3-Ingredient “Cowboy” Cream Cheese Dip Will Disappear in Minutes (I’ve Been Making It for Years!)
Cowboy cream cheese dip is one of those recipes that proves just how good simple can be. All you need is a block of cream cheese, your favorite barbecue rub, and some pepper jelly. That’s it! I first made this “cowboy” version of my favorite cream cheese dip for a summer cookout a few years back, and now it’s one of my favorite go-to appetizers.
What Makes Cowboy Cream Cheese Dip So Great
This dip works because it takes just a few ingredients and transforms them into something that feels way more impressive than the effort it takes. Smoking the cream cheese at a low temperature of 225°F is just enough to give it a mellow smoky flavor without melting it. The cheese stays firm enough to hold its shape, but it gets wonderfully soft inside. The barbecue rub forms a savory crust that adds a nice contrast to the creamy texture, and the pepper jelly on top adds just the right amount of sweetness and mild heat. I like serving it warm with Ritz crackers (but it would also be great with Fritos scoops!). It’s the kind of appetizer you can throw on the smoker while you’re smoking other things (like smoked ribs or smoked sausages), and it’s ready by the time everyone starts looking for a snack.
How to Make Cowboy Cream Cheese Dip
- Start with 1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese. Full-fat works best for a creamy texture.
- Season with 1 tablespoon of barbecue rub. Sprinkle it evenly all over the block of cream cheese.
- Smoke at 225°F. Place the cream cheese in a small cast iron skillet or any grill-safe dish in your smoker. (If you’re cooking on a gas grill, you can get smoky flavor by adding a foil packet filled with wood chips.) Smoke it “low and slow” for 1 hour (if your smoker goes lower than 225°F, you can smoke the cream cheese longer to get a smokier flavor).
- Top with 1/3 cup of pepper jelly. Spoon it over while the cream cheese is still warm.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect with Ritz crackers.
What if I Don’t Have Access to a Grill?
You can also make this dip in the oven! Bake the seasoned cream cheese at a low temperature — about 250°F — for 30 minutes until warmed though. It won’t have the smoke, but the barbecue rub and pepper jelly provide plenty of flavor.
More Toppings to Try
These cowboy-inspired toppings are great alternatives to pepper jelly.
- Crumbled bacon and hot honey. A sweet and salty combo that’s hard to beat.
- Sliced pickled jalapeños or cowboy candy. Pickled jalapeños add a vinegary kick and just the right amount of heat. Or try cowboy candy, which are sweet and spicy candied jalapeños.
- Corn salsa or cowboy caviar. Fresh, colorful, and full of Tex-Mex flavor.
- Bourbon bacon jam. You can’t go wrong with the smoky and sweet combination of bacon, caramelized onions, maple syrup, and bourbon.
- BBQ sauce and scallions. Drizzle with your favorite barbecue sauce and sprinkle thinly sliced scallions on top.
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