Name: Creamy Herb Veggie Dip
Ingredients: Cream Cheese (8 ounces / 226g), softened: Forms the rich, decadent, and tangy base of the dip. Using full-fat cream cheese yields the creamiest result, but neufchâtel or light cream cheese can be substituted for a lighter version. Ensure it’s properly softened for smooth mixing.; Sour Cream (1/2 cup / 120g): Adds moisture, a pleasant tanginess, and contributes to the creamy consistency. Full-fat or light sour cream works well.; Greek Yogurt (1/2 cup / 120g): Introduces another layer of tang, boosts the protein content slightly, and helps create a luscious texture without relying solely on higher-fat ingredients. Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat) is essential.; Mayonnaise (1/4 cup / 60g): Lends a smooth richness and subtle savory depth that rounds out the flavors. Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best taste.; Fresh Dill (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Provides a distinctive, slightly grassy, and fresh flavor that is iconic in creamy dips. Measure after chopping.; Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Adds a bright, clean, and slightly peppery note. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is generally preferred for its robust flavor, but curly parsley works too. Measure after chopping.; Fresh Chives (1 tablespoon, finely chopped): Imparts a delicate oniony-garlic flavor without being overpowering. Their bright green flecks also add visual appeal. Measure after chopping.; Garlic (1-2 cloves, minced or grated): Provides a pungent, savory kick. Adjust the amount based on your preference for garlic intensity. Using a microplane or garlic press ensures it integrates smoothly.; Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon, fresh): Cuts through the richness of the dairy and brightens all the flavors, adding a necessary acidic lift. Freshly squeezed is highly recommended over bottled.; Onion Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, savory onion background note that complements the fresh chives.; Salt (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste): Enhances all the other flavors. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust after tasting. Kosher salt or sea salt is preferred.; Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste): Adds a touch of warmth and spice. Freshly ground pepper offers superior flavor.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly versatile and delicious dip:

Cream Cheese (8 ounces / 226g), softened: Forms the rich, decadent, and tangy base of the dip. Using full-fat cream cheese yields the creamiest result, but neufchâtel or light cream cheese can be substituted for a lighter version. Ensure it’s properly softened for smooth mixing.
Sour Cream (1/2 cup / 120g): Adds moisture, a pleasant tanginess, and contributes to the creamy consistency. Full-fat or light sour cream works well.
Greek Yogurt (1/2 cup / 120g): Introduces another layer of tang, boosts the protein content slightly, and helps create a luscious texture without relying solely on higher-fat ingredients. Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat) is essential.
Mayonnaise (1/4 cup / 60g): Lends a smooth richness and subtle savory depth that rounds out the flavors. Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best taste.
Fresh Dill (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Provides a distinctive, slightly grassy, and fresh flavor that is iconic in creamy dips. Measure after chopping.
Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Adds a bright, clean, and slightly peppery note. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is generally preferred for its robust flavor, but curly parsley works too. Measure after chopping.
Fresh Chives (1 tablespoon, finely chopped): Imparts a delicate oniony-garlic flavor without being overpowering. Their bright green flecks also add visual appeal. Measure after chopping.
Garlic (1-2 cloves, minced or grated): Provides a pungent, savory kick. Adjust the amount based on your preference for garlic intensity. Using a microplane or garlic press ensures it integrates smoothly.
Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon, fresh): Cuts through the richness of the dairy and brightens all the flavors, adding a necessary acidic lift. Freshly squeezed is highly recommended over bottled.
Onion Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, savory onion background note that complements the fresh chives.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste): Enhances all the other flavors. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust after tasting. Kosher salt or sea salt is preferred.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste): Adds a touch of warmth and spice. Freshly ground pepper offers superior flavor.

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Instructions

Follow these simple steps to whip up your Creamy Herb Veggie Dip:

Prepare the Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensure your cream cheese is thoroughly softened. This is crucial for a lump-free dip. You can leave it on the counter for about 30-60 minutes before starting, or carefully soften it in the microwave on low power in short bursts (be careful not to melt it). Add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise to the bowl.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise together until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and completely homogenous. Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is incorporated evenly. There should be no visible lumps of cream cheese.
Add Herbs and Aromatics: Add the finely chopped fresh dill, parsley, and chives to the creamy base. Add the minced or grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir everything together gently with a spoon or spatula until the herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the dip. Be careful not to overmix if using an electric mixer at this stage, as it can sometimes make the herbs release too much moisture.
Taste and Adjust: Give the dip a taste. Does it need more salt? More pepper? A bigger squeeze of lemon juice for brightness? More garlic for punch? Adjust the seasonings according to your preference. Remember that the flavors will meld and become slightly more pronounced as the dip chills.
Chill for Flavor: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the dip to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. For the best flavor development, chilling for 1-2 hours is highly recommended. This allows the herbs and garlic to fully infuse the creamy base.
Serve: Once chilled, give the dip a final stir. Transfer it to your desired serving bowl. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra chopped fresh herbs (like dill or chives) or a dash of paprika for color, if desired. Serve chilled with your favorite dippables.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 100