Go Back
Smooth cottage cheese protein dip served with carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, crackers, and pita chips.

Cottage Cheese Protein Dip

This cottage cheese protein dip is smooth, creamy, budget-friendly, and ready in about 5 minutes. Blend cottage cheese with lemon juice, garlic, onion, herbs, and pepper for an easy high-protein snack dip that works with vegetables, crackers, pita chips, rice cakes, or meal prep lunch boxes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 50
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Dip
  • 2 cups cottage cheese preferably 2% or 4%; drain if watery
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus more to taste; plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar may be used instead
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herbs such as parsley, dill, chives, basil, oregano, or a mix
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt only if needed after tasting
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons milk or water only if needed for blending; add slowly
Optional Add-In
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt optional, for extra tang and creaminess

Equipment

  • Blender or mini blender
  • Food processor
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring spoons
  • Small sauce cups
  • Divided meal prep containers

Method
 

  1. Add the cottage cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, and black pepper to a blender or food processor.
  2. Add the Greek yogurt now if you are using it.
  3. Blend for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
  4. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
  5. Blend again for 15 to 30 seconds to remove any remaining curds.
  6. If the dip is too thick for the blender, add 1 tablespoon of milk or water and blend again. Repeat only if needed, adding liquid slowly so the dip does not become watery.
  7. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, herbs, garlic powder, pepper, or a small pinch of salt if needed.
  8. Serve right away with vegetables, crackers, pita chips, rice cakes, or snack box sides. For a thicker chilled texture, refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use 2% or 4% cottage cheese for the creamiest texture. Fat-free cottage cheese can work, but it may blend thinner and taste less rich.
If your cottage cheese is watery, drain it briefly before blending. Start blending without extra liquid, then add milk or water only 1 tablespoon at a time if your blender needs help.
Taste before adding salt because cottage cheese, taco seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, and hot sauce can already contain sodium.
For ranch-style flavor, use dill and chives with the garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. For taco-style flavor, replace the herbs with taco seasoning and use lime juice instead of lemon juice. For everything bagel flavor, blend the base dip first, then stir in everything bagel seasoning after blending.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days for best quality. Stir before serving if the dip loosens slightly as it sits. Do not freeze if you want a smooth texture.