Classic BLT Dip with Cream Cheese

Coming up with crowd-pleasing party appetizers can feel like a real challenge, especially when you’re trying to balance taste with prep time. Between coordinating dishes, managing different dietary preferences, and hoping to avoid the same old chips and dip routine, party snacks can sometimes feel more stressful than fun.

That’s where this BLT dip with cream cheese comes to the rescue – it combines everyone’s favorite sandwich flavors into an easy-to-make dip that’s perfect for game days, potlucks, or casual get-togethers. Plus, you can prep most of it ahead of time, and it uses ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.

What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?

Regular full-fat block cream cheese is your best bet for this dip – skip the whipped or low-fat versions, as they won’t give you the right texture or richness. Make sure to take your cream cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before you start making the dip, as room temperature cream cheese blends much more smoothly and helps prevent any lumps in your final product. While store brands work just fine, Philadelphia cream cheese is a reliable choice that consistently delivers good results. If you happen to spot any blocks on sale, you can stock up since cream cheese freezes well for up to 2 months.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy dip is pretty adaptable and here are some smart swaps you can try:

• Cream cheese: For a lighter version, try Neufchâtel cheese (⅓ less fat cream cheese) or Greek yogurt cream cheese. Keep in mind the dip might be slightly less firm with these alternatives.
• Sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt works great as a one-to-one replacement and adds extra protein. You could also use light sour cream if you prefer.
• Mayo: Light mayo works fine here, or you can use more Greek yogurt mixed with a tiny splash of vinegar for tanginess.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon is a lighter option, or try bacon bits in a pinch (use about ½ cup). For a vegetarian version, try smoky tempeh bacon or mushroom bacon.
• Roma tomatoes: Any firm, fresh tomato works – just remember to remove the seeds. In winter, you can use well-drained diced canned tomatoes if fresh ones aren’t great.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use any melting cheese you like – monterey jack, pepper jack, or even mozzarella would work well here.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making BLT dip is using warm cream cheese, which can make your dip lumpy and uneven – make sure to let your cream cheese come to room temperature naturally for at least 2 hours before mixing. When it comes to the tomatoes, not removing the seeds and excess moisture can make your dip watery and separate over time, so take the extra minute to properly seed and drain them on paper towels. Another common error is adding the lettuce too early – it’s best to fold it in just before serving to maintain its crunch, otherwise it will become wilted and soggy. For the best bacon flavor throughout the dip, crumble 6 slices into small, even pieces to mix into the dip, saving the remaining 2 slices for topping – this ensures you get the perfect amount of bacon in every bite.

What to Serve With BLT Dip?

This creamy BLT dip is perfect for parties and game day gatherings, and there are so many fun ways to serve it! While the recipe includes crackers and chips as dipping options, you can get creative with crunchy vegetables like cucumber rounds, celery sticks, or bell pepper slices for a fresher take. For a more substantial spread, serve this dip alongside some sliders or mini sandwiches – it actually makes a great sandwich spread too. If you’re hosting a bigger gathering, pair it with other party favorites like buffalo wings, meatballs, or a veggie platter to create a complete snack table that everyone will love.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This BLT dip is best when you keep the base mixture (cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and seasonings) separate from the toppings. Store the base in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings in separate containers to maintain their freshness and crunch.

Make Ahead: Want to prep this dip in advance? Mix up the cream cheese base a day before your party and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just take it out 30 minutes before to soften slightly, then add your fresh toppings. This way, everything stays crisp and fresh!

Assembly Tips: If you have leftover dip that’s already been topped, the lettuce might get a bit wilted and the bacon less crispy. While it’s still safe to eat for 2-3 days in the fridge, the texture won’t be quite the same. That’s why I always recommend storing components separately when possible!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	60-1440 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2500-2800
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 230-250 g
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 g

Ingredients

• 16 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 slices of cooked bacon, separated
• 1 cup lettuce, shredded
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced with seeds taken out
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Crackers, toasted bread, chips, or any preferred dippers.

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

Begin by placing your cream cheese in a large bowl.

Stir until smooth.

Using an electric mixer makes this process easier, but if the cream cheese is soft enough, you can simply stir by hand with a spoon or spatula.

Once smooth, add in sour cream, mayo, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.

Stir until all the ingredients are completely combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step 2: Incorporate Bacon

Crumble or finely chop 5 slices of bacon and stir them into the cream cheese mixture until they are well-combined.

This will infuse the mixture with delicious smoky flavor throughout.

Step 3: Prepare and Assemble the Plate

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into an ungreased pie plate.

Ensure it is smooth and evenly distributed to create a solid layer for your toppings.

Step 4: Add the Toppings

Top the cream cheese mixture with a layer of shredded lettuce followed by diced tomatoes.

Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, then add chopped green onion.

Finally, top with the remaining chopped bacon.

If you like, sprinkle additional ground black pepper over the surface of the dish to finish.

Step 5: Refrigerate and Serve

Cover the assembled dish and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

When you’re ready to serve, present it with crackers, bread, chips, etc.

for an enjoyable, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Enjoy!