Easy Homemade Herbed Cream Cheese Spread
Softened cream cheese flecked with fresh basil, mint, dill, and chives, brightened with lemon. A 10-minute, no-cook spread for bread, crackers, and fresh vegetables.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
- 8 oz cream cheese one package, softened
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
- 2 Tbsp fresh mint leaves loosely packed
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill fronds loosely packed
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 clove garlic minced very fine
Gently rinse the fresh herbs and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
In a food processor or blender, combine the basil, mint, and most of the dill with the softened cream cheese. Pulse gently — you want visible flecks of green throughout, not a smooth paste.
Zest the lemon directly into the mixture and squeeze in about 1/2 tsp juice. Add the chives and pulse once or twice more. Taste and adjust the salt and lemon.
By hand, fold in the remaining dill fronds, and the garlic if using. Adjust the seasoning one final time.
Spoon into a serving bowl or jar and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes so the flavors marry. Serve with crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables.