Fresh Benedictine Cucumber Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
A quick and easy homemade cucumber cream cheese spread that is fresh, creamy, and perfect for snacks, brunches, or appetizers. This simple recipe combines finely grated cucumber with cream cheese, onion, and dill for a refreshing and satisfying treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large English cucumber, peeled and finely grated
- 8 ounces (225 grams) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons finely minced sweet onion or shallot
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Optional: A pinch of sugar or honey for sweetness
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber and grate it finely using a box grater or food processor (about 3-5 minutes).
- Place the grated cucumber in a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth and press or squeeze gently to remove excess moisture (about 2-3 tablespoons of liquid).
- Finely mince the sweet onion or shallot. If desired, soak the minced onion in cold water for 5 minutes and drain to soften the sharpness.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spatula or mixer until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the drained cucumber, minced onion, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the cream cheese. Stir gently but thoroughly until evenly mixed (2-3 minutes).
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and the spread thicken.
Notes
Drain the grated cucumber thoroughly to avoid a watery spread. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth mixing. Chill the spread for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture. Optional herbs like chives or parsley can be used instead of dill. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cucumber spread, cream cheese spread, easy snack, homemade dip, fresh cucumber recipe, Benedictine spread, appetizer, brunch recipe