Layered Greek Dip

2008-07-01
Layered Greek Dip
Prep Time:
20 mins
Chill Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
2-1/2 cups

Fresh, creamy, and tangy—this Layered Greek Dip might just be our favorite fresh party appetizer of the summer.

Mediterranean food is healthy all year round, but there's something about this cuisine that just tastes better in summer. Mediterranean recipes call for an abundance of fresh vegetables, light vinaigrettes, and citrusy flavors. This Greek layered dip recipe is no exception—and it's so easy to make! All you need is a serving dish where you can spread the Greek-flavored layers and to set out a bowl of pita chips. If you don't have pita chips on hand, tortilla chips will work as well.

What Is In Layered Greek Dip?

We used cream cheese as the base of our Greek dip, but you can also use a homemade tzatziki sauce or layer of unflavored Greek yogurt here if you want to go extra healthy. The next layer is hummus; regular flavor works but you can also use garlic, lemon, red pepper, or an everything bagel-style hummus here. Mix it up and do different flavors of hummus over different sections of the cream cheese if you want a new flavor in every bite.

Top the cream cheese and hummus layers with your favorite summer vegetables. Sprinkle with pitted olives and crumbled, tangy feta cheese and you'll have a savory dip that's perfect for the outdoor party season.

Is Layered Greek Dip Healthy?

Yes! This Layered Greek Dip has lots of fresh vegetables and protein from the feta cheese and hummus. It's a lighter appetizer dip compared to mayonnaise and cream cheese dips. This has just a little cream cheese at the bottom layer to make it more dip-like. For the freshest vegetables, use produce from your own garden or the farmers market. Freshly grown tomatoes and cucumbers will bring more summer flavor to your appetizer.

If you're being extra careful with your sodium intake, you can leave out the olives or feta cheese. Pack on more herbs and a drizzle of olive oil for a little extra flavor. Use unsalted or low-sodium pita chips, or cut up triangles of pita bread and toast for a slightly softer dipper.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 ½ cup prepared hummus

  • 1 cup chopped cucumber

  • 1 cup chopped tomato

  • ½ cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives

  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • cup sliced green onions

  • Pita chips and/or multigrain tortilla chips

Directions

  1. In medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and garlic with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and combined.

  2. Spread cream cheese mixture into a deep 9-inch pie plate, or shallow serving dish. Evenly spread hummus on cream cheese layer. Top with cucumber, tomato, olives, feta cheese, and green onions. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.

  3. Serve with pita chips and/or multigrain tortilla chips. Makes about 2-1/2 cups dip (16 servings).

What Else Should I Serve at the Party?

We can almost guarantee that the Layered Greek Dip will be one of the first appetizers to go, so make sure you have other favorite summer appetizers ready. You can keep the Greek theme going by having other salad recipes on the table. Serve them alongside our favorite grilled dinner ideas for a fresh meal that incorporates summer produce and satisfying proteins.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

114 Calories
9g Fat
7g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 114
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 198mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin C 4.1mg 5%
Calcium 50.5mg 4%
Iron 0.7mg 4%
Potassium 106mg 2%
Folate, total 20.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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