Easy to whip up with minimal ingredients, this creamy, flavorful, and healthy garlic and chive cottage cheese dip recipe is great to keep on hand for snacking.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been one to shy away from bold-flavored foods.
Extra, extra onion on every sandwich. (I wish I were kidding. If you’re ever at a sandwich shop and you hear someone order their sandwich with double extra onion, walk up and say hi because it’s probably me.)
At least one more clove of garlic than every recipe calls for.
Tuna fish for breakfast…why not?!
(Yup, Mike is indeed a very lucky guy, lol. Luckily for both of us, he eats the same way though!)
This garlic and chive cottage cheese dip recipe is no different.
But like I talk about in my roasted garlic spread recipe post, as it roasts, garlic takes on a sweet, nutty, and much more mellow flavor. It isn’t nearly as in-your-face as you’d imagine. But then don’t forget, there are chives too, so this crema really does end up pretty bold. But that’s why it’s so good.
Inspiration for this Healthy Garlic and Chive Cottage Cheese Dip Recipe
My inspiration for this healthy cottage cheese recipe was Mexican crema. This is a slightly tangy Mexican cream that pairs perfectly with oh so many things. It's similar to sour cream, but a bit more subtle in its tanginess.
Here I used cottage cheese to get a similar creamy consistency without using cream. I like mine with some texture instead of completely smooth, but you can process yours until it reaches your desired consistency.
As an added bonus, this cottage cheese dip is high in protein and low in carbs with just 2g net carbs and 63 calories per ¼-cup serving.
Cottage Cheese Dip Ingredients
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Garlic - if you have the time, roast fresh garlic to make this savory cottage cheese dip; however, if you're pressed for time, you can use ¾ teaspoon garlic powder instead
- Extra-virgin olive oil - to roast the garlic; omit this if you use garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper - to season the dip; cottage cheese can sometimes taste bland, so once you blend it up, taste it again and add more salt and pepper if you like
- Cottage cheese - cottage cheese will blend up to a completely smooth and creamy texture, or you can leave some lumps if you like; use full-fat cottage cheese for the best flavor
- Fresh chives - these add a pop of green color and subtle onion flavor; if you like sour cream and chives potato chips, you will love this protein packed cottage cheese dip
Pro Tip: Cottage Cheese Substitute
If you don't have cottage cheese on hand, you can use ricotta instead.
How to Make Blended Cottage Cheese Dip
Step 1: Roast the Garlic (This is Optional):
Preheat oven to 375F.
Place the unpeeled garlic cloves in the center of a square of foil. Drizzle on the oil and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Wrap up the garlic cloves in the foil, and then place the foil package onto a baking sheet or an oven-safe casserole dish.
Roast until the garlic is completely soft and light caramel in color, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool completely and then peel the garlic cloves.
If you prefer, you can skip roasting the garlic and add ¾ teaspoon garlic powder instead.
Step 2: Blend the Cottage Cheese with All Other Ingredients:
Add the cottage cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, and the roasted garlic to a food processor. Process until it reaches your desired consistency (I like it pureed, but with a little texture instead of completely smooth), scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the chives and pulse a couple times to combine.
Step 3: Enjoy!
You can serve it immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days because it’s even more delicious after it sits for a couple days and the flavors blend.
Storage
This healthy cottage cheese dip recipe keeps well. It's actually even more delicious the day after you make it because the flavors have had the chance to blend!
You can store it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What Can You Use Cottage Cheese Dip For?
- Serve it as an appetizer dip with veggies, crackers, chips, or pretzels. It's delicious with carrot and celery sticks!
- As a condiment spread on sandwiches, burgers, or tacos.
- Instead of salad dressing.
- Make it into pasta sauce – just toss with warm pasta and a drizzle of olive oil.
- As filling for stuffed shells or lasagna.
- Stuff it into an omelet.
- As a pre or post-workout snack, along with raw vegetables for dipping.
More Dip Recipes to Try
- Warm Cheesy Garlic and Kale Dip
- Edamame Dip
- Charred Triple Onion Dip
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Easy Pimento Cheese Dip
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Garlic and Chive Cottage Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large cloves of garlic not peeled
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus 1 pinch
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper plus 1 pinch
- 1 ¼ cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives plus more for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Place the unpeeled garlic cloves in the center of a square of foil. Drizzle on the oil and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Wrap up the garlic cloves in the foil, and then place the foil package onto a baking sheet or an oven-safe casserole dish. Roast until the garlic is completely soft and light caramel in color, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely and then peel the garlic cloves.
- Add the cottage cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, and the roasted garlic to a food processor. Process until it reaches your desired consistency (I like it pureed, but with a little texture instead of completely smooth), scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the chives and pulse a couple times to combine.
- You can serve it immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days because it’s even more delicious after it sits for a couple days and the flavors blend.
Faith's Tips
- Net Carbs: 2g per serving (¼ cup)
- Roasted Garlic Substitute: If you're pressed for time, you can use ¾ teaspoon garlic powder instead.
- Cottage Cheese Substitute: You can use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese in this recipe.
- Storage: Store this dip covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on August 26, 2014. I updated it with more information on July 29, 2020.
Mehrnaz says
Can I use dried chives? Or do I have to use fresh ones?
Faith says
Mehrnaz, You can use dried chives in a pinch, but fresh chives will definitely add more flavor.
NJK says
Tomorrow i try this, it sounds delicious. I have created a similar dip with labne and fresh herbs...tarragon, chives, parsley, are just possibilities whatever you have available will create unique flavor and be sure to add lemon juice, salt and or red pepper flakes. Thinning with milk or buttermilk produces a ranch like salad dressing. Thanks you always inspire me.
Eileen says
You have to love cottage cheese! So good. One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in my husband's hometown serves a cottage cheese dip that actually sounds VERY similar to this. Going to give it a try and see!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love roasted garlic, this crema would make such a great appetizer!
Christina says
Love the idea of stuffing this in an omelet or some crepes! That's my kind of breakfast!