Creamy Appetizer Dip (Printable)

Velvety cream cheese blend with fresh herbs and subtle spices, ideal for serving with veggies and crackers.

# What You'll 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 cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise together until smooth and creamy.
02 - Incorporate chives, parsley, garlic, and diced red bell pepper into the mixture, stirring well.
03 - Stir in lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors.
05 - Present chilled alongside fresh vegetables, crackers, or chips.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • The flavor gets better as it sits, so you can make it ahead without stress.
  • People genuinely can't stop eating it, and you'll be known as the person who brought the dip everyone remembers.
02 -
  • Room-temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable—if it's cold, you'll spend 10 minutes beating it and still have lumps.
  • The dip actually tastes better the next day, so make it the day before if you can—the flavors become more balanced and sophisticated.
03 -
  • Make it the day before your event—the flavors meld beautifully overnight, and you'll have one less thing to worry about.
  • If the dip seems too thick, you can thin it slightly with a splash of milk, but do it slowly so you don't oversaturate it.

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