Garden Vegetable Spread (Printable Version)
Fresh vegetables blended with creamy cheese for a light, flavorful spread ideal for sandwiches and crackers.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
02 - 1/2 cup finely diced cucumber, seeds removed
03 - 1/3 cup finely chopped carrots
04 - 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
05 - 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
→ Dairy
06 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
07 - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
→ Seasonings and Herbs
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with Greek yogurt or sour cream. Stir vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
02 - Fold in the diced red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, green onions, and celery along with the chopped fresh parsley and dill. Mix thoroughly to distribute evenly throughout the base.
03 - Add garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice if using. Stir until all seasonings are fully incorporated and the flavor is uniform.
04 - Taste the spread and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your preference.
05 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
06 - Transfer the chilled spread to a serving dish and accompany with crackers, fresh bread, crudités, or use as a sandwich filling.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in minutes with no cooking required, which makes it a lifesaver on hot days or busy weeknights.
- The crunch of fresh vegetables against the creamy base is genuinely addictive, and people always ask what is in it.
02 -
- Soggy spread is almost always caused by unseeded cucumbers or impatient chilling, so take the extra minute to scrape those seeds out.
- A pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end adds a surprising depth that makes this taste like something from a specialty shop.
03 -
- Finely dice everything by hand rather than using a food processor because chunky texture is what makes this spread special.
- For a vegan version, plant based cream cheese and yogurt work beautifully, just choose brands you already enjoy on their own.