Name: 15-Minute Garlic Herb Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 Ounces Cream Cheese - softened; 1/2 Cup Buttermilk; Zest of 1 Lemon; 1 Garlic Clove - minced; 1 Tablespoon Fresh Chives; 1 Teaspoon Fresh Dill; 1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme; 1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Parsley; 1/4 Teaspoon Salt; 1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper

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This easy herbed garlic cream cheese spread uses tangy buttermilk with 10 simple ingredients, coming together in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a Southern-style appetizer, it's best enjoyed cold with crackers, bread, and veggies - or as a fresh spread for sandwiches. The blend of fresh herbs adds a delightful touch to any gathering. Recipe yields 1 cup of dip.

over head view of buttermilk herbed cream cheese dip in a serving bowl with crackers dipped inside.

Heather's Thoughts on This Tangy Herby Dip Goodness

Being a true Southern cook, I always have my fridge/pantry stocked with things to make some sort of popular Southern dip and spread. You never know when friends or family may stop by, when you want a little porch date night nibble on a Friday night, or simply just don't want to go to the store for 2 things when you need an appetizer. (PS - my personal GO TO dip to serve in these situations is quick cream cheese and pepper jelly dip).

But this garlic and cream cheese dip has been hitting the spot recently. Simple to make - CHECK. Ingredients on hand - CHECK CHECK. Crowd pleaser - CHECK CHECK and CHECK!

Let me show you how simple it is to bring together. 🙂

buttermilk herbed cream cheese dip in a serving bowl with crackers dipped inside.

⭐️ recipe note: after testing this multiple times to get the flavor and tang just right, I realized that using a garlic clove is the best way to go over just garlic powder. It gives more of a punch than the powder does - I could just never get it to taste quite right. You can finely mince it with a knife or a garlic mincer (Amazon affiliate link) or grate it on a microplane zester. Any will work!

Chopping up herbs on a wooden cutting board. — **STEP 1** - add the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Finely chop all of the fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs and a block of cream cheese in a clear glass mixing bowl. — Add them, along with the spices and lemon zest to the bowl.

Pouring in buttermilk to a clear mixing bowl with cream cheese and herbs. — **STEP 2** - pour in your buttermilk...

Mixing a cream cheese dip together with a hand mixer on a kitchen counter. — ...then mix with a hand mixer on low speed. Mix until smooth and creamy and everything is mixed well.

Mixing together a cream cheese dip in a clear mixing bowl with a blue rubber spatula. — **STEP 3** - scrape down the sides and bottom with a rubber spatula and put into a serving dish.

Overhead view of herb garlic and cream cheese dip in a serving bowl with a platter of crackers next to it. A spoon, plates, napkin and fresh herbs next to it as well. — **STEP 4** - Serve immediately with your favorite crackers!

If you are not serving this immediately, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until needed. This can be made up to a day in advance too. Any leftovers can be stored the same way in the fridge for 2-3 days after making.

If you do not have any buttermilk on hand, then you can have your own 5 minute buttermilk version at home. Honestly, this is what I do 99% of the time when a recipe calls for buttermilk and it works perfectly!

Recipe

15-Minute Garlic Herb Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

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Author: Heather Bilyeu
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 Cup 1x

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

8 Ounces Cream Cheese - softened
½ Cup Buttermilk
Zest of 1 Lemon
1 Garlic Clove - minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Chives
1 Teaspoon Fresh Dill
½ Teaspoon Fresh Thyme
½ Teaspoon Fresh Parsley
¼ Teaspoon Salt
⅛ Teaspoon White Pepper

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Instructions

*before beginning the recipe, set the cream cheese out for 30 minutes to allow to soften*

Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and ½ cup of buttermilk. Using a hand mixer, mix until smooth and creamy.
Add Lemon Zest: Add the zest of 1 lemon to the cream cheese mixture, stirring to incorporate.
Chop and Add Herbs: Finely chop the fresh herbs finely and add them along with the minced garlic clove to the mixture.
Season: Ass in the salt, pepper, and white pepper. Mix one final time until smooth and creamy and all ingredients are evenly combined.
Chill: Serve immediately or cover the spread and refrigerate until needed. Serve chilled with crackers, bread, veggies, or as a spread for sandwiches.

Notes

Can be made up to a day in advance.
Keep the leftovers covered airtight in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dips and Spread
Method: Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 scoop
Calories: 110
Sugar: 1.9 g
Sodium: 178.2 mg
Fat: 10.3 g
Carbohydrates: 2.7 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 2.3 g
Cholesterol: 30.3 mg

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