Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese

If you ever go out and get fresh bagels from a local bakery, then you’ve definitely seen all the unique flavors of cream cheese that they have to offer. But sometimes it doesn’t feel worth the money, or there are simply just too many flavors to try! That’s why we’re here to tell you that you can make your own flavored cream cheese right at home. And it’s easy, too. Based on one of our favorite shmears from Noah’s New York Deli, this jalapeno salsa cream cheese elevates any bagel you schmear it on!

We love adding flavorful ingredients to our cream cheese because it makes a unique spread that can be used for so many different purposes. This jalapeno salsa cream cheese has a fresh and light flavor, with just a hint of spice, that goes great with breakfast or lunch. Slather it on a bagel or use it in place of mayo or cheese on your favorite sandwich, and you’ll be wishing you’d found this recipe sooner!

Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese Ingredients

You can combine just 3 simple ingredients to create an easy flavored cream cheese recipe at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Block cream cheese
• Diced jalapeno
• Picante sauce, or salsa

We highly recommend using Philadelphia cream cheese for this jalapeno salsa shmear for its creamy texture. However, you can use any brand of cream cheese for this recipe.

For the salsa, we actually like to use Pace picante sauce because it’s a more liquidy salsa. This helps to distribute the flavor into the cream cheese better and keeps it less chunky. However, if you want a chunkier jalapeno salsa cream cheese, feel free to use whatever salsa you like. Changing the salsa up is a great way to make slightly different flavored cream cheeses!

How To Make Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese Shmear

It doesn’t get much easier than making a flavored cream cheese. Especially if you remember to get the cream cheese out ahead of time to let it soften. (Which we rarely do… so we’re always left to wait impatiently while our stomachs rumble!)

Here’s how to make our jalapeno salsa cream cheese recipe:

1. First, get the cream cheese out approximately 30 minutes ahead of time to let it soften on the counter.
2. Once it’s soft, add the cream cheese, diced jalapeno, and salsa to a bowl and mix vigorously until fully combined. You’ll want to use a sturdy metal spoon and sort of press and fold the ingredients into the cream cheese at first, then begin to mix more normally.
3. Finally, chill in the fridge before serving. Or, if you can’t bear to wait any longer, enjoy right away!

Again, it doesn’t get much easier than that. 3 simple steps and you can have bagel-shop style flavored cream cheese right at home!

If you are making a larger batch of cream cheese, you can use a stand mixer to help. Mixing cream cheese by hand can be surprisingly tiring!

Note: We recommend making cream cheese ahead of time so that it has a chance to cool in the fridge. Since you got it out early to warm up, it’ll be best to let it cool off again before eating it. We have a handy set of 8 ounce deli containers that are great for storing flavored cream cheeses. Just keep your homemade cream cheese in the fridge for about 7 to 10 days and enjoy as you please!

What To Schmear Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese On

Bagels, of course!

But if you’re looking for other ways to use your flavored cream cheese spread, which we suggest you do because it’s great on anything, here are some other great ideas:

• Cream cheese makes a great spread on a savory lunch sandwich. Slather it on a bagel or your favorite sandwich bread and add ingredients like lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken or turkey, and sundried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
• Savory cream cheeses are great for an afternoon snack, spread on some toasted bread.
• Just like any other cheese spread, this jalapeno salsa cream cheese goes great with some plain crackers for an easy snack (our go-to are Triscuit thins).

Flavored cream cheeses are a great way to elevate any breakfast whether as a bright spot just for you before work, or shared with family and friends at a holiday brunch. Make your own flavored cream cheese, stick it in a deli container, and everyone will hardly believe you didn’t just go buy it!

Storing Flavored Cream Cheese

You can store jalapeno salsa cream cheese in the fridge for 7 to 10 days in an airtight container. As we mentioned, we have these great deli containers that make it super easy to store homemade spreads and can highly recommend a set to any home cook!