If you’re a fan of tangy goat cheese, get ready to fall in love.
Because this whipped goat cheese with bacon and caramelized onions is about as dreamy as it gets.
It’s rich, meaty, sweet, and deliciously savory. Serve it with chips, breadsticks, crackers, and more. No matter what you pick, you’ll love it!
Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Goat cheese is noticeably tangy. And it’s got a soft, velvety texture that’s great on its own.
But if you’re a foodie, you’ll know that goat cheese pairs exceptionally well with sweet toppings.
So, while there’s plenty of bacon and herbs in the mix, there’s also a generous layer of sweet caramelized onions.
Seriously, whether you spread it on a toasted baguette, dip veggies into it, or even spread a layer into your next grilled cheese, each mouthful promises a delightful play of tastes and textures.
The crispy bacon flawlessly contrasts the creamy base, while the gentle sweetness of honey-drizzled onions balances its savory components.
Here’s what you’ll need.
Ingredients
For the Dip Base:
- Goat Cheese (at room temperature): Provides the main flavor and creamy texture of the dip.
- Cream Cheese (at room temperature): Adds creaminess and helps to balance the tanginess of the goat cheese.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a rich, smooth texture to the dip, making it more spreadable.
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: Adds an aromatic and herbal note to complement the cheeses.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the overall flavors and provide seasoning.
For the Toppings:
- Bacon Strips: Offer a smoky, salty crunch that contrasts with the creamy dip.
- Large Onion: When caramelized, it provides sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Honey: Adds sweetness that balances the savory and tangy elements.
- Extra Thyme Leaves for Garnish: Provides an additional aroma and a visual element.
How to Make Whipped Goat Cheese
Making the Dip:
- Blend goat cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, and thyme in a food processor until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl.
Preparing the Toppings:
- Cook bacon until crispy, drain, and crumble.
- In the same skillet, caramelize onions in remaining bacon fat.
- Add honey to onions and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Assembling:
- Top the cheese mixture with caramelized onions.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the onions.
- Optional: Drizzle extra honey and garnish with thyme.
Recipe Variations
If you’re intrigued by this recipe but want something a little different, check out these fun variations!
Sweet Variations
1. Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Fresh Berries and Mint
- Toppings: Fresh raspberries, blueberries, and mint leaves
- Herbs/Spices: A dash of vanilla extract
- Additional: Drizzle of maple syrup
- Instructions: Follow the base recipe for the whipped goat cheese, adding a dash of vanilla extract. Top with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, and garnish with mint leaves.
2. Whipped Goat Cheese with Spiced Apple Compote
- Toppings: Spiced apple compote
- Herbs/Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Additional: Drizzle of caramel sauce
- Instructions: Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the base whipped goat cheese recipe. Top with spiced apple compote and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Savory Variations
1. Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
- Toppings: Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- Herbs/Spices: Fresh basil and a sprinkle of garlic powder
- Additional: Drizzle of olive oil
- Instructions: Add a sprinkle of garlic powder and finely chopped basil to the base recipe. Top with sun-dried tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Jalapeños and Cilantro
- Toppings: Sliced jalapeños
- Herbs/Spices: Fresh cilantro and a dash of cumin
- Additional: Squeeze of lime
- Instructions: Add a dash of cumin and finely chopped cilantro to the base recipe. Top with sliced jalapeños and a squeeze of lime for some tang.
3. Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary
- Toppings: Roasted garlic cloves
- Herbs/Spices: Fresh rosemary
- Additional: Drizzle of truffle oil (optional)
- Instructions: To the base recipe, add finely chopped rosemary. Top with roasted garlic cloves and an optional drizzle of truffle oil for added luxury.
Serving Suggestions
Need some ideas for what to serve with goat cheese dip? Well, you can use pretty much anything, to be honest.
Though since this stuff is so good and overloaded with fun extras, I suggest something thick enough to handle a big scoop!
- Toasted Baguette Slices: The classic choice, with a crispy exterior and a chewy interior that pairs wonderfully with the creamy dip.
- Crackers: Choose from a range of whole-grain, herb-flavored, or even gluten-free options.
- Vegetable Sticks: Think carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Zucchini is a nice choice, too.
- Pita Chips: These add a hearty crunch and pair well with the savory elements of the dip.
- Bagel Chips: My all-time fave! You just can’t beat them - especially when they’re covered in everything bagel seasoning.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
The only part of this recipe that’s even remotely complicated is caramelizing the onions. And that’s not hard, it’s just time-consuming.
That said, here are some tips to make sure your dip comes out perfect!
Caramelizing Onions
Cooking Low and Slow: The secret to well-caramelized onions is cooking them slowly over low heat. High heat will cook the onions too quickly, and they’ll burn before they caramelize.
Stirring: It’s essential to stir the onions occasionally but not too often. The idea is to let the sugars caramelize, but you need to keep them from sticking to the pan.
Use a Wide Pan: Using a wide pan ensures the heat is evenly distributed so all the onions cook uniformly.
Butter vs. Oil: Some people prefer butter for a richer flavor, while others opt for olive oil. To be honest, you won’t really notice in the end.
Deglaze the Pan: If the onions are sticking or the pan is getting too dry, add a splash of water or some white wine to lift those flavorful bits from the pan.
Cooking Bacon
Start Cold: If you cook bacon from a cold pan, the fat renders slowly, resulting in crispy bacon and not burnt pieces.
Medium Heat: Cooking bacon over medium heat allows it to cook evenly without burning.
Turn Frequently: Make sure to turn the strips frequently for even cooking and crispiness.
Drain on Paper Towels: Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the pan and let it drain on paper towels to soak up the excess fat.
Choosing Goat Cheese
Fresh is Best: Look for fresh goat cheese that has a clear expiration date and appears moist but not watery.
Type of Goat Cheese: There are several types of goat cheese with varying textures, from crumbly to creamy. I prefer creamy since you’ll be whipping it and want a smooth texture.
Flavor: Plain goat cheese works well as it takes on the flavors of the added ingredients. And it’ll let you modify the recipe. But you could use a herb-infused variety for extra flavor.
Quality: High-quality goat cheese provides a creamier, richer flavor. But as long as it’s not watery, you should be fine.
Easy Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
Ingredients:
- For the Goat Cheese Dip
- 8 oz goat cheese, at room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Toppings
- 4 strips of bacon
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Extra thyme leaves for garnish
Method:
- Make the Goat Cheese Dip
- In a food processor, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, and fresh thyme.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and set aside.
- Preparing the Toppings
- Add the bacon to a cold skillet, then cook over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a paper towel to drain excess fat. Once cool, crumble into small pieces.
- In the same skillet, remove excess bacon fat, leaving about a tablespoon for the onions.
- Add the thinly sliced onions and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until they become caramelized and golden brown. This could take up to 15-20 minutes.
- Drizzle the honey over the caramelized onions and stir for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Dip
- Spoon the caramelized onions over the whipped goat cheese mixture in the serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top.
- Drizzle a little more honey over the top for added sweetness, if desired.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve immediately with crackers, sliced baguette, or vegetable sticks.