Cream Cheese Ranch Dip

It’s an open secret that appetizers are often the best foods at a party, especially when they’re decadent, rich, and filled with cheese—like our cream cheese ranch dip. Studded with bright green onions and chunks of cheddar, this cream cheese dip recipe tastes deliciously of ranch dressing. It’s herbal and tangy, and makes an especially fitting companion to a tray of crudites—though everyone loves a nice crunchy cracker for dunking. With a short ingredients list and even shorter prep time, the dip is one of our all-time easiest appetizers.

Cream Cheese Ranch Dip Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Thick cream cheese has just enough tang to make any dip interesting. Let it sit out and soften for 30 minutes before combining it with the other ingredients.
• Sour cream: Brightly acidic sour cream flavors the dip and adds a cool and creamy texture.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is so unctuous it’s almost bouncy, which helps lift and lighten the dip.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: While you can buy bagged shredded cheese, a block of cheese will have the most flavor. Use mild or sharp cheddar to your taste.
• Green onions: A sprinkling of freshly chopped green onions adds vivid color and punches of flavor. Chives will work, too.
• Ranch salad dressing mix: Ranch seasoning mix is a shortcut to herby, aromatic ranch flavor. If you can’t find it in the dressing aisle, check the gravy section. You can also make homemade ranch seasoning.
• Assorted crackers and fresh vegetables: Choose your favorite dippers, such as carrots, celery or crackers. Almost anything tastes great with ranch (more ideas below).

Directions

Step 1: Make the dip

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise until they’re smooth. Stir in the cheddar cheese, onions and dressing mix.

Step 2: Chill the dip

Transfer the dip to a small bowl. Refrigerate it for at least one hour or up to overnight. Serve it with crackers and/or vegetables.

Editor’s Tip: Giving the dip a little time to sit before serving allows the flavors to meld and lets it thicken slightly.

Cream Cheese Ranch Dip Variations

• Add vegetables: Get creative with mix-ins. Stir in minced garlic, roasted red peppers, chives or caramelized onions.
• Spice it up: Sprinkle herbs or spices into the sauce. Think cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, basil or parsley.
• Get cheesy: Replace all or some of the shredded cheddar with sharp cheddar, spicy pepper jack or another favorite cheese. Just skip the soft varieties, which will throw off the texture.
• Make it lower fat: Use low-fat cream cheese and mayonnaise for a dip that’s still plenty creamy but less rich.

How to Store Cream Cheese Ranch Dip

Store ranch cream cheese dip in the refrigerator. Either cover the dish with storage wrap or transfer leftover dip to an airtight container.

How long does cream cheese ranch dip last?

Leftover cream cheese ranch dip will last up to four days when it’s stored in the refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Ranch Dip Tips

What can you serve with cream cheese ranch dip?

The better question might be, what doesn’t taste good with cream cheese ranch dip? For savory dippers, try butter crackers, saltines, pretzels, potato chips, tortilla chips, breadsticks or toasted baguette slices. For fresh dippers, slice vegetables like celery, cucumber, bell peppers, broccoli, radishes, snap peas and carrots. You can even dip lightly cooked vegetables, such as asparagus, cauliflower and green beans.

Ranch dip makes a delightful appetizer for a casual dinner party, and it travels well as a potluck dish. If you’re hosting, pair it with something that contrasts in texture or temperature, like pigs in a blanket or bacon-wrapped dates.

What can you do with leftover ranch cream cheese dip?

Creamy ranch dip can double as a spread, a sauce or a condiment. Slather it onto turkey sandwiches or burgers. Toss a dollop into lettuce as a sort of decadent salad dressing, spoon it into a baked potato, or mix it into potato salad with some mayonnaise. You can even make a quick pasta salad by tossing short noodles into the dip and adding a few tablespoons of water to thin it out.

How can you fix runny cream cheese ranch dip?

It’s easy to adjust the consistency of any dip. If it’s too thin, stir in a few spoonfuls of cream cheese. If it’s too thick, add a bit more mayonnaise or even a dash of milk.