Liptauer with Rye Toast and Pickled Red Onions

A creamy Austrian-style cheese spread made with butter, quark (or Greek yogurt), paprika, and herbs. This flavorful appetizer is served with toasted rye bread and pickled red onions for a delicious combination of textures and tastes.

8 servings

20 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•½ clove garlic
•½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
•¾ cup butter
•1 cup quark or Greek yogurt
•2 tablespoons cornichons
•2 tablespoons chives
•1 tablespoon onion
•1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika
•1½ teaspoons white wine vinegar
•¼ teaspoon Hungarian hot paprika
•8 slices rye bread
•1 cup Pickled Red Onions

Cooking Instructions

1.
Mash garlic and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt in small bowl with back of spoon until paste forms. Using electric mixer, beat butter in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Add garlic paste, quark, and next 6 ingredients; fold to combine. Season with salt and more vinegar, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, then stir before using.
15 min
2.
Serve with rye toast and drained Pickled Red Onions.
5 min
3.
A slightly tangy, soft unripened cow's-milk cheese; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores (such as Whole Foods markets) and natural foods stores.
4.
** Tiny brine-packed French pickles; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
5.
Pair the flavorful Liptauer with a big white Austrian wine. We like the Hiedler 2008 "Löss" Grüner Veltliner ($16), a yeasty wine with a nice acidity.

Ingredients

•½ clove garlic

•½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt

•¾ cup butter

•1 cup quark or Greek yogurt

•2 tablespoons cornichons

•2 tablespoons chives

•1 tablespoon onion

•1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika

•1½ teaspoons white wine vinegar

•¼ teaspoon Hungarian hot paprika

•8 slices rye bread

•1 cup Pickled Red Onions

Cooking Instructions

Mash garlic and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt in small bowl with back of spoon until paste forms. Using electric mixer, beat butter in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Add garlic paste, quark, and next 6 ingredients; fold to combine. Season with salt and more vinegar, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, then stir before using.

15 min

Serve with rye toast and drained Pickled Red Onions.

5 min

A slightly tangy, soft unripened cow's-milk cheese; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores (such as Whole Foods markets) and natural foods stores.

** Tiny brine-packed French pickles; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Pair the flavorful Liptauer with a big white Austrian wine. We like the Hiedler 2008 "Löss" Grüner Veltliner ($16), a yeasty wine with a nice acidity.