Veggie Cream Cheese Spread for Bagels

Prep: 10 min8 servingsmedium
Veggie Cream Cheese Spread for Bagels

A fresh, colorful spread combining softened cream cheese with finely chopped raw vegetables including carrots, broccoli, sweet peppers, red onion, and cucumber. Mix until well combined and serve on toasted bagels, toast, or English muffins for a quick, nutritious appetizer or breakfast topping.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 ½ pounds cream cheese, softened
    mascarpone1:1dairy

    similar fat content and tang

    Full guide →
  • 1 cup carrots, grated
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
    cauliflower1:1vegetable

    similar texture and mild flavor

    Full guide →
  • 3 mini sweet peppers, finely diced (red, orange and/or yellow)
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced
    scallions0.5:1vegetable

    milder onion flavor

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup cucumber, finely diced and seeded
    zucchini1:1vegetable

    similar texture, seed and drain well

    Full guide →

Instructions

  1. 1

    Add all ingredients to a stand mixer fitted with flat beater

  2. 2

    Mix until well combined

  3. 3

    Spread on toasted bagels, toast, or English muffins

Tips

Tip 1

Ensure cream cheese is softened before mixing for easiest blending

Tip 2

Finely chop vegetables to distribute evenly throughout the spread

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days

Make Ahead

Prepare up to 2 days in advance and store covered in refrigerator

Serve With

Spread on toasted bagels, toast, or English muffins. Can also serve with crackers or vegetable crudites

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not skip seeding the cucumber to avoid excess moisture that will make the spread watery

Watch

Do not skip softening cream cheese to avoid lumpy texture

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

cream cheese
mascarpone1:1dairy

similar fat content and tang

Full guide →
cream cheese
ricotta1:0.75dairy

lighter texture, drain excess liquid first

Full guide →

General Alternatives

broccoli
cauliflower1:1vegetable

similar texture and mild flavor

Full guide →
red onion
scallions0.5:1vegetable

milder onion flavor

Full guide →
cucumber
zucchini1:1vegetable

similar texture, seed and drain well

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →