My Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread is a total keeper. It’s creamy, flavorful and so easy to whip up at home. I spread it on crackers, stuff it into chicken, or add it to my charcuterie board. This homemade version beats grocery store versions every time.
I also like to turn this spread into a creamy sauce. These are a few more of my family sauce favorites: my sriracha aioli sauce and my teriyaki sauce marinade.
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Why this Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread Recipe is a Keeper
This easy spread comes together with just a few ingredients but delivers restaurant-worthy flavor. Herbed cream cheese is perfect for entertaining or meal prep.
- Incredibly Versatile: It’s fantastic as a spread for bagels, toast, crackers, or sandwiches, but also works as a dip, a base for sauces, or a flavorful addition to many dishes.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of savory garlic and fresh, aromatic herbs transforms plain cream cheese into something vibrant and irresistible.
- Easy to Make: Requires minimal effort and no special cooking skills so make a big batch.
- Customizable: Herb garlic cream cheese is highly adaptable to personal taste, allowing recipe for garlic spread for different herbs, spices, and add-ins.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator. It also freezes well.
Can I Use Low-Fat or Fat-Free Cream Cheese?
Yes. While full-fat cream cheese is richer and creamier, low-fat and fat-free versions still whip up nicely, especially when softened first
Pro Tip for Herb Garlic Cream Cheese
Let your cream cheese and butter come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures the spread blends smoothly without lumps and makes it easier to incorporate the herbs and garlic evenly.
Ingredient Notes for Garlic Cheese Spread
You only need a handful of simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat, regular cream cheese works best for a rich, creamy spread.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for bold flavor or roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter note.
- Savory Herbs: Fresh parsley, chives, dill, or thyme are great. You can also use dried dill, dried thyme and other herbs too.
Variations and Seasoning Substitutions for Herb Dip
This recipe is easy to adjust to suit your tastes or what you have on hand.
- Herbs: You can use chives, parsley, dill. or try a mediterranean flair with oregano,thyme and basil. Try roasted garlic for a sweeter flavor.
- Acidity: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a tiny splash of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors considerably.
- Onion/Shallot: Finely minced red onion or shallots can add a subtle oniony bite.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Consider using white pepper for a cleaner look if desired.
- Vegan: To make it vegan, use plant-based cream cheese.
- Add Heat: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
- Add Cheese: Stir in a bit of crumbled goat cheese, ricotta, pecorino romano, cheddar cheese or grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds extra creaminess and helps mellow the garlic flavor.
How to Make Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese Spread
This boursin cheese recipe comes together in just 1 quick and easy step. This creamy cheese spread is perfect as a dip with a platter of crackers.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, garlic powder, dill, parsley, chives, salt and pepper using a hand mixer.
Prep Ahead Suggestions
This spread is ideal for prepping in advance. Here’s how to get ahead:
- Soften Cream Cheese: Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 30-60 minutes before mixing to allow it to soften to room temperature. This makes it much easier to mix smoothly without lumps.
- Chop Garlic and Herbs: Mince your garlic and chop your fresh herbs in advance. Store them separately in small airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Full Assembly: Prepare the entire spread, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. It actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours (or overnight) as the flavors have time to meld.
Alternate Cooking Methods for this Appetizer Recipe
No cooking is required, but you can play with the garlic prep:
- Roasting Garlic: Instead of raw minced garlic, you can roast whole garlic cloves until soft and sweet, then mash them and incorporate into the spread for a milder, deeper garlic flavor. This takes additional time.
- Warm Dip (using the spread as a base): While the spread itself isn’t cooked, you can use it as a base for a warm dip. Mix it with cheese (like mozzarella or Parmesan) and other ingredients (like spinach or artichokes), then bake until bubbly and hot.
How to Store and Use Leftover Herbed Cream Cheese
This spread stores beautifully and is even better after the flavors meld.
- Store: Store the garlic and herb cream cheese spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Ensure it’s covered well to prevent it from absorbing other odors from the fridge.
- Use Leftovers: There are about a million ways to use this flavored cream cheese.
- Bagel/Toast/Cracker Spread: The most obvious and delicious use!
- Sandwich/Wrap Spread: Use instead of mayonnaise or other condiments for a flavorful boost.
- Dip: Serve with vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers), pita bread, or pretzels.
- Stuffed Chicken/Mushrooms: Stuff into chicken breasts before baking, or into mushroom caps and bake.
- Pasta Sauce Base: Whisk a dollop into warm pasta with a little pasta water for a quick, creamy, herbaceous sauce.
- Scrambled Eggs/Omelets: Stir a spoonful into scrambled eggs or spread inside an omelet for extra flavor and creaminess.
- Mashed Potatoes: Stir a dollop into mashed potatoes for rich, garlicky-herb flavor.
Common Questions About This Herb Spread Recipe
If using fresh garlic and herbs, I recommend chopping them as finely as you can so they are evenly distributed.
Do not microwave the cream cheese because it may make it too thin. If your spread is too thick, it’s either too cold or you added too many spices. Thin it out by adding just a touch of butter.
Absolutely! Use whatever you have on hand.
Expert Tips for Making Garlic Herb Cheese Spread
- Start with Softened Cream Cheese: This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free spread. If it’s too cold, it will be hard to mix evenly.
- Finely Mince Garlic: Raw garlic can be potent. Mince it very, very finely or use a microplane for the best flavor distribution without overpowering bites.
- Fresh Herbs are Key: While dried herbs can be used in a pinch, the vibrant aroma and taste of fresh dill, chives, and parsley truly make this spread shine. Don’t skimp on them!
- Taste and Adjust: After mixing, taste the spread. Does it need more salt? More pepper? A squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it? Adjust to your personal preference.
- Allow Flavors to Meld: For the best results, make the spread at least a few hours, or ideally, a day in advance. This allows the garlic and herb flavors to fully develop and infuse the cream cheese.
- Control the Garlic: If you’re sensitive to raw garlic, consider using less, or using roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Store Properly: Always keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent it from absorbing other food odors.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve with Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip, Cream Cheese and Crab Dip or Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board.
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Garlic Herb Cream Cheese
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, 1 brick, softened
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder, or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon Dill
- 1 teaspoon Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Chives
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
- Beat the spices into the cream cheese with an electric mixer until cream cheese is smooth and spices are well incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
- Soften Ingredients: Always bring cream cheese and butter to room temp before mixing.
- Customize Herbs: Use your favorite combination or what you have on hand.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Letting the spread rest brings out the best flavor.
- Double for a Crowd: This recipe is easy to scale up for parties or gifting.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.