Cottage Cheese Dip

Simple to make with just 5 ingredients and no cooking involved, this cottage cheese dip is a creamy and delicious appetizer perfect for any party or occasion. Serve this cheese spread with fresh vegetables and hearty crackers, and your guest will devour it.

And for more tasty dips, try Franks buffalo chicken dip, Velveeta chili cheese dip, and Jarlsberg cheese dip.

Homemade cottage cheese dip

This cottage cheese dip is seriously one of the easiest dip recipes and makes a tasty addition to any appetizer spread, charcuterie board, or game day get-together.

When I entertain, I love to offer an assortment of dips, so there’s a little something for everyone. And this cottage cheese spread is sure to impress your guests.

You probably know by now that quick + easy recipes are my jam. And this healthy cheese spread is just that. It takes only 5 minutes to make with 5 ingredients that are incredibly simple.

Want more snacks? Consider making our garlic bread or breadsticks to go with this tasty dip!

What is cottage cheese dip?

Cottage cheese dip is a creamy dipping sauce made with cottage cheese, herbs, and spices. It tastes light and refreshing and pairs perfectly with veggies and crackers.

Ingredients

This light and lemony cottage cheese dip comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients. Here’s your grocery list:

• Cottage cheese is the main component in this dip recipe. Read on to learn the best cottage cheese for this easy appetizer recipe.
• Onion powder is the key is to having the perfectly balanced cottage cheese seasoning.
• Fresh Herbs: I love the earthiness of thyme. However, other herbs such as parsley, chives, and dill are tasty, too.
• Lemon juice and lemon zest liven up the aroma and add a bright citrus note. Use the juice and zest of fresh lemons for the best flavor.
• Pepper: A few cracks of black pepper make the dip piquant. You could even use smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

Be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full measurements and instructions.

What cottage cheese is best for a dip?

Cottage cheese can be categorized into 3 varieties based on the amount of milk fat: regular (4%), low-fat/reduced-fat (2%), and nonfat/dry curd cottage cheese (less than 0.5%). My personal preference is regular 4% cottage cheese, which I think has the best texture and flavor.

What about salt?

Reading through the ingredient list, you may notice that salt is amiss. Cottage cheese has a salty tasty on its own, and I like this cottage cheese cracker dip best without any extra salt. However, if you find it lacking in saltiness, feel free to add a pinch or two of fine sea salt or kosher salt.

How to make cottage cheese dip

Wondering how to make cottage cheese dip at home? You’re in the right spot. To make this quick appetizer, grab a mixing bowl and follow these four steps:

1. . Using a spoon, mix together the cottage cheese, onion powder, lemon juice, and pepper.
2. . Fold in the fresh herbs using a spatula. Do this step gently, and don’t overmix, you want to retain the slightly grainy texture of the cottage cheese.
3. . If you prefer a perfectly smooth texture of blended cottage cheese, blend the ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
4. . Transfer the dip into a serving bowl. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap (cling film) and chill until you are ready to serve.

Variations

• Garlic: To make a cottage cheese garlic dip, swap out the onion powder for 1 tsp garlic powder.
• Dill: Use fresh, frozen, or dried dill to whip up a cottage cheese dill dip.
• Cucumber: Chop a half cucumber into small cubes and stir it into the dip.
• Spicy: For a spicy cottage cheese dip, add 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce or buffalo sauce.
• Mustard + horseradish: Swirl 1 teaspoon of each yellow mustard and prepared horseradish into the dip.
• Ranch seasoning + sour cream: For a scrumptiousranch cottage cheese sour cream dip, stir 5 tablespoons sour cream and 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning into the cottage cheese spread.
• Mediterranean: Finley chop 12 black olives and cut 1 tomato into small cubes. Gently fold into the cottage cheese mixture and season with fresh basil.

What to serve with cottage cheese dip

Now you’ve made onion cottage cheese dip… what do you serve with it? I like to offer a variety of veggies and crackers when serving it for a party, so there’s something for every taste. Here are some ideas:

• Veggies: Cucumbers, bell pepper slices, carrot sticks, celery, and broccoli are all tasty and healthy options for dunking and dipping.
• Chips, crackers, and biscuits: Tortilla chips, crunchy crackers, mini pretzels, crostini, bread, pita bread, breadsticks, garlic knots, and digestive biscuits make tasty companions for this easy homemade dip.
• Cucumber rounds: For a quick appetizer, cut a cucumber into 1/5 / 6 mm thick rounds. Add a dollop of cottage cheese mix and arrange on a large serving platter.
• Lettuce wraps: Another idea is to fill lettuce leaves with a scoop of cottage cheese spread and sliced chicken or crumbled bacon for lettuce wraps that can double as a snack or light lunch.
• Other dips: I also like to offer a bowl of this microwave buffalo chicken dip and my chili cream cheese dip alongside this cottage cheese dip.

FAQ

Can you make the recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this cottage cheese dip recipe 1 to 2 days in advance. Store it in a sealable container or cover the bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) to keep it fresh. When it’s time to serve, give it a quick stir, and your good to go.

It’s best not to freeze it because cottage cheese tends to separate and become grainy when thawed.

How do you thicken cottage cheese dip?

This dip has a pretty creamy texture, but if it feels not thick enough, you could stir in a tablespoon or two of sour cream.

Can I use cream cheese instead of cottage cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with cottage cheese. Since cream cheese and cottage cheese have different textures, you want to make a few adjustments to the recipe.

For one, be sure to let the cream cheese soften at room temperature by taking it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before making the dip. You can also prepare the dip with ricotta.

Is cottage cheese dip healthy?

Yes, cottage cheese is generally considered healthy. It’s a rich source of calcium and protein and is low in calories. You can find the full nutritional info in the recipe card further down in the post.

Storage instructions

• Room temperature: Cottage cheese dip shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
• Refrigerator:  Cottage cheese spread will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container, so it doesn’t take on the smell of other ingredients from your fridge.
• Freezer: You can freeze the dip, but the texture of the cottage cheese will change, so I don’t recommend it. I doubt you will have any problems finishing it.