An easy make-ahead appetizer recipe for fresh herbed cream cheese dip accompanied by a fancy (but easy!) crudité platter.
When I’m planning our annual holiday feast, I always choose the appetizers first. They are so important! Inevitably, I get tied up in the kitchen making 18 things at once and things turn into a stage-5 disaster zone. People start to arrive and I am standing there, slightly sweaty, with all the burners in use and my mixer on full speed. Having appetizers prepped is incredibly helpful in making sure people aren’t standing around awkwardly, wondering whether they should volunteer for dish duty or run for the hills screaming.
Appetizers are also a great way to ensure people congregate where you want them. Despite the disaster situation, I always have a small table of appetizers in the kitchen. I keep them in the kitchen so I don’t get left out of all the fun as I finish making our meal. Our holiday guests can mingle and chat, and there’s less pressure on me as I wrap up the cooking. It’s a win-win!
Easy Vegetable Dip Recipe with Herbs
Easy Vegetable Dip Recipe with HerbsThis herbed cream cheese dip recipe can be made the night before your holiday event and will be ready to serve; the minute your first guests arrive. I make this dip every year, and I always use Philadelphia Cream Cheese. There’s really no other option — nothing tastes quite like it. The fresh milk and real cream give Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and this dip, the perfect creamy richness.
I serve an assortment of fresh vegetables with the dip. You can also cut these ahead of time if you’d like. Just keep a spray bottle on hand to spritz them with some water to make sure they look fresh. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
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PrintFresh Herbed Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
An easy make-ahead appetizer recipe for fresh herbed cream cheese dip accompanied by a fancy (but easy!) crudité platter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (2 packages) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 6 sprigs fresh dill
- 6 sprigs fresh marjoram
- 6 stems flat-leaf parsley
- 2 sprigs fresh tarragon
- 2 stems fresh basil
- Fresh vegetables, for serving
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat on medium until smooth and creamy.
- Add the white wine vinegar and salt, and beat on medium until incorporated.
- De-stem and mince the fresh herbs. Add to the cream cheese mixture and beat on low until evenly distributed.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with fresh vegetables or crackers. Will keep refrigerated overnight.
Thanks to Philadelphia Cream Cheese for allowing me to partner with them to come up with some fun and delicious recipes! I had a blast. Do you have any favorite recipes using Philadelphia Cream Cheese? I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments below. For some additional inspiration, click here.
When entertaining, I really try to keep it simple so I can have fun too. I look for several things I can make ahead – like this yummy dip and then on the day, I have one or two things that need last minute cooking.
Agreed! It’s so important to do things in advance or you’ll look back at your party and it will seem more stress than fun!
Can you please suggest how much spice I would use dried?