Step up your dip game and make this Smoked Cream Cheese. This dip can be coated with a simple dry rub and enjoyed with your favorite cracker, pretzel, or chip. The best part is that you get to use the smoker. 

Are you looking for an easy dip to make for a crowd? This dip is so good that you can eat it right off the grill. If you prefer it cold, you can also put it in the fridge for later. There is no wrong way to enjoy this deliciousness. 

What is smoked cream cheese?

Smoked cream cheese is a type of soft, spreadable cheese that has been flavored and smoked. It is often used as a topping for crackers or baked potatoes or as an ingredient in recipes.

Ingredients to use when smoking cream cheese

• Cream cheese – This recipe calls for an 8-ounce block of cream cheese. You can double or triple the recipe.
• Dry rub  – The second part of this recipe calls for a dry rub. You can choose your favorite.

What is my favorite dry rub to use?

Many different dry rubs can be used to flavor your cream cheese. Some of my favorites include smoky paprika, spicy chili powder, and tangy lemon zest.

How to Make Smoked Cream Cheese Dip

You are going to start with your favorite brand of cream cheese. I always prefer the store brand, but you choose your favorite.

I like to use a little secret when smoking cream cheese: rub it down with olive oil. This step will help ensure the seasoning sticks to the cream cheese.

Go ahead and score the top of the cream cheese block. Place the cream cheese onto the prepared baking sheet 

Start by preheating the smoker to 215° F. Then, you’ll want to line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

You are then going to sprinkle the rub onto the top and sides of the cream cheese. Place the baking sheet on the smoker and smoke for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Flavor Variations for Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese

• Sweet – Coat with a sugar-cinnamon blend and drizzle with honey when served.
• Mexican – Coat with taco seasoning, add Rotel tomatoes and pickled jalapenos to the top when done, and serve with taco chips and Frito scoops.
• Bacon – Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the cream cheese before smoking. Garnish with more crumbled bacon and serve with crackers.
• More cheese –  add more cheese to the cream cheese before smoking.
• Serve with crackers, pretzels, or vegetables for dipping.

Can you use low-fat cream cheese?

While it is possible to use low-fat or fat-free cream cheese to smoke, most people recommend against it. This is because the lower fat content can result in a drier and less flavorful finished product. If you do choose to use low-fat or nonfat cream cheese for your smoked cheese dip, you may need to add additional seasonings or ingredients to compensate for the reduced flavor and creaminess.

Should I eat this hot or cold?

You can always cut the cream cheese in half and try both options. Eating the smoked cheese hot or cold is going to produce two different flavor versions of the recipe. Give both a try and let us know what you think.

What wood pellet choices do I have for this recipe?

 It is recommended that you use Apple, Pecan, or Competition Blend.

Grab your favorite crackers and make this appetizer with cream cheese ASAP! What’s your favorite part of making dips for your family to enjoy?

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THIS SMOKED CREAM CHEESE?

While this cream cheese goes with just about every type of smoked meat, here are a few suggestions:

Traeger Chicken Wings – if you are looking for a fun party idea or maybe something for the big game, you can’t go wrong with smoked wings.

Smoked Bologna – while this recipe is a bit different than your normal smoked meat, it would be great with the smoked cream cheese.

Traeger Pulled Pork – well we couldn’t pass up everyone’s favorite pulled pork.

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Looking for a side dish or appetizer that’s super easy to make? These Smoked Mushrooms are tender and flavorful. As you take the first bite of these mushrooms, you’ll notice they even have the perfect amount of smoked flavor! 

What are smoked mushrooms?

Smoked mushrooms are a delicious and unique way of preparing mushrooms. They are usually prepared by smoking them in a smoker or using an at-home method of steaming, baking, or grilling the mushrooms to smoke them on the stovetop. After smoking, these mushrooms have a robust smoky flavor that can be used in many different dishes.

Related: More Side Dish Recipes

Ingredients Needed

This recipe is simple enough and only requires 5 ingredients. Here is what you’ll need: 

• Cleaned whole mushrooms – you’ll need white button or baby portobello mushrooms for this recipe. 
• Olive oil – the mushrooms will be tossed in olive oil prior to smoking them. 
• Onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper are all the seasonings of choice for these. 

How to Make Traeger Smoked Mushrooms

Let’s talk about simplicity for a moment. These mushrooms are so simple to make but are one of the most delicious food items you can smoke. 

The first major step is to preheat the smoker to 180°F. Next, in a large bowl, toss mushrooms with olive oil. 

Go ahead and sprinkle seasonings onto the mushrooms and toss to coat. Place the mushrooms directly onto the smoker grates or add them to a grilling pan and smoke for 30 minutes

Increase smoker temperature to 475°F, when the smoker reaches 475°F, remove your cooked mushrooms from the grates and serve warm.

Tips for Making Smoked Mushrooms

Cleaning the mushrooms:  Before you begin, make sure to clean the mushrooms well. Gently rinse them under cold water and use a brush or soft cloth to gently scrub off any dirt or debris.

Prepping the mushrooms: Once clean, you will want to remove the stems from the mushrooms before beginning. You can either slice the mushroom caps in half or leave them whole, depending on the dish you are preparing.

Smoking the mushrooms: Once prepared, you can smoke the mushrooms using a smoker.

Pellets: Wood Pellet Choices: Apple, Pecan, Cherry

Can you smoke mushrooms?

Yes, smoking mushrooms is a popular way of preparing and cooking mushrooms. They can be prepared using a smoker or by grilling on the stovetop. The process involves smoking the mushrooms to impart a smoky flavor and then using them in various recipes.

What kind of mushrooms can I use for this recipe?

Some of our favorite mushrooms to smoke are chanterelles, porcini, Shiitakes, and baby Bellas. 

Do I need to remove the stems from the mushrooms?

For larger mushrooms, you’ll want to remove the stems. The stems on the bigger mushrooms can be tough, so they won’t be as edible. 

What can you serve with smoked mushrooms?

You can enjoy these smoked mushrooms by themselves. You can also add them to a steak, pork chop, or chicken. The mushrooms are delicious as a snack, appetizer, or alongside a main course. 

We love serving these Mushrooms with our Smoked Beef Tenderloin, or these Traeger Chicken Thighs would be delicious!

If you’re looking for something different to smoke, consider smoking mushrooms. The tender flavor you get from smoking these mushrooms for 30 minutes is amazing. Go ahead and give them a try and let me know what you think. We recently saw a wonderful selection of Mushrooms at our local Market District store.

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