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.

The post Best Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe appeared first on Recipes For Dads, LLC.

For all you meat smokers out there, if you haven’t tried smoked shrimp, yet, what are you waiting for? It doesn’t take long from preparing to enjoying, so grab some shrimp, preheat the smoker, and get ready to enjoy that rich, smokey flavor in less than an hour.

Whether you like to eat shrimp alone as an appetizer or use it with other recipes, Smoked Shrimp is a great choice. Using common spices you already have on-hand, as long as you have shrimp, you can toss it in your smoker any time you’re smoking other meats as well. You don’t even have to share, if you don’t want to. Eat these right out of the smoker and enjoy your reward for smoking some other meat for dinner.

Smoked Shrimp Ingredients

Below is an overview, so be sure to check the recipe card at the end for exact measurements.

• Raw Shell-On Shrimp – You don’t need jumbo shrimp, but you could use them. Just be sure to check the internal temp and adjust the cook time, if needed.
• Vegetable Oil – To help the seasoning stick as well as encouraging that smokey flavor you love.

Good Shrimp Seasoning

• Kosher Salt – A staple in cooking, salt is the flavor enhancer. Kosher salt also is a little larger and changes the texture some.
• Cracked Black Pepper – Also larger like the Kosher Salt, Cracked Black Pepper adds an even more robust flavor.
• Garlic Powder – Garlic is always a great flavor enhancer.
• Paprika – A great addition to any smoked meat, paprika will only compliment the smokey flavor.

How to Make Traeger Shrimp

To make Smoked Shrimp, start with preheating the smoker. It doesn’t take long to prep the shrimp, so it’s good to get it going so it’s ready when you are. To prep the shrimp, first peel and rinse them. Use a paper towel to blot off the excess water. Take a large bowl and toss the shrimp with all the other ingredients, making sure the shrimp is well coated.

Once your smoker is preheated, place the prepared shrimp onto the smoker grates and cook until they are done. Be ready, because they are best eaten straight out of the smoker. If you’re using them in a recipe rather than eating them as an appetizer, have everything else ready to go when the shrimp is finished.

How Much Shrimp Do I Need?

This recipe calls for 1-2 pounds. Each pound will probably give you about 13-15 shrimp, depending on the size of shrimp you purchase. Usually, a pound of shrimp can feed around 4 people, depending on how you plan to use the shrimp. Eating the shrimp alone as an appetizer may require more shrimp than including the shrimp in, say, a pasta dish. 

Keep in mind, not only the size of the shrimp will matter, but if the shrimp are raw, you’ll need more pounds and if they are peeled and deveined, you’ll need fewer pounds. It can be a confusing kind of math to do, but you’ll want to make sure you have plenty for everyone. 

Quick Tips for Smoked Shrimp

You may find that the shrimp are too small to place directly on your smoker grates. If this is the case, simply cover your smoker grate with some aluminum foil, taking care to poke small holes into the foil. The holes allow the smoke to flow through and still add the smokey flavor to your shrimp. 

If you’re smoking meat for a different meal and you have some room in your smoker, go ahead and toss these shrimp in with it! Even if you don’t make a ton, no one will ever say no to such a delicious pre-dinner snack. 

WHAT SIDES TO SERVE WITH SMOKED SHRIMP?

Smoked Vegetables – serving fresh vegetables is the perfect addition to Smoked Shrimp

Homemade Hush Puppies – seafood and hush puppies go hand in hand

Grilled Asparagus – a great way to keep the meal light

The post Traeger Smoked Shrimp Simple & Delicious appeared first on Recipes For Dads, LLC.