Creamy Appetizer Dip (Printable Version)
Velvety dip with cream cheese, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon, ideal for parties and casual snacking.
# What You Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
02 - Incorporate chives, parsley, garlic, and red bell pepper, mixing thoroughly.
03 - Stir in lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using; adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
05 - Present chilled alongside fresh vegetables, crackers, or chips.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Ready in ten minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
- Works with literally anything people want to dunk in it, from veggie sticks to fancy crackers.
- Tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to get cozy together.
02 -
- Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese leaves little impossible lumps that no amount of stirring fixes.
- Chilling for those 30 minutes transforms this from just mixed ingredients into an actual dip with depth; rushing this step shows.
03 -
- Make this the morning of your gathering so flavors deepen all day, then garnish fresh herbs just before serving so they don't wilt.
- A squeeze of fresh lime instead of lemon creates a different kind of brightness, and your guests will wonder what your secret is.