Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese

5 from 3 votes

Our jalapeno salsa cream cheese is the best flavored shmear to spread on bagels and sandwiches for Sunday brunch at home.

Servings ounces

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
¼ cup medium picante sauce or salsa
2 tablespoons diced jalapeno

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl with the salsa and jalapeno. Mix by hand, using the back of a metal spoon to help spread the cream cheese and fold the ingredients into it.
Continue spreading and folding until the ingredients are evenly mixed, then give it a few vigorous stirs to really incorporate everything.
Optionally chill the cream cheese in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Ingredient selection: Although you can make this with any brand of cream cheese and salsa, here's what we recommend starting with.

Cream cheese - Philadelphia cream cheese has the best texture of any brand, by far! It's super creamy which makes it easy to mix ingredients into by hand.
Salsa - We like to use Pace picante sauce for this flavored cream cheese since it has the perfect balance of chunks and liquid content. Start with something like this first, then experiment with your favorite salsas to see what you like the best.
Jalapeno - You can get 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno out of one small to medium sized pepper.

Cream cheese: Let the cream cheese soften before making so it is easier to mix the ingredients in. Around 30 minutes on the counter or 30 to 60 seconds in the microwave will help it soften and make mixing far easier.

Storing: Store your homemade cream cheese in an airtight container in the fridge and it should stay good for about 7 to 10 days.

Serving suggestions: This cream cheese tastes amazing on bagels, obviously! We like to pair it with plain, sesame, or everything bagels to let the flavors of the cream cheese really shine. It also goes great with a jalapeno cheddar bagel if you want some extra spicy flavor in your breakfast.

Aside from bagels, this flavored shmear tastes great on sandwiches and wraps, too. Spread it on some toasted multigrain bread and add lettuce, tomato, and grilled chicken for an easy and delicious lunch!

Author: Alex Langdon

Calories: 103kcal

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Ingredient, Spread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast, brunch, cream cheese, jalapeno, salsa, Sunday brunch

Nutrition