Garden Vegetable Spread (Printable)
Creamy garden spread combining cucumber, bell pepper, carrot and herbs - ready in 15 minutes; chill before serving.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fresh Vegetables
01 - 1 cup finely diced cucumber, seeded and peeled
02 - 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
03 - 1/2 cup grated carrot
04 - 1/2 cup finely diced celery
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Dairy
06 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
07 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
→ Seasonings and Flavorings
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Finely dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and celery. Grate the carrot and thinly slice the green onions. Combine all prepared vegetables in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spatula or hand mixer until smooth and free of lumps. Add the Greek yogurt or sour cream and continue blending until fully incorporated and creamy.
03 - Stir the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and dill into the cream cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
04 - Fold the prepared vegetable mixture into the seasoned creamy base using a spatula. Gently combine until all vegetables are evenly coated and distributed throughout.
05 - Taste the spread and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your preference.
06 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It turns an overabundance of summer vegetables into something genuinely craveable without turning on the stove.
- The cream cheese base makes it rich enough to feel indulgent while still being mostly vegetables.
02 -
- If you skip the chilling step the spread will taste flat and watery because the vegetables need time to release moisture and the cream cheese needs time to reabsbe it.
- Patting the diced cucumber dry with a paper towel before mixing prevents the whole bowl from weeping overnight.
03 -
- Dicing everything as small and even as possible is tedious but it is the difference between a spread and a chunky salad on a cracker.
- Letting the cream cheese come to full room temperature before mixing eliminates lumps without requiring a hand mixer.