Homemade Boursin Cheese (Easy Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread)

If you love Boursin cheese, you’ll be happy to know that making your own garlic and herb cheese spread at home is easy. With cream cheese, butter, garlic, herbs, and a few pantry staples, you can make a creamy, flavorful spread that disappears on a cheese board. Plus, it's more economical than buying a round at the store.

this …

This homemade Boursin-style cheese takes just minutes to prepare, and you can make it ahead of time for parties, holidays, or just as an easy appetizer whenever friends stop by. Keep a container in the fridge, and you’ll always have something delicious to serve with drinks or add to a snack board.

Why You'll Love This Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe

• Easy to make: No cooking is required, and the ingredients are easy to find.
• Creamy and flavorful: Cream cheese and butter create a rich, smooth base for onion and garlic powder and fresh herbs.
• Perfect for entertaining: Serve it with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetables.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prepare in advance so the flavors have time to develop.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the garlic, herbs, pepper, and salt to suit your taste.

What is Boursin Cheese?

Boursin is a popular French-style soft cheese known for its creamy texture and garlic-and-herb flavor. It's often served as an appetizer with crackers or bread, but it's also delicious spread on sandwiches, stirred into pasta, or used to flavor vegetables.

This homemade garlic herb cheese uses cream cheese and butter instead of the traditional Gournay cheese. Garlic powder, onion powder, fresh chives, parsley, white pepper, and a little white wine vinegar create a similar savory, herb-filled flavor.

It's a simple way to make a delicious cheese spread at home without having to buy a specialty cheese and it will probably save you a few bucks!

Ingredients for This Cheese Spread Recipe

Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for a rich, creamy spread. Let it soften at room temperature so it blends easily. However, I'm not telling you that lowfat works also!

Salted butter: Butter adds richness and helps create a smooth, spreadable texture. Soften it before mixing. I use the cultured butter but any butter will work.

Garlic powder: Garlic powder gives the cheese its familiar savory flavor without adding moisture or the sharp bite of raw garlic.

Onion powder: A little onion powder rounds out the garlic flavor and adds depth.

Kosher salt: Start with the amount in the recipe and add more if needed. Since both the cream cheese and salted butter contain salt, taste before adding extra.

White wine vinegar: A small amount adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the butter and cream cheese. I see many recipes that use lemon juice, but I think white wine vinegar is better. A store bought round contains a preservative which is what vinegar also does.

White pepper: Ground white pepper gives the spread a mild peppery flavor without adding visible black specks.

Fresh chives or garlic chives: Finely chopped chives add a delicate onion flavor. Garlic chives are another good option if you want a little more garlic flavor.

Italian parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and a clean, fresh herbal taste.

Just 3 Steps To Make Boursin Cheese Substitute

This recipe comes together in just two simple steps.

1. Combine All Ingredients Except Fresh Herbs in Food Processor

Allow the cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature. They should be soft enough to blend smoothly but not melted.

Place the cream cheese and butter, onion and garlic powder, salt and ground white pepper along with the vinegar in a food processor. Using the steel blade, blend until smooth and creamy.

2. Fold in the Fresh Herbs

Add the finely chopped chives and Italian parsley. Mix until the herbs are evenly incorporated throughout the cheese.

Taste the mixture and adjust the salt or seasonings as desired.

3. Mold and Chill Before Serving

I used a 2" tall individual souffle dish lined with plastic wrap to place the cheese in. Leave enough overhang to cover the cheese. Chilling helps the cheese spread firm up and gives the garlic and herb flavors time to blend. Plan on at least a few hours for the cheese to firm up. I left mine overnight and was quite happy with the results.

Unmold the round of cheese and place it on a cheese board. Serve with a small knife and let everyone serve themselves.

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Boursin Cheese

Use room-temperature ingredients. Softened cream cheese and butter blend much more easily, giving you a smooth spread without lumps.

Chop the herbs finely. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly and make the cheese tastier.

Taste before adding more salt. Salted butter and cream cheese already contribute saltiness, so you may not need much additional seasoning.

Give time to chill. Although you can eat it immediately, refrigerating the cheese before serving allows the flavors to develop.

Let cheese soften slightly before serving. If the cheese has been refrigerated for several hours or overnight, let it sit at room temperature briefly so it's easier to spread. Don't leave out more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.

Ways to Use Homemade Copycat Boursin Cheese

This garlic and herb cheese spread is versatile enough for both entertaining and everyday meals.

• On a cheese board: Serve with crackers, toasted baguette slices, breadsticks, olives, and fresh vegetables. We also love it with ripe cantaloupe.
• As a crostini topping: Spread on toasted bread and finish with sliced radishes, tomatoes, or additional fresh herbs.
• In sandwiches and wraps: Use it instead of plain cream cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
• With baked potatoes: Add a spoonful to a hot baked potato or roasted baby potatoes.
• In pasta: Stir a little into warm pasta with a splash of pasta water to make a creamy sauce.
• With roasted vegetables: Serve alongside roasted carrots, potatoes, asparagus, or cauliflower.
• As an easy appetizer: Pair with cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, celery, and your favorite crackers. or try my favorite dip with roasted tomatoes.
• Scrambled Eggs: Cook your scrambled eggs low and slow with lots of butter. Before they are almost done dollop the eggs with a few tablespoons of your copycat Boursin cheese and mix in. I promise-best scrambled eggs ever!
• Bagels: Use instead of chive cream cheese.

Can You Make Homemade Boursin Cheese Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is an excellent make-ahead appetizer. Prepare the cheese spread a day in advance and keep covered in the refrigerator. The garlic, onion, and herbs will have time to blend together, making it especially flavorful.

Before serving, unmold and let soften slightly.

How to Store Homemade Boursin Cheese

Store homemade Boursin-style cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because this recipe contains cream cheese, butter, and fresh herbs, keep it refrigerated between servings.

So far, my boursin has been in the fridge several weeks tightly covered.

I don't recommend leaving this homemade version at room temperature for extended periods or treating it as shelf-stable cheese.

Need to Know More?

More Easy Appetizer Ideas

If you enjoy simple appetizers that are easy to prepare ahead of time, serve this homemade garlic and herb cheese alongside other favorites from This Is How I Cook.

• Boursin Cheese with Roasted Tomatoes
• Radish Crostini with Lemon Cheese Spread or Homemade Boursin
• Egg Salad
• Olive Biscuits Scourtins

A small bowl of homemade Boursin-style cheese, a basket of crackers, and some fresh vegetables make an easy appetizer spread with very little effort.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Boursin cheese is one of those recipes that proves an appetizer doesn't need to be complicated to be good. Cream cheese, butter, garlic, and fresh herbs come together in minutes to make a creamy, savory spread you'll want to keep on hand.

Make it for your next gathering, add it to a cheese board, or enjoy it with crackers for an afternoon snack. Once you see how easy it is, you may find yourself making this garlic and herb cheese spread, instead of buying it.

Print

Recipe