If you've never had Benedictine spread, you're in for a treat!
If you’ve never had Benedictine spread, you’re in for a treat. This cool, creamy dip has been a Kentucky staple for over a century, and once you try it, it’s easy to see why it never goes out of style. The name comes from Louisville caterer and cookbook author Jennie Carter Benedict, the woman who originally created it. Made with Neufchatel cheese, fresh cucumber, and green onion, it’s light, tangy, and just a little bit herby in the best possible way.
In true WOT fashion, we put our own spin on it, swapping cream cheese for Neufchatel and leaving out the mayonnaise so it comes out lighter without losing any of that signature creaminess.
The best part? It comes together in minutes with ingredients you can grab at any grocery store. Benedictine is traditionally served as a sandwich filling or alongside crudites, but honestly, once you have a bowl of it in the fridge, you’ll find yourself putting it on everything. It keeps beautifully for several days, which makes it a great make-ahead option when you’re planning a get-together and want one less thing to worry about the day of.
Kentucky Benedictine Spread
Ingredients
- 1 8oz package of Neufchatel cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup finely chopped English cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp dill weed
- 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
- additional sliced green onion
- Sliced fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, and radishes
- Small crackers
Instructions
- Wash and split the English cucumber down the middle. Using a teaspoon, remove all the seeds by pressing the tip of the teaspoon into the top edge of the seeds and running straight down to the bottom of the seeded section.
- In a large bowl, combine the Neufchatel cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, dill weed, cayenne, chopped cucumbers, and green onion. Using a couple of forks, you can break the cheese apart by hand and then stir together to incorporate.
Enjoy!
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All photos by Lorianne DeVita
