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Garlic Dip
Cheesy, spicy, and lick-the-bowl delicious, my Creamy Garlic Dip just might attain GOAT status in the dip category. Made in just 10 minutes using 6 simple ingredients, this is a zesty addition to any appetizer buffet!
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
If you’re anything like me and my family, no amount of garlic is ever TOO MUCH garlic. We’re full-throated supporters of enough garlic to keep all the vampires at bay. It’s easily one of my most used ingredients.
So, creating a creamy, cheesy, delicious dip centered around our favorite allium seemed like a totally natural thing to do. Aside from being addictively delicious, this spicy, creamy garlic dip recipe is:
- Made With Just 6 Ingredients. Don’t you just love short grocery lists? Me too.
- Meal-Prep & Budget-Friendly. You can easily prep this shareable app up to a week in advance, and a big ol’ bowlful won’t cost more than $5 to make. I call that a win-win.
- Takes Just 10 Minutes To Make. Or even less if you buy pre-peeled garlic and use a garlic press!
- Super Versatile. Yes, this is a dip that tastes great with all the snack table regulars like raw veggies, pretzels, crackers, or potato chips. But it’s ALSO an excellent spread for sandwiches and falafel, is easy to turn into a dipping sauce for pizza, and can even be served with smoked salmon and eggs for a fancy breakfast.
Ingredients For Creamy Garlic Dip
You don’t need much to make this garlic cream cheese dip. Here’s your whole shopping list:
- Cream Cheese – Full-fat will forever be my favorite way to do any dairy, but you can swap in Neufchatel cheese or plant-based cream cheese if you prefer!
- Sour Cream – You can easily substitute plain Greek yogurt, or any dairy-free sour cream or plain yogurt you please.
- Garlic Cloves – This is a garlic dip, after all, so make sure to use fresh cloves for the best flavor.
- Fresh Chives – I love the delicate allium flavor and tender stems of fresh chives. Feel free to use thinly sliced scallions, finely chopped scallions, or your favorite tender herb(s) instead.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – Don’t forget your seasonings!
How To Make Garlic Dip
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions.
This creamy garlic cheese dip comes together in no time. Here’s how it’s done:
- Beat cream cheese and sour cream with an electric hand or stand mixer until well combined.
- Stir in garlic, chives, salt, and pepper.
- Serve. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with fresh cracked black pepper and a few chopped chives. Enjoy!
FAQs
What should I do if I get heartburn from raw garlic?
Try roasting the cloves first! Their natural sugars will caramelize, and the acid reflux-causing compound known as allicin will be tamed. To roast the cloves, cut the top off a head of garlic to expose the tops of the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap tightly in foil, and bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes, or until the cloves are soft. If you do this, you won’t need to mince the garlic at all; it’ll blend right into the cream cheese like a savory, sweet paste.
What should I do with leftover dip?
This creamy garlic cheese goodness isn’t just for dipping. Try using it on your next sandwich or wrap in place of mayo, use it to garnish your favorite grain bowls, or serve it as a spread on lox and bagels. If you love garlic, you’ll find no shortage of uses for this dip.
Serving Suggestions + Pairs Well With
I like to serve this garlicky dip in a bowl with a fresh sprinkling of chopped chives, and maybe a drizzle of EVOO if I’m feeling extra. It pairs well with all sorts of foods including but not limited to:
- Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus – This is some serious flavor-on-flavor magic.
- Crudites – This creamy dip is practically begging for crunchy raw veggies!
- Chips, Crackers, and Crostini – Salty crispy things are also an excellent choice.
- Smoked Salmon or Cured Meats – Feel free to use this on your next charcuterie platter, or serve it with your favorite pescatarian breakfast.
- Steamed Artichokes – Nutty, sweet steamed artichoke petals are immediately livened by this zesty dip.
Variations
I’d be lying if I told you I was anything less than completely enamored with this creamy garlic cream cheese dip, but taste is totally personal. Here are a few suggested edits to tweak this recipe to your exact specifications:
- Roasted Garlic – Try roasting the garlic first for a whole new level of flavor. The spice level will mellow to non-existent, but the nutty sweetness of roasted garlic will shine through!
- Garlic Yogurt Sauce – Lighten things up a bit by swapping in Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Make It A Dipping Sauce For Pizza – Thin your dip out with a few tablespoons of cream, milk, or buttermilk to make a creamy garlic sauce that perfect consistency for serving with your favorite Za.
- Garlic and Herb Dip – Add several tablespoons of your favorite fresh, tender, minced herbs. Dill, parsley, cilantro, or mint can all be used in different contexts. While you’re at it, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to take your garlic herb dip up a notch.
- Vegan – Opt for your favorite plant-based sour cream and cream cheese substitutes.
Storage
Prepared dip will keep in the fridge for up to a week. For the best presentation, don’t add the fresh chives until right before serving.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened or the dip will end up looking a little curdled. If you forgot to take it out of the fridge in time, you can zap it in the microwave in 10-second increments until it’s soft.
- Use a garlic press to cut back on prep time. Mincing can take some time, so a garlic press is your friend here. Remember, the smaller the garlic, the more pungent it is, and we want ALL that spicy flavor.
- Pre-peeled garlic is an excellent shortcut. Otherwise…
- …the easiest way to peel large amounts of garlic is to separate the head into cloves, plunge them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then drain and peel. The skins should pop right off!
More Garlic-Lover’s Appetizer Recipes
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Garlic Dip
Creamy, spicy and totally irresistible my Creamy Garlic Dip is ready in just 10 minutes with 6 ingredients, for a zesty addition to any party.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10 medium-large garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced chives plus some for garnish
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and sour cream with an electric hand mixer until well combined.
- Stir in garlic, chives, salt and pepper.
- Pour into a serving dish and garnish with fresh cracked black pepper and a few chopped chives. Serve with raw veggies, pretzels and/or potato chips.
Notes
Prepared garlic dip will keep in the fridge for up to a week. For the best presentation, don’t add the fresh chives until right before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 444mgPotassium: 181mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1302IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 0.3mg
