Liven up your fresh vegetables with one of these popular vegetable dip recipes. Try some of your own seasonings and spices to add even more variety.

Even in the fat belt of America, folks are trying to eat better. Many Southerners grow vegetables and enjoy the bounty of the summer. For special occasions, it's customary to serve up some healthy options including various cut vegetables. Adding a special dip makes the vegetable party trays even more appealing.

Sour Cream Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 TBS finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 2 tsp parsley flakes

Directions:

Mix well and chill.

Onion Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of cream cheese (8 oz)
• 1/3 cup chili sauce (a Mexican sauce – usually in a can)
• 3 TBS mayonnaise
• ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup chopped onion

Directions:

1. Mix together but leave it slightly lumpy.
2. Chill and serve.

Yogurt Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cup yogurt – plain (low fat is a good option)
• 1 pack vegetable soup mix (Knorr is good)
• 1 TBS parsley – chopped fine
• 1 tsp garlic (fresh is great – but sprinkle is OK)
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1/8 tsp pepper (fresh ground is best)

Directions:

1. Mix together all ingredients.
2. Chill and serve.

Homemade Ranch Dip

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1/8 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic – minced or pressed
• 2 TBS parmesan cheese – grated
• 1 TBS parsley

Directions:

Mix and chill.

Cheaters Ranch Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Ranch (your favorite brand)
• ¼ cup bacon bits

Directions:

1. Stir bacon bits in Ranch dip. Chill and serve in pretty bowl.
2. If asked for recipe, say it’s a “family secret.”

Dill Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• ½ tsp dill weed

Directions:

Mix well and chill.

Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 pack chopped frozen spinach (10 oz)
• 1 container sour cream (16 oz)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 dry pack of vegetable soup mix (Knorr is great)
• 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts – drained and chopped

Directions:

1. Thaw and drain spinach. Use a strainer and press spinach to get the bulk of the water out.
2. Mix together all ingredients. Use a mixer or stir well by hand.
3. Chill and serve.

Zucchini Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 tub of cream cheese (8 oz) – not the brick style cream cheese
• 3 TBS milk
• 1 small zucchini – shredded
• 3 TBS chives – chopped
• 1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Mix the cream cheese and milk well.
2. Stir in zucchini, chives and salt. Mix.
3. Chill and serve.

Garden Medley Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 pound small curd cottage cheese
• 1 pack cream cheese (3 oz)
• ¼ cup scallions (small onions with green tops) –chopped
• ¼ cup radishes (minced)
• 2 TBS parsley (minced)
• ¼ tsp garlic salt
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Mix together with a mixer until smooth.
2. Chill and serve.

Cottage Cheese Vegetable Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup fresh parsley – packed down in cup
• ½ cup green onion – chopped
• 1/3 cup capers – drained
• 2 hard boiled eggs – chopped
• 2 cloves garlic – minced or pressed
• 1 TBS lemon juice
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. Use a blender or food processor to combine all ingredients until smooth.
2. Chill and serve.

Chili Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tsp mayonnaise
• 1 TBS minced onion
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1/8 tsp Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. Mix mayonnaise, onion, chili powder, and Tabasco sauce in a small bowl.
2. Stir in yogurt.
3. Chill and serve.

Curry Dip

Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 TBS cider vinegar
• 1 TBS sugar
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp prepared horseradish
• 1 TBS finely grated onion

Directions:

1. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream and vinegar.
2. Mix together the rest of the ingredients and then stir into mayonnaise/sour cream mixture.
3. Chill and serve.

Horseradish Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup bacon bits
• ½ cup horseradish

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients well.
2. Chill and serve.

American Cucumber Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 pack cream cheese (8 oz)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 TBS milk
• 1 tsp onion – grated
• ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup cucumber – finely chopped

Directions:

1. Put cream cheese out to soften. This takes an hour or so depending on the temperature in the kitchen.
2. Mix cream cheese with all ingredients except the cucumber well with mixer or in blender.
3. Stir in cucumber with a spoon.
4. Chill and serve.

Greek Tzatzi Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 pints plain yogurt
• 1 large cucumber
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 TBS olive oil
• ½ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Shred cucumber and squeeze out as much water as possible. Put cucumber in a colander and press, for example.
2. Grate garlic (or use a garlic press).
3. Mix cucumber and garlic with other ingredients.
4. Chill and serve.

See also:

Fabulour Fruit Dips - If you're in the mood for fruit, you're sure to find a great fruit dip that you'll enjoy in this collection.

Rotel Dip Recipes - Feeling sinful? Enjoy one of the delicious Rotel dips with cheese and meat.

Super Bowl Appetizer Recipe Collection - Not really sure what kind of appetizer you want to make and serve? Here are loads of ideas and great recipes.