Need a fast appetizer? I make this savory Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread for my New England get-togethers, game nights, and holiday parties. It's simple to make and always a favorite nosh!
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If you love to entertain and host friends and family, you likely have a good stash of classic appetizers to make for the party. Well, I have a recipe that you should absolutely add to that stash!
It couldn't be easier to make Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread. The recipe has just seven ingredients; they're blended together and then chilled. Set it out with some crackers, and your work is done.
The cheese spread has a striking, savory flavor thanks to curry powder, cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions. The recipe was shared with me by a friend, and it's one of my favorite appetizers for get-togethers of all kinds.
In a nutshell... 🐿️
- What this is: Passed along from a dear friend, this Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread is a must-have appetizer at my New England gatherings.
- You'll love this part: It's only 7 ingredients, easy to mix, and perfect to make in advance.
- How it's made: Mix all the ingredients together, then chill.
Jump to:
Folks who love to host love this curry cheese spread
It was years ago when I first I tasted this dish, and not only could I not stop eating it, I also knew I had to have the recipe. It's a good reminder to pay attention to the dishes people bring to share at work, parties, or potlucks. There are so many tasty dishes out there! That's how I discovered one of my family's favorite recipes, Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing; found it at a party.
This particular recipe is Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread. My friend Rebecca made it often for get-togethers, like poker nights and birthday parties. The cheese spread is a family recipe of Rebecca's. It was passed down to her from her late stepmother, Linda, who was famous for her love of hosting and entertaining at the family camp located in the Adirondacks, on Lake George in New York.
Rebecca also made the Curry Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread for the cooking competition we held at our home in Vermont, the Savory Dip Cook-Off. The cheese spread earned Rebecca the award for Best Savory Dip! And she very sweetly shared that our cook-off was just the type of gathering Linda would have loved.
Carrying on in both Linda and Rebecca's tradition, this is one of my favorite appetizers to make for my New England parties and holidays gatherings. I'm so grateful to Rebecca that I get to share it here!
I ♥ cheddar!
Guinness Cheddar Bread
Make this savory quick bread to share as an appetizer, or to enjoy as a side at supper.
Why you'll love this Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread
This Curry Cheese Spread is a thick and intensely flavorful appetizer, with a texture that's perfect for hearty crackers or slices of baguette. Sharp cheddar cheese is blended with curry powder, garlic, black olives, and other ingredients.
The powerful, spicy, and savory flavor is really difficult to resist—something about that combination of spice and cheddar is so freaking delicious! The color is striking too: golden yellow with flecks of jet-black olives and spring-green scallions.
The cheese spread comes together in a snap; just blend everything together. And since the spread needs to be chilled so that the flavors can develop, it's a perfect make-ahead appetizer.
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More cheese, please!
Gougères Cheese Puffs
With a crispy shell and loads of cheese flavor, these airy puffs are a tasty appetizer for any kind of party or get-together.
🔪 How to make Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread
Ingredients:
- Cheddar Cheese: Choose a good, sharp cheddar cheese, such as Cabot brand. You'll get the best texture in the spread when you grate the cheese yourself.
- Curry Powder: This is the spice that gives the spread its addictive flavor. I use a basic curry powder, but there are so many curry blends available, including some spicy blends. Feel free to experiment with your favorite.
- Black Olives: Whole black olives should be chopped before folding them into the spread. If you'd rather, pick up sliced black olives to save some of the prep work time.
- Mayonnaise: Blended into the spread, mayonnaise makes it creamy and rich, with a spreadable texture. My favorite brands of mayo are Hellmann's and Duke's.
- Green onions: Slice up the green parts of the scallions for this spread. Don't throw out the white ends; place them in a cup of water by the window, and they'll regrow!
- Garlic: Just one minced clove provides so much flavor. You can mince it quickly with a sharp kitchen knife. I also like using a ribbon grater for this task.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt helps enhance the flavor of the whole cheese spread.
Combine the ingredients
Stir together the ingredients, including cheese, curry powder, and chopped olives, in a medium bowl.
Chill
Cover the cheese spread and chill it for at least four hours.
Serve!
Scoop the cheese spread into a serving dish, and garnish the top with a few chopped scallions if you'd like. Serve the spread with sturdy crackers, sliced pieces of baguette, or crostini, and a small spreader.
I ♥ curry!
Parsnip Soup with Apples and Curry
A spicy, savory soup inspired by a medieval dinner in Ireland!
Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread FAQs
Yes, you can use other kinds of cheese in this recipe. Try a mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, or cream cheese.
Of course! And here's a way to enjoy this cheddar spread recipe melted: spread the curry cheddar spread onto slices of bread or baguette and arrange them on a lined baking sheet. Place the cheese-topped breads under the broiler for a few minutes, until it's melted and lightly browned. Garnish the toasted breads with sliced green onions and enjoy them warm.
You can absolutely add this cheese and curry spread to sandwiches. Try it in sandwiches made with roasted vegetables, chicken, roast beef, or turkey. Or, make little appetizer sandwiches by spreading the spicy cheddar cheese spread between slices of bread, then cutting the sandwiches into small squares or fingers.
No, I don't recommend freezing this Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread as it will ruin the texture. Fortunately, the cheese spread is quick to out together, so it's easy enough to make on the day of your party.
Tips:
- I find it's better to shred the cheddar cheese yourself; pre-shredded cheese is treated with additives to keep the pieces separate. Shredding the cheese from a block means the cheese will more easily meld into a smooth texture in this spread.
- Remember to account for the chilling time when planning this recipe.
The Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread recipe is below, and here are a few other apps to set out at your party:
💬 Did you make and devour this recipe? Leave a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread
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Ingredients
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (About an 8 ounce block of cheese)
- ½ cup chopped black olives
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
Mix the spread:
- Mix together the 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup chopped black olives, ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 clove garlic, minced, and 1 pinch of salt in a medium-sized bowl until everything is well blended.
Chill:
- Spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Serve:
- Serve the Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread with sturdy crackers, crostini, or small slices of baguette.
- Makes about 4 cups.
To store:
- Any leftover Curry Cheddar Cheese Spread should be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator. It will last for about one week.
Notes
- I find it's better to shred the Cheddar cheese yourself because pre-shredded cheese is treated with additives to keep the pieces separate. Shredding the cheese from a block means the cheese will more easily meld into a smooth texture in this spread.
- Remember to account for the chilling time when preparing this recipe.
Nutrition
Sabrina Jordan says
My coworker made this for a dip competition at work (as it appears the recipe author also did?) and it is amazing. The flavor is robust and unique, the texture is great. It's different than your usual savory dips, and I can't wait to make this myself.
Nancy Mock says
Hi Sabrina! I do hope you make a batch, too. It’s so easy and really unique. Yes, my friend made it for our Dip Cook-Off, and I love that your friend used it to compete too! How did she do?
Nancy