Quick Ricotta Yogurt Dip

Finding a reliable party appetizer that’s both tasty and easy to whip up can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between juggling work deadlines, family commitments, and social obligations, the last thing anyone needs is a complicated recipe that takes hours to prepare and leaves the kitchen looking like a disaster zone.

That’s where this ricotta yogurt dip comes to the rescue: it’s quick to make, uses ingredients you probably already have in your fridge, and can be customized with different herbs and seasonings to match whatever else you’re serving.

What Kind of Ricotta Should I Use?

For this creamy dip, you can use either whole-milk or part-skim ricotta cheese – both will give you good results. Whole-milk ricotta tends to be a bit richer and creamier, while part-skim offers a slightly lighter option without sacrificing too much texture. The most important thing is to look for fresh ricotta that feels smooth rather than grainy – check the date and avoid anything that’s been sitting in your fridge for too long. If your ricotta seems a bit watery when you open it, you can strain it in a fine-mesh sieve for about 30 minutes before using it in your dip. This will help create a thicker, more spreadable consistency.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy dip is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps if needed:

• Ricotta cheese: If you’re out of ricotta, you can use cottage cheese (blended until smooth) or cream cheese softened at room temperature. Keep in mind that cream cheese will make the dip thicker, so you might need to add a splash of milk.
• Greek yogurt: Regular plain yogurt works too, but strain it first using a cheesecloth for about 30 minutes to remove excess liquid. You could also use sour cream as a direct substitute.
• Fresh thyme: No fresh thyme? Use an extra 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme instead. Fresh basil or oregano would also work well here.
• Italian herb mix: Make your own by mixing equal parts dried basil, oregano, and rosemary. Or use Herbs de Provence or just dried oregano in the same amount.
• Lemon juice: You can swap this with lime juice or white wine vinegar – just start with half the amount and adjust to taste.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making ricotta yogurt dip is using cold ingredients straight from the fridge, which can result in a lumpy texture – letting your ricotta and yogurt come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing will help create that perfectly smooth consistency.

When it comes to garlic, using pre-minced or old garlic can give your dip a bitter taste, so it’s best to use fresh garlic and mince it right before mixing into your dip.

Too much lemon juice can make your dip runny and overly tart, so start with half the amount and adjust to taste – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

For the best flavor development, let your dip rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving, and remember to give it a quick stir and taste for seasoning adjustments just before bringing it to the table.

What to Serve With Ricotta Yogurt Dip?

This creamy dip is perfect for setting out at parties or casual get-togethers with all sorts of dipping options. Fresh vegetables like cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers make great healthy choices that complement the herbs in the dip. For bread options, try toasted pita triangles, chunks of crusty sourdough, or even some homemade crostini. If you’re putting together a bigger spread, this dip works really well as part of a Mediterranean-style platter with olives, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, and some sliced salami or prosciutto on the side.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This creamy ricotta yogurt dip stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better after a day as they have time to mingle together! Just give it a quick stir before serving if you notice any separation.

Make Ahead: You can easily prep this dip a day before your gathering. In fact, I recommend making it ahead since the herbs have more time to infuse their flavor into the creamy mixture. Just hold off on adding the fresh thyme garnish until right before serving.

Serve: Take the dip out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly – this makes it easier to scoop and brings out the flavors better. If you notice it’s a bit thick after refrigeration, just stir in a splash of olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 35-40 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole or part-skim)
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt (full-fat)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons juice from lemon
• 1/2 tablespoon italian herb mix
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (and a bit more for topping)

Step 1: Blend the Main Ingredients

In a blender, add ricotta cheese, full-fat Greek yogurt, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and dry thyme.

Blend these ingredients until you achieve a smooth consistency.

This will be the creamy base of your dip.

Step 2: Incorporate Additional Ingredients

After blending the main ingredients to a smooth texture, add the rest of the ingredients to the blender.

Mix well to ensure that all components are fully incorporated.

This step will add texture to the dip, giving it a more interesting mouthfeel.

Step 3: Transfer and Garnish the Dip

Pour the whipped ricotta dip into a serving bowl, scraping out every last bit from the blender.

For added flavor and presentation, garnish the top with additional fresh thyme and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Step 4: Serve with Keto-Friendly Sides

Serve your freshly made ricotta dip with an assortment of keto-friendly chips, keto bread, or a selection of sliced vegetables.

It pairs particularly well with cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or crunchy almond flour crackers, making it a versatile and delicious snacking option.