This luxurious Smoked Brie recipe transforms an already delightful cheese into something truly extraordinary. The creamy brie slowly melts under gentle smoke, while prosciutto adds savory crispness, and sweet fig jam, cranberries, and honey create perfect balance. It’s an impressive appetizer that’s surprisingly simple to prepare—perfect for entertaining guests or elevating your next gathering without hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Impressive Yet Easy: Looks like you spent hours creating it, but really takes minimal effort—perfect for wowing guests without the stress!
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of creamy brie, smoky essence, salty prosciutto, and sweet toppings creates a flavor profile that hits all the right notes.
- Versatile Appetizer: Works beautifully for everything from casual get-togethers to holiday gatherings or sophisticated dinner parties.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brie Wheel: The star of the show—choose a fresh wheel with a firm rind that will hold everything together during smoking.
- Prosciutto: Adds a salty, crispy contrast to the creamy cheese. The crispness provides wonderful textural variation.
- Fig Jam: Creates a sweet center that melts gloriously into the cheese. The earthy sweetness complements the smokiness perfectly.
- Fresh Herbs (rosemary or thyme): Brings an aromatic element that elevates all the other flavors and adds beautiful color.
- Fresh Cranberries: Provide bright pops of tartness and stunning visual appeal against the golden cheese.
- Honey: Drizzled on top for additional sweetness and to help the toppings caramelize slightly during smoking.
- Wood Plank: Not an ingredient per se, but essential for proper smoking and imparting that wonderful smoky flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Different Cheese Options
Try smoking camembert for a similar experience, or go for a firmer cheese like a young gouda for a different texture.
Topping Swaps
- Substitute bacon for prosciutto for a smokier, heartier flavor
- Replace fig jam with apricot preserves, hot pepper jelly, or blackberry jam
- Swap cranberries for pomegranate seeds or dried cherries
- Try maple syrup instead of honey for a different sweetness profile
Herb Alternatives
Experiment with fresh basil, sage, or a sprinkle of za’atar for completely different flavor profiles.
How to Make Smoked Brie
Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Soak the wood plank in water for at least 20 minutes—this prevents burning and helps create more smoke. Pat it dry before using. Meanwhile, get your smoker heating to 225°F.
Step 2: Crisp the Prosciutto
In a small cast iron skillet, cook the diced prosciutto over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. This transforms it from soft to wonderfully crunchy. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
Step 3: Assemble Your Brie
Place the whole brie wheel on your soaked wood plank. Make a small divot in the center of the cheese and spoon the fig jam into it. Sprinkle your minced herbs across the top, followed by the crispy prosciutto pieces and fresh cranberries. Finish with a generous drizzle of honey.
Step 4: Smoke to Perfection
Place the wood plank with your assembled brie directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and let the magic happen for about 40-45 minutes. The cheese should be soft throughout but still maintain its shape.
Step 5: Final Touch
For the last 10 minutes, increase the heat to create a light sear on the top, which caramelizes the honey and toppings slightly.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Remove the plank carefully (it’s hot!) and place it on a heat-safe surface or baking sheet. Let the brie rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to settle while still remaining wonderfully gooey for serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Wood Choice Matters: Apple, cherry, or maple wood planks add subtle sweetness that complements the brie beautifully.
- Timing is Everything: The perfect smoked brie should be soft and melty inside but not completely liquified. Start checking around 35 minutes.
- Quality Ingredients: Since there are few ingredients, quality really shows—use a good brie and the best prosciutto you can find.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a steady smoke temperature; too hot and the cheese will collapse, too cool and it won’t melt properly.
- Plank Positioning: Place the plank away from direct flames to avoid burning the bottom of the cheese.
How to Serve
Perfect Pairings
Serve your smoked brie with artisan crackers, sliced baguette, or grilled bread. The crispy vehicles for the gooey cheese create perfect contrast.
Accompaniments
Add some fresh fruit like sliced apples, pears, or grapes to the serving platter. Their fresh crispness complements the rich, smoky cheese.
Beverage Pairings
This appetizer pairs beautifully with:
- A light pinot noir or fruity cabernet
- Crisp cider
- Wheat beer
- Sparkling wine
Make Ahead and Storage
Prep Ahead
You can crisp the prosciutto a day in advance and store it in an airtight container. The brie can be assembled on the plank up to 30 minutes before smoking.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (unlikely!), store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture won’t be as creamy when cold, but it’s still delicious.
Reheating
For best results, let refrigerated leftovers come to room temperature before reheating. Warm gently in a 300°F oven until soft but not completely melted, about 5-7 minutes.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the texture of the cheese will change dramatically.
FAQs
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Can I make this in a regular oven if I don’t have a smoker?
Yes! You can bake the brie at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until soft. To add a touch of smoky flavor, consider adding a drop of liquid smoke to the honey or using smoked prosciutto instead of regular.
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What’s the best way to tell when the brie is perfectly smoked?
The brie should feel very soft when gently pressed but still maintain its shape. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the center should register around 130°F for perfect meltiness without complete collapse.
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Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! Camembert works beautifully as a direct substitute. For a twist, try a wheel of goat cheese, though it won’t melt the same way. Just reduce the smoking time by about 10-15 minutes.
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Is there a vegetarian version I could make?
Definitely! Simply omit the prosciutto and perhaps add some toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for crunch. You could also add extra herbs or a sprinkle of smoked paprika to enhance the smoky notes.
Final Thoughts
This Smoked Brie recipe perfectly balances simplicity and sophistication. With minimal effort, you create something truly memorable—a warm, gooey cheese centerpiece that’s sure to impress. The combination of smoky, creamy, sweet, and salty creates a flavor experience your guests won’t soon forget. Whether for a special occasion or just because, this recipe deserves a spot in your entertaining repertoire!
Print
Smoked Brie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Smoked Brie recipe elevates a classic cheese wheel by infusing it with subtle smoky flavors and topping it with crisped prosciutto, fig jam, herbs, fresh cranberries, and honey. Perfect as an elegant appetizer, the warm melted brie pairs beautifully with crackers or toasted baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing party starter.
Ingredients
For the Smoked Brie
- 1 wheel of brie
- 2 oz diced prosciutto
- 2 tbsp fig jam
- 2 rosemary or thyme sprigs, herbs removed from stems and minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Prep the smoker: Soak a wood plank for smoking in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. After soaking, remove the plank and pat it dry with a towel. Meanwhile, preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F (107°C).
- Crisp the prosciutto: Place the diced prosciutto in a small cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the prosciutto is crisp. Drain any excess fat and set the prosciutto aside.
- Assemble the brie: Place the brie wheel onto the soaked wood smoking plank. Carefully spread the fig jam in the center of the brie. Sprinkle the minced herbs, crisped prosciutto, and fresh cranberries over the top. Drizzle the honey evenly over everything.
- Smoke the brie: Place the prepared wood plank with the assembled brie onto the smoker or grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until the brie has softened throughout. For the final 10 minutes, increase the heat to sear for a nice finish on the toppings.
- Rest and serve: Carefully remove the wood plank from the grill and set it on a baking sheet. Allow the brie to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve the smoked brie warm with crackers and/or toasted baguette slices.
Notes
- Use any favorite wood for smoking; fruit woods like apple or cherry add a mild, sweet flavor.
- If you don’t have a smoker, this can be done on a standard grill with indirect heat and wood chips for smoking.
- Feel free to swap out cranberries for dried fruit like apricots or figs for a different flavor profile.
- Keep an eye on the brie during the last 10 minutes to avoid over-melting and spilling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 wheel (approx. 40g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
