The easiest and most flavorful cream cheese dip I've ever tasted! Perfect for a crowd and always gets gobbled up fast! The combined flavors of fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and strawberry sauce over the cream cheese is divine and also makes for an amazing spread cheese!
Jump to:
If you're looking for new appetizer recipes, this one needs to be added to your collection. My Tangy Fruit Salsa With Baked Cinnamon Chips is one of my favorite appetizers but so is this spread cheese. Deliciously light and refreshingly cool, this appetizer recipe is a crowd pleaser.
Typically when I'm at get togethers, we see the same ole basic appetizers again and again. Don't get me wrong....that is totally fine. I mean, I love to eat but I do appreciate a unique appetizer. And that's what this recipe is. It's different. It's unique and I'm crazy in love with it!
Strawberries and cream cheese are amazingly delicious together and when you add some fresh basil to the mix, the party gets started! I've served this cream cheese appetizer at least a dozen times and I've not met one person who hasn't loved it.
Mouth. Watering. Delish!
Ingredients
Only 5 simple ingredients are needed to make this. My recommendation is to use frozen strawberries when making this recipe. When they defrost, the moisture melds exceptionally well with the balsamic vinegar and sugar. You won't get that same consistency and delicious results with fresh strawberries.
Basil vs. Thai Basil
Let's talk fresh basil for a minute. I am a lover of all things basil and I always add extra fresh basil to this spread. But when I can get my hands on fresh Thai basil, I use it for this recipe.
Thai Basil is a sweet basil and has a tiny little bit of a "spice" to it. It pairs extremely well with the strawberry sauce. Thai basil is actually pretty easy to find. You can typically find it at an Asian market, but you can also buy it on Amazon here.
Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
You're only 4 easy steps away from enjoying one of the best appetizer spreads you'll ever eat.
Start out by letting the bag of frozen strawberries thaw at room temperature. I typically buy a 10-12 ounce bag of whole frozen strawberries and place them into a bowl along with the balsamic vinegar and white granulated sugar.
Let these ingredient sit in the bowl for up to an hour so the strawberries can thaw. The goal is to let the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar meld together and marinate. It should take about 45 minutes for the strawberries to thaw and the strawberry glaze to finish marinating.
Once the strawberries are thawed enough to mash, use a hand held masher and press down on the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar. Expert Tip: You want the sauce to be a little bit chunky so don't completely smash all the strawberries.
Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate. If you are entertaining, this slate plate is perfect and absolutely gorgeous to serve from. Take a spoonful of the strawberry sauce and spoon it onto the block.
Next, slice the fresh basil into slivers and sprinkle it on top of the strawberry sauce. Using a cheese spreader knife, slice into the block.
Use this as a spread cheese and serve with your favorite cracker or with pita chips! Or, take your cracker and dip it into the cream cheese and enjoy this as a dip!
Expert Tips and FAQs
- The best way to soften cream cheese is to let it sit out at room temperature. When making this appetizer, I like to soften it at the same time the whole strawberries are thawing. Cut the block of cream cheese from the tin wrapping and set it on a plate. After about 30 minutes at room temperature, it becomes soft and easy to slice into and spread.
- Regular balsamic vinegar works well with this recipe but if you have a flavored balsamic vinegar, use it. I've used a cherry almond and a raspberry balsamic vinegar and the flavor popped even more. Balsamic reduction also works extremely well is this recipe. This will produce a thicker sauce.
- Some people call this strawberry cream cheese appetizer a spread and some people call it a dip. I don't think it matters what you call it...it's a versatile recipe. I tend to spread this on bagels or crackers. Then sometimes I stir it all together and use it as a dip where I dip my crackers into it. Eat it however makes you happiest!
- I do not recommend freezing this recipe. When you freeze cream cheese and then let it thaw, the texture is not as creamy and it does not spread well.
- Both pita chips and crackers work well with this recipe. The crunch and granularity of the cracker really helps bring all the flavors and textures together.
