are some suggestions:
A smoky block of seasoned cream cheese in a skillet next to celery sticks, melba toast and peppers on a cutting board.

What to serve with smoked cream cheese

Smoked cream cheese can be paired with a many different finger foods. Here are a few suggestions:

Vegetables

  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Mini sweet peppers cut in half lengthwise
  • Bell pepper strips
  • Carrot sticks
  • Celery sticks
  • Broccoli florets
  • Cauliflower florets
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Mushrooms cut in half

Crackers / Bread

Use in other recipes

Storage information

Smoked cream cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store in an air tight container or wrap in plastic wrap. To soften in order to make cream cheese spreadable, leave out at room temperature for 30-40 minutes before serving.
Smoked Cream Cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any BBQ rub?

Yes, you can use your favorite all-purpose BBQ rub. Experiment with different rubs, from spicy to sweet or savory. Each will yield a unique flavor to the soft, smoky cream cheese.

Can I smoke multiple blocks of cream cheese at once?

Yes, you can smoke multiple blocks of cream cheese at one time. Just add them all to the cast iron skillet or baking dish. You can smoke the cream cheese in different baking dishes as well.

What wood chips or pellets can I use?

Try different flavors of Traeger pellets or wood chips. They will bring different flavors. Some suggestions are apple, pecan, hickory and mesquite.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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Reviews 2
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
  1. R
    Renee McDonald May 20, 2025

    Made this for a weekend get-together and it was gone in minutes! I'm a busy mom, so I loved how easy it was to prep and it added something special to our snack spread.

    Reply
  2. S
    Sarah E. May 15, 2025

    I tried this for a family BBQ last weekend and it was a hit. The smoky flavor came through so well and it paired great with sliced cucumbers.

    Reply

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