Finding crowd-pleasing party appetizers that won’t derail your healthy eating habits can feel like mission impossible. Between the heavy dips loaded with mayo and cheese-covered everything, most game day spreads leave you feeling sluggish before halftime even rolls around.
That’s why this BLT dip made with Greek yogurt has become my go-to for gatherings. It captures all the flavors of the classic sandwich we know and love, but uses protein-rich Greek yogurt as its creamy base – making it a dip you can feel good about serving (and eating!).
Why You’ll Love This BLT Dip
- Healthier twist – Using Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream gives you all the creamy texture you want with extra protein and less fat.
- Classic flavor combo – It’s got all the beloved tastes of a BLT sandwich – crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and crisp lettuce – in a fun, dippable form.
- Perfect party food – This dip is ideal for gatherings since you can make it ahead and it’s easy for guests to serve themselves.
- Simple ingredients – With just a handful of basic ingredients you can probably find at any grocery store, this dip comes together without any fuss.
What Kind of Greek Yogurt Should I Use?
For this BLT dip, you’ll want to start with plain Greek yogurt – not the flavored varieties that come with fruit or honey mixed in. Full-fat Greek yogurt will give you the creamiest, most dip-like consistency, but 2% or even non-fat will work if you prefer to keep things lighter. When shopping, look for thick, strained Greek yogurt (brands like Fage or Chobani are good choices) rather than regular yogurt, as the regular kind will make your dip too runny. Just make sure to give your yogurt a good stir before measuring, and if you notice any liquid on top, drain it off first to keep your dip nice and thick.
Options for Substitutions
This easy dip recipe is pretty adaptable – here are some simple swaps you can try:
- Greek yogurt: If you’re not a fan of Greek yogurt, you can use sour cream instead, or do half sour cream and half mayo for a richer taste. Just keep in mind that these options will make the dip higher in calories.
- Ranch dressing mix: Can’t find the Greek yogurt version of ranch mix? Regular ranch dressing mix works just fine. You could also mix in 2 teaspoons each of dried dill, garlic powder, and onion powder plus 1 teaspoon dried parsley for a homemade version.
- Cherry tomatoes: Regular diced tomatoes work well too – just remove the seeds first to prevent the dip from getting watery. In winter, you can use well-drained canned diced tomatoes in a pinch.
- Bacon bits: Fresh cooked and crumbled bacon tastes best, but bacon bits are convenient. For a vegetarian option, try smoky-flavored tempeh bits or mushroom bacon.
- Romaine lettuce: Any crisp lettuce works here – try iceberg or green leaf lettuce. Just make sure to add it right before serving to keep it crispy.
- Crackers: This dip goes well with any sturdy cracker, pita chips, bagel chips, or even fresh veggie sticks if you’re looking for a low-carb option.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making BLT dip is dealing with excess moisture from the tomatoes, which can make your dip watery – solve this by patting the quartered tomatoes dry with paper towels before adding them to the mix.
Another common mistake is adding the lettuce too early, causing it to wilt and lose its crunch – instead, sprinkle the chopped romaine on top just before serving, or even better, let your guests add their own lettuce as they scoop.
For the best texture, make sure your Greek yogurt is thoroughly strained (you can strain it further using a cheesecloth if needed) and mix the ranch seasoning well before adding other ingredients to avoid powder pockets in your dip.
To keep the dip fresh during serving, consider placing your serving bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice, especially if it’s going to be sitting out for more than an hour at room temperature.
What to Serve With BLT Dip?
This creamy BLT dip is perfect for parties and pairs well with all kinds of dippers! While crackers are a classic choice, try setting out a variety of options like toasted baguette slices, crispy pita chips, or fresh veggie sticks (carrots, celery, and cucumber work great). For a fun lunch spread, serve this dip alongside mini sandwiches or wraps – it makes an awesome spread for those too. Since this dip already has the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich, keep the sides simple and focus on providing different textures and vehicles for scooping up all that creamy goodness.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: For the best flavor and texture, keep your BLT dip base (yogurt and ranch mix) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the tomatoes, bacon bits, and lettuce separately to keep everything crisp and fresh – nobody likes soggy lettuce in their dip!
Make Ahead: Want to prep this dip in advance? Mix the Greek yogurt with the ranch seasoning up to 24 hours before serving. When you’re ready to serve, just fold in the fresh toppings. This way, everything stays nice and fresh, and your dip will be perfect for the party!
Serve: Take the dip out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off – this helps the flavors shine through better. If you notice any liquid separation, just give it a quick stir and you’re good to go!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-0 minutes |
| Total Time | 70-75 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 50-55 g
- Fat: 40-45 g
- Carbohydrates: 60-70 g
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain greek yogurt
- One 0.74-ounce packet of dry ranch greek yogurt dressing mix
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1/4 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- Choice of crackers such as blue diamond multi-seed artisan nut thins
Step 1: Prepare the Yogurt Dressing
In a medium bowl, mix together the yogurt and dressing mix until well combined.
This will serve as the creamy base for your dish.
Once combined, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste of your dish.
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
Just before you are ready to serve, remove the yogurt dressing from the refrigerator.
Add in the chopped tomatoes, crispy bacon bits, and shredded lettuce.
Stir everything together until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing, ensuring that each bite will have a balanced taste of all components.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
For a bit of extra texture and flavor, top the dish with additional bacon bits, lettuce, and tomatoes, if desired.
This will not only add appealing visual contrast but also enhance the overall taste.
Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest and most vibrant flavors.
