Best-Ever Dill Dip

Similar in flavor to a tasty French onion dip, this dip adds the fresh, citrus-like taste of dill to the creaminess of sour cream and mayonnaise. All the ingredients called for are easily stocked in your pantry or refrigerator, making it perfect for whipping up last minute as a quick snack or party app. Plus, the flavors meld as the dip chills, so it’s even better prepared ahead. Although it’s technically a dip, this recipe is great used as a sauce too.

This recipe calls for dried dill, aka dill weed in the spice aisle. Fresh dill amps up the flavor a bit, but it’s optional. With or without it, it’s great either way!

Dried dill comes from fresh dill, but the flavor concentrates and changes as the herb dries. Fresh dill is brighter and more citrusy, whereas dried dill is more intense with a slightly grassy undertone. 

Think beyond crudité, crackers, and chips (although they are perfect pairings — here are other ways to use this decadent dip.

• Spooned over cooked salmon, steak, or chicken.
• Schmeared onto a plate then topped with roasted vegetables.
• Dolloped into soup as a garnish (try it on borscht or as an unexpected finish on minestrone!).
• Thinned out with buttermilk to make a salad dressing.

First and foremost, dried dill, sour cream, and mayonnaise are essential ingredients in a classic dill dip. From there you can customize it to create a symphony of all the flavors that make food irresistible: Add spice (hot sauce), more citrus notes (lemon zest), umami (Worcestershire), an allium bite (onion powder and garlic powder), and a delicate herbal contrast (dried parsley). And of course, don’t forget salt and pepper to bring all the flavors to the forefront.