Holiday Herb Cream Cheese Dip is an easy holiday appetizer that deserves a spot on your Christmas party menu.
It’s creamy, packed with fresh herb flavor, and has just enough garlic and lemon to keep every bite interesting.
Grab some crackers, pretzels, or crunchy vegetables, and you’ve got a delicious snack for everyone to enjoy.
Holiday entertaining can mean juggling several dishes at once, so having a no-bake appetizer ready ahead of time is a huge help.
This one takes just 10 minutes to prepare, followed by a quick 30-minute chill in the refrigerator. No oven space needed, and no last-minute cooking!
An electric hand mixer makes the cream cheese extra smooth, and a simple serving bowl is all you need for a pretty presentation. Sprinkle a little fresh parsley and chives over the top, and it’s ready for the snack table.
The savory flavor makes this cream cheese dip a great choice for Christmas gatherings, New Year’s Eve parties, or a casual holiday movie night. It’s easy to serve, easy to share, and gives guests plenty of options for dipping.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Herb Cream Cheese Dip
No Baking Required
Keep your oven free for other holiday dishes. This easy appetizer only needs mixing and chilling.
Easy to Make Ahead
Prepare the dip earlier in the day and refrigerate it until party time. One less thing to worry about when guests arrive!
Great with Different Dippers
Crackers, pretzels, toasted bread, and fresh vegetables all work great with this creamy, savory dip.
Fresh, Savory Flavor
The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon gives this dip plenty of flavor without making it spicy.
Ingredient Substitutions
Cream Cheese
Neufchâtel cheese is a good alternative if you want something a little lighter. It has a similar creamy texture.
Sour Cream
Plain Greek yogurt works great as a replacement. It gives the dip a slightly tangier flavor.
Mayonnaise
Use an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt or additional sour cream for a different creamy base.
Fresh Parsley
Fresh cilantro can replace parsley, although it will give the dip a different flavor.
Fresh Chives
Finely chopped green onion tops make an easy substitute.
Fresh Dill
Use about 1 teaspoon of dried dill instead of the tablespoon of fresh dill.
Lemon Juice
Fresh lime juice works if you don’t have lemon juice. The citrus flavor will be slightly different.
Garlic Powder
Use 1 small clove of finely minced garlic instead. Fresh garlic has a sharper flavor, so adjust to your taste.
Onion Powder
A small amount of finely grated onion can replace the onion powder.
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Holiday Herb Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
- Place the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl.
- Beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
- Add the sour cream and mayonnaise. Beat until creamy and thoroughly combined.
- Add the parsley, chives, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir until the herbs and seasonings are evenly mixed throughout the dip.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the chilled dip to a serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the remaining parsley and chives over the top.
- Serve chilled with crackers, fresh vegetables, pretzels, or toasted bread.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Use Softened Cream Cheese – Cold cream cheese can leave lumps in the dip. Let it soften before mixing for a smoother texture. Chop Herbs Finely – Small pieces of herbs spread more evenly throughout the dip and make scooping easier. Adjust the Consistency – If the dip is too thick after chilling, stir in a small amount of sour cream until it reaches your preferred consistency. Keep It Chilled – For longer parties, serve smaller portions and replenish them from the refrigerator as needed.Storing and Reheating
Refrigerating – Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Freezing – Freezing isn’t recommended because the dairy ingredients can separate and become grainy after thawing. Reheating – This dip is meant to be served cold, so reheating isn’t necessary. Food Safety – Discard dip left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour if temperatures are above 90°F.Nutrition
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