Creamy Appetizer Dip (Printable)

Velvety blend of cream cheese, herbs, and lemon for fresh, flavorful snacking.

# Ingredient List:

01 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened

02 - 1/2 cup sour cream

03 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise

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

08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

11 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.

02 - Add chives, parsley, garlic, and red bell pepper to the mixture; stir until evenly distributed.

03 - Stir in lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using; adjust seasoning to preference.

04 - Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

05 - Serve chilled alongside fresh vegetables, crackers, or chips.

01 -

It comes together faster than you can set out a plate, leaving you time to actually enjoy your guests instead of panicking in the kitchen.
The herb combination feels fancy enough to impress, but the ingredient list is short enough that you probably have everything already.

02 -

Cold dip is mandatory—I once served it slightly warm and it separated and looked sad, but chilled it's always beautiful and cohesive.
The thirty-minute chill isn't optional laziness, it's when the lemon and herbs actually infuse the cream base and everything tastes ten times better than when you first made it.

03 -

If your dip ever tastes flat or boring, resist the urge to dump in more seasoning—lemon juice is your secret weapon to wake everything up without making it salty.
Chilled dip is thicker and better for scooping; if it gets too cold and stiff, let it sit at room temperature for five minutes before serving to restore its creamy texture.