Make the holidays extra special this year with this incredibly delicious, festive and easy-to-make Whipped Goat Cheese with Lime and Pomegranate. Perfect for dipping, dunking and spreading. Best of all, ready to go in 20 minutes!
What better way to spend the most magically time of the year with friends and family..and good food! This simply delicious Whipped Goat Cheese with Lime and Pomegranate is sure to stun at your next holiday potluck, gathering or dinner. Feel extra festive with the garnish which reminds me of a Christmas wreath.
You will love this quick and easy holiday appetizer! It's no fuss, with little cooking and prep and its easy to transport! The flavors of lime and pomegranate are unexpectedly fruity and bright with the creaminess of the dip.
Appetizers, sides and dessert always taste better during the holidays. It's just a fact. End, the evening with a Hot Chocolate Milano Cookie "Tiramisu" with Bailey's Irish Cream, an easier version of Tiramisu. No baking required!
Why this Recipe Works
- Quick with very little cook time!
- Simply elegant
- Festive colors and looks like an edible wreath
- Fruity, bright, creamy and delicious
Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Goat Cheese - plain is best to really let the lime and pomegranate flavors to come through. You'll want to soften it to room temperature for an hour prior to making.
- Cream Cheese - any plain cream cheese will do. Can use a reduced-fat cream cheese to lighten up the dip. You will also want to soften to room temperature as well.
- Pomegranate seeds- adds a burst of fruity flavor and crunch to the whipped goat cheese and makes for a pretty presentation that fits the Holiday theme.
- Mint - adds a beautiful vibrant green color but also adds a delicious cool yet slightly spicy flavor
- Lime - a burst of tart and acidity that pairs beautiful with the sweetness of the pomegranates
- Bread, crackers, crostini - feel free to serve the dip with whatever you like! I love crostini or crackers for an added crunch but you could use slices of french baguette or even crisp sliced apples
Step by Step Instructions
- In a sauce pan, add in pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring to a simmer and reduce until glaze becomes thick. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
- In a high-powered blender or food processor, blend goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil and lime juice, and all the lime zest except for 2 teaspoons. Blend together until combined and creamy.
- Spread whipped goat cheese into a bowl, making sure to create a small well in the middle. Add in room temperature pomegranate balsamic syrup into the well.
- Top with pomegranate arils, mint (chiffonade and whole), and leftover lime zest and serve with accompaniments of your choice.
Expert Tips
- Room temperature is key : If the cream cheese and goat cheese is too cold it will not blend out smoothly as much as it would if it were room temperature.
- Cool your glaze!: Cooling the pomegranate balsamic glaze to room temperature ensures it will not be too hot when poured over the lime whipped goat cheese. If its too hot, it could melt the whipped goat cheese and make the presentation not as nice.
- Save time and stay clean: opening pomegranates can be a messy and time consuming. Some grocery stores sell just the pomegranate arils. I have found them in the produce aisle in a refrigerated section in plastic cup containers.
Whipped Goat Cheese with Lime and Pomegranate FAQ
Yes, simple make the whipped goat cheese and the pomegranate balsamic syrup a day in advance. Keep both separate in airtight containers with the goat cheese kept in the fridge and the syrup at room temperature.
The day of serving, remove the dip from the refrigerator about an hour before serving making sure to create a well in the center. Pour the syrup into the well and top with pomegranate seeds, lime zest, and mint right before serving.
Since it’s difficult to tell how thick a reduction is while warm, it’s easy to reduce it too much. You can thin it out by adding in a teaspoon of pomegranate juice until the correct consistency is reached.
Check out this video on the best way to open a pomegranate!
Cream cheese is an important ingredient which helps the recipe stay creamy and smooth. You can try using something like sour cream instead which will make it creamy and smooth but will also make the recipe thinner and more like a dip instead of a spread and flavor wise will make the dip more tangy.
You Might Also Like
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page? I always appreciate feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Whipped Goat Cheese with Lime and Pomegranate
Ingredients
- ½ cup pomegranate juice concentrate
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 ounces goat cheese plan
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 limes juices and zested
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt to taste
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
- mint for garnish
- baguette, crostini, crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a sauce pan, add in pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring to a simmer and reduce until glaze becomes thick. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
- In a high-powered blender or food processor, blend goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil and lime juice, and all the lime zest except for 2 teaspoons. Blend together until combined and creamy.
- Spread whipped goat cheese into a bowl, making sure to create a small well in the middle. Add in room temperature pomegranate balsamic syrup into the well.
- Top with pomegranate seeds, mint chiffonade and whole, and lime zest and serve with accompaniments of your choice.
Notes
- Room temperature is key : If the cream cheese and goat cheese is too cold it will not blend out smoothly as much as it would if it were room temperature.
- Cool your glaze!: Cooling the pomegranate balsamic glaze to room temperature ensures it will not be too hot when poured over the lime whipped goat cheese. If its too hot, it could melt whipped goat cheese and make the presentation not as nice.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!