This creamy basil dip is bright and vibrant, loaded with homegrown basil and a hint of garlic and lemon. It is divine and versatile and can be served as a dip, sauce or dressing.
This garlic basil dip can uplift and compliment many different dishes and it pairs excellently with meat, fish and most veggies. This sauce can transforms an ordinary dish to extraordinary in a heartbeat. It's a must have in my fridge and it gets used a lot by everyone in the family.
Basil is an incredible and attractive herb that is super fragrant, versatile and easy to grow, as well as being a wonderful companion plant. I often end up with abundance of it.
This recipe arose when my garden was full of it and I was serving basil many different ways. Now it's a favorite condiment in my house. Flavor it with your homegrown garlic for an extra special dip/ sauce that you never get tired of.
Read more about homegrown food here and how to grow your own garlic at home here.
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Ingredients for basil dip
Fresh fragrant basil pairs perfectly with lemon and garlic in this light and fresh basil sour cream dip
- Fresh basil leaves- homegrown is best
- Garlic cloves - fresh or confit
- Lemon - juice only
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make basil dip
This fresh basil dip couldn't be easier to make.
- Step 1: Wash the basil leaves and dry them well.
- Step 2: Combine all ingredients except cream cheese into a kitchen blender and whizz thoroughly until mixed evenly and smooth.
- Step 3: Add the cream cheese and mix until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Step 4: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours for the flavors to infuse. Serve cold or at room temperature
Hint: You can easily adjust the thickness of this dip/dressing by adding more or less cream cheese. The cream cheese is what makes it thicker. Simply add slightly less for a thinner sauce or dressing.
Substitutions
- Unweetend yoghurt or cream fraish - instead of sour cream
Variations
- Spicy - add freshly chopped chili pepper for added heat
- Other herbs - add other soft fresh herbs. For example parsley, tarragon or cilantro
- Cheese - Add finely grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor element
Equipment
You can use kitchen blender, nutri bullet or stick blender for this recipe as long as it can blend the basil leaves extremely fine.
Storage
Store this sauce in the fridge. Good for 6-7 days.
This sauce don't stand up well to freezing.
Top Tip
- Dry the basil well before mixing it. Otherwise the end result can become to watery
- This recipe is best made with homegrown basil as it is more rich and vibrant in flavour. Pick basil leaves that are bright and green.
Basil dip Serving suggestions
This recipe can be a dip, sauce or dressing so the serving suggestions are endless. Usually the dip is slightly thicker (more cream cheese) and a sauce or dressing is thinner (less cream cheese). Below are a few serving ideas:
- As a dip for veggie sticks, crackers or these Zucchini garlic bites
- Serve it as a sauce with salmon, chicken or any other meat
- As a salad dressing or drizzled over steamed or grilled vegetables
FAQ
Sour cream and cream cheese are both key dip ingredients that provides creaminess. Add more of them to make the dip more creamy. Cream cheese will also make this dip thicker.
Nuts: Basil pairs well with most nuts, in particular pine nuts, almonds, and cashews, Chicken: Basil is a common ingredient in dishes with chicken. Tomatoes: Basil and tomatoes are a great combination.
Homegrown sweet basil, specifically a variety of sweet basil called Genovese basil
Related
Looking for other sauce recipes like this? Try these:
sour cream lemon and herb dressing
easy no cook pizza sauce recipe
When your garden produce a good amount of basil. Try making this amazing lemon basil dip/sauce. You won't regret it!
Creamy Basