Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread
Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread takes bagels, sandwiches, and crackers to the next level! Crunchy veggies from Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera combined with cream cheese creates a flavorful, creamy spread or dip that will elevate anything you use it on!
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Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread
Not to be confused with Italian Pickled Giardiniera, the Chicago version is a combination of crunchy veggies like carrot, cauliflower, celery, and spicy peppers that soak in a brine before taking a permanent bath in oil with garlic, green olives, and oregano.
This giardiniera is a wonderful, spicy addition to sandwiches, brats, pizza, and basically, anything edible.
My idea for Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread came from having leftover Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera from when I make Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches.
The recipe for Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera makes a big batch, so there’s always leftovers and I wanted to use this prized possession of mine in a new and creative way.
My favorite flavor of cream cheese is vegetable, so I thought using veggies that are already loaded with flavor from marinating in giardiniera would make a perfect cream cheese spread. Does it ever!
I have eaten this amazing, veggie-filled cream cheese on toasted bagels and spread on my favorite crackers, Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers.
This stuff is just exploding with flavor! You get the creaminess from the cream cheese, a little heat from the jalapeno and serrano peppers, and crunchy, slightly salty veggies in every bite.
It’s absolutely perfect and I can’t wait to see what else I can use it on.
Tip: Make sure you drain your giardiniera really well; you don’t want an oily cream cheese spread.
How to use Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese?
- Cold or warm as a dip for crackers or veggies
- Spread on sandwiches instead of mayo
- Slathered on wraps
- Spread on tortillas for roll-ups
- Of course, on bagels!
If you’re looking for another cream cheese spread, I’m also in love with this Garlic & Scallion Cream Cheese Spread!
How long is this cream cheese spread good for?
Keep the cream cheese in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use within 5 days.
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Giardiniera Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup drained Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera made in advance, see link in post for recipe
Instructions
- For the best flavor, make your giardiniera at least a week before making this recipe. The longer it marinates, the better!
- Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft to make it easier to work with. Add your giardiniera (that is drained of its oil really well) to your cream cheese. Take a fork and mash it all together. Refrigerate. Enjoy! Use within 5 days.
Did you make this recipe? Rate it and let me know in the comments below! ♥
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It’s not even 7am and I just tried this with cream cheese as suggested. (I’m supposed to be working) It is SO good! I just had to stop what I was doing to come here and tell you. Thanks for a great recipe!