Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk (adjust as needed for consistency)
- 1–2 packets (2–3 tablespoons) ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley (optional, but recommended)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Remove cream cheese from the refrigerator 15–20 minutes before beginning so it reaches room temperature. Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly and will create a lumpy dip.
- Combine cream cheese and sour cream: In a medium bowl, add softened cream cheese and sour cream. Using a rubber spatula or electric mixer on low speed, blend until smooth and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Add the ranch seasoning: Sprinkle your ranch seasoning mix over the cream cheese mixture. Fold it in gently at first, then mix thoroughly until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout. The mixture should turn a light green color.
- Adjust consistency: Add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dip should be creamy and spreadable but not watery. Different brands of sour cream have varying thicknesses, so you may need to adjust more than you expect.
- Add fresh herbs: If using fresh dill or parsley, finely mince it and fold it into the dip. This adds fresh flavor and visual appeal.
- Season to taste: Taste a small spoonful and adjust salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that the seasoning mix already contains salt, so go easy at first.
- Chill if possible: While not strictly necessary, chilling for 15–30 minutes before serving allows flavors to meld and makes the dip easier to scoop.
- Serve and enjoy: Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh chives or herbs if desired, and serve with your choice of vegetables, chips, or crackers.
Notes
- For a lighter version, replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt or use all sour cream
- Homemade ranch seasoning tastes fresher but requires more prep time
- This dip can be made up to 3 days in advance
- If the dip becomes too thick, thin it with small amounts of milk
- Fresh herbs can be mixed in or served on top as garnish
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per ¼ Cup Serving (approximately 2 tablespoons)
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg