Creamy cottage cheese dip is the snack-time superhero you didn’t know you needed. It’s high in protein and comes together in just 10 minutes!

Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is creamy, light, and packed with a surprising amount of flavor thanks to a few fresh, simple ingredients. It’s the perfect appetizer for your next gathering or a quick, guilt-free snack to keep in the fridge.
Cottage cheese dip is the friend everyone wants to have. It goes well with veggies, crackers, chips, or bread—this dip plays well with everyone!
It's also easy to make ahead for a cold packed lunch or as a healthier game day appetizer. Prepare it ahead of time, and let the flavors work their magic in the fridge while you go about your business
Bonus: It’s high in protein (14 grams) and comes together in just 10 minutes!
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🛒 INGREDIENTS
There are less than five ingredients for you to pick up at the store.
- Cottage Cheese: I like to use full-fat cottage cheese for the best creamy texture. The low-fat variety may turn out more watery for you and that doesn't sound so appealing.
- Fresh Basil: The flavor of basil really shines here. You can also use dried basil but it won't have the same vibrant hue and taste as fresh.
- Lemon Juice: I've been sipping on lemon water lately, so we usually have fresh lemons in our fridge. It adds a bright flavor to this dip. If you have a bottled version of lemon juice (like Real Lemon, for example), you can use it instead.
- Mayonnaise: There's just a little bit of mayo in here. I used it because it adds a silky texture and a little tang. You can omit it if you choose, or. you can use an equal amount of Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
Serving suggestions include carrots, celery sticks, radishes, or any kind of chips or crackers. See recipe card for quantities.
📋 Substitutions
No basil? No problem! Sub in parsley, dill, chives, or even dried basil in a pinch.
You can sub in Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise if you prefer.
You might also like the flavors of this layered hummus dip.
🥣 How to make cottage cheese dip
- Step 1: Blend It Up: Toss cottage cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and mayo into a blender or food processor.
Blend until your desired consistency—smooth and creamy or with a little texture.
- Step 2: Garnish & Chill: Pour it into a bowl, sprinkle with fresh basil, and let it chill for at least 30 minutes.
Trust me, the wait is worth it.
- Step 3: Use your food vessel of choice to dip and enjoy!
Pro tip: Make a double batch because this dip tends to disappear quickly.
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📖 Variations
Spicy Twist: Stir in red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce for a kick.
Dill Pickle Vibes: Add chopped dill pickles and fresh dill for a tangy, pickle-inspired version of cottage cheese dip.
Ranch: This recipe variation is for our daughter, Ava! Add some dried ranch seasoning to take this dip to the next level.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
The options are endless, but here are some of my favorites:
- Veggies: Carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes.
- Crackers or Chips: Whole grain crackers, or thick-cut potato chips for a crunch.
- Bread: Fresh pita bread, air fryer pita chips, naan, or baguette slices.
Top tip
For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle a little olive oil on top of the dip before serving and sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes or everything bagel seasoning. It adds a gourmet touch with minimal effort!
Storage
Freezing cottage cheese isn’t ideal—it can mess with the creamy texture and separate. Stick to storing cottage cheese dip in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days.
Before serving, give it a quick stir, as some separation may occur over time.
Related
Looking for other dip recipes? Try these:
Cottage Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise I like to use olive oil mayo
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped optional
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Instructions
- Add 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese, 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepperto a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. (Note: If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse briefly instead.)
- Taste for seasoning and adjust the salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed.
- Transfer to a bowl and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish with 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (if desired) and serve.
Notes
- Veggies: Carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes.
- Crackers or Chips: Whole grain crackers, or thick-cut potato chips for a crunch.
- Bread: Fresh pita bread, air fryer pita chips, naan, or baguette slices.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Pamela Barnes says
What if you do not have a blender or food processor?