More Appetizer Recipes
I love a good appetizer and this Marinated Cheese soaks all the flavors of the white wine vinegar, garlic, and basil. This one is great for the holidays. Same thing with these Sausage Balls. I'm a southern girl and these sausage balls made with cheese and bisquick are phenomenal.
Switching it up a bit, I love eating chickpeas for an appetizer! These Pesto Chickpea Lettuce Wraps are healthy and covered in a fresh basil pesto sauce. They can also be enjoyed as a lunch or as a light sack. And if you want to serve a good finger food recipe that are not mixed nuts, try these Chili Lime Chickpeas. These are made in the air fryer and are perfect to set out and let your guests grab a handful to snack on while you mingle!
I can’t wait to hear how this recipe turned out for you! If you’ve tried this or any other recipe of mine on the website, make sure you rate the recipe. You can also leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!
Stay Updated! Get all the latest tasty goodness straight to your inbox by signing up to receive my weekly email for the latest and greatest recipes!
Follow Recipes Worth Repeating for more amazing recipes!
Basil Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups frozen whole strawberries
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 8 ounce package Cream Cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Put the frozen strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a medium bowl.
- Allow the strawberries to thaw, about 45 minutes, and then mash the ingredients together using a hand held masher or a large fork. Expert Tip: You want the sauce to be a little bit chunky so don't completely mash all the strawberries.
- Remove the cream cheese from the package and place on a serving plate.
- Slowly spoon the strawberry sauce over the cream cheese.
- Top with thinly sliced basil.
- Serve with your favorite crackers or pita chips. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- When making this appetizer, I like to soften the cream cheese at the same time the whole strawberries are thawing. Cut the block from the tin wrapping and set it on a plate. After about 30 minutes at room temperature, it becomes soft and easy to slice into and spread.
- Regular balsamic vinegar works well with this recipe but if you have a flavored balsamic vinegar, use it. Balsamic reduction also works extremely well is this recipe. This will produce a thicker sauce.
- I like to spread this on bagels or crackers. Then sometimes I stir it all together and use it as a dip where I dip my crackers into it. Eat it however makes you happiest!
- I do not recommend freezing this recipe. When you freeze cream cheese and then let it thaw, the texture is not as creamy and it does not spread well.
- Both pita chips and crackers work well with this recipe. The crunch and granularity of the cracker really helps bring all the flavors and textures together.
- You can also use any leftover strawberry glaze in a bowl of oatmeal, over a scoop of ice cream, spread over a bagel, or mixed in with yogurt and granola!
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2016, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and tips in August 2019.
Lynn
We don’t have the brick style a Philadelphia here, I actually miss it! Do you the the one that comes in the tub (which is all you can find in the UK) will work for this?
Amanda Mason
It would absolutely work! Find a cute cookie cutter and fill it in with cream cheese to make it even cuter!!
Liz
Can you use fresh strawberries instead of frozen ones?
Amanda Mason
No - you'll never get the syrup in the right consistency.
Cynthia
Can I use something other than balsamic vinegar?
Amanda Mason
I've never made this recipe without balsamic vinegar BUT if you don't like balsamic or if you don't have any, just leave it out. Some fresh lime juice might also taste good. Perhaps 1-2 teaspoons. But I've never tried that before.
Dorri
I used fresh strawberries. I chopped and put in a saucepan with sugar and cooked them
Down just until saucy. Perfect
Amanda Mason
Perfect, Dorri!! So glad you liked the recipe!!!
Melissa
Could I make this with any frozen fruit?
Amanda Mason
You can!!
Lucy
What else can be used with strawberry cream cheese dip...maybe graham crackers or Lorna donned or celery reply if you can. Lucy lam35@roadrunner. Com t y
Amanda Mason
Hi Lucy! Such a GREAT question! This would be good with yogurt, in cottage cheese, and oatmeal!
Nance
this sounds amazing. How do you figure how many strawberries are in a cup and a half?
Amanda Mason
What I do is pull out my 2 cup measuring cup and just pour the strawberries in until it fills to the 1.5 cup line. It's easy peasy 🙂