There's so much to love about this whipped goat cheese including the creamy texture and fresh flavors, not to mention the 5 minutes it takes to make. Blend creamy goat cheese with a mix of sweet honey and fresh herbs then serve it with an assortment of crackers, crusty bread, and vegetables.
Consider this the creamy, slightly sweet sequel to this cottage cheese dip. Both make an easy appetizer for the holiday season or impressive addition to the game day spread.
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a type of cheese made from the milk of goats, which is often easier to tolerate for those that are sensitive to cow's dairy. It has a tangy and slightly salty flavor and can range in texture from soft and creamy to firm and crumbly.
It's a popular ingredient in party appetizers like our sweet potato bites, this honey whipped goat cheese, and bacon-wrapped dates. It's also delicious as a salad topping in our grilled peach salad and shaved brussels sprout salad.
If you're a cheese lover, add this goat cheese recipe to an assortment of your favorites on a cheese board and watch your friends be glued to the kitchen counter (or wherever this goat cheese appetizer happens to be).
Here's What You'll Love About this Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
- Flavor: this creamy dip has a tangy and slightly salty flavor that is popular among many people.
- Versatility: It can be used as a spread or a dip, and is a great addition to many dishes, from appetizers to entrees.
- Make-ahead recipe: honey whipped goat cheese stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, so prep it in advance for easy entertaining.
- Easy to make: Whipped goat cheese is simple and quick to make, requiring only a few ingredients. You can use a hand mixer or the bowl of a food processor to whip it all together.
- Customizable: You can add various flavors and ingredients to whipped goat cheese to make it your own, such as herbs, garlic, honey, or nuts.
Key Ingredients You Need & Why
Here are the simple ingredients for this recipe. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find at the grocery store. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Goat cheese: goat cheese comes in a log in either 4 or 10-ounce portions. The generic grocery store brand goat cheese works well.
- Cream cheese: this ingredient adds additional tangy notes and a creamy texture. You can use Kite Hill (or another brand) for a dairy-free option. A few more great options include sour cream or greek yogurt.
- Lemon juice and lemon zest: all good recipes have some sort of acid to balance out the tang and sweetness and lemon juice and zest and brightness to this honey whipped goat cheese.
- Honey: honey plays well off the natural sweetness of goat cheese. Fig spread or apricot spread would be creative and delicious swaps here.
- Olive oil: a drizzle of olive oil thins out this whipped goat cheese dip and rounds out the dip with savory flavors.
- Salt and pepper: a pinch of salt and black pepper enhance the flavors. We like to use kosher salt, but sea salt works too. Reduce the amount of salt slightly if you're using table salt.
- Fresh herbs: our favorites are rosemary and thyme. They give the dip extra flavor thanks to their fresh, earthy notes.
How to Make Whipped Goat Cheese
This is an overview with step-by-step photos, to make this creamy cottage cheese ranch dip. Full printable instructions are in the recipe card below.
Video: Watch how to make them!
This is a short visual version to show you how to make whipped goat cheese dip. Skip down to the recipe card to make it with me and hear all my tips!
Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender.
Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Transfer the honey whipped goat cheese to a shallow bowl or serving platter and top with a drizzle of honey and more fresh herbs. Serve with your favorite veggies, bread, pretzels or bread.
What to Use for Dipping
- Your favorite crackers. The everything bagel crackers in the recipe notes of our cottage cheese dip would be delicious.
- Crusty bread like sourdough, french bread, gluten-free baguettes, or crostini.
- Raw vegetables (aka Crudités) such as carrots, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers
- Chips, pitta chips or pretzels (see recipe notes for everything bagel pretzels pictured here).
- Crudités (a French term for raw vegetables served as an appetizer)
- Grilled bread
Quick FAQs
According to The Flavor Bible, some of the most common and delicious ingredients to mix with goat cheese include honey, lemon, vinegar, figs, garlic, fresh herbs, cherries, and olive oil.
Goat cheese is unique in that you can serve it with sweet flavors or savory sides and toppings. Add some caramelized onions and fig jam (like in our baked brie with fig jam), or top it with bacon and dates. Spread it on bread with fresh veggies, chips, or bread (see the section above for more dipping options).
Leave the goat cheese out at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to soften it before blending. You can also place the sealed package of goat cheese in a bowl of lukewarm water to soften it quickly. If you're in a pinch, add a few tablespoons of milk or cream to the dip to soften it while you're blending.
Goat cheese does not melt when heated like shredded cheese (mozzarella or provolone). It will become very soft and warm and become spreadable, instead.
There are a few ways to whip goat cheese including a food processor, high-speed blender, stand mixer or even by hand. If you don't have special tools, use a whisk to whip it by hand.
Make sure the cream cheese and goat cheese are very soft then place all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Vigorously whisk them together by hand until smooth and combined, adding milk or cream as needed to help smooth and mix.
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
More Delicious Recipes Using Goat Cheese
- Toss it in a salad like our grilled zucchini salad or grilled peach salad.
- Stuff it in bacon-wrapped dates or stuffed flank steak.
- Spread it on goat cheese crostini or sweet potato bites.
Whipped Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounces fresh goat cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese (dairy-free if needed, Note 2) room temperature
- 1/2 lemon juice and zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons honey plus more for drizzling
- To serve: Toasted french baguette (Note 3), pita chips, everything baked pretzels (Note 4), dried fruits or fresh veggies
Recommended Equipment
- Food processor or high-speed blender (Note 1)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy., scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. We didn’t do this, but you can add a splash of heavy cream or milk to thin out the consistency to your liking.
- Transfer the honey whipped goat cheese to a serving bowl and top with a drizzle of honey and more fresh herbs. Serve with your favorite veggies, bread, pretzels or bread.
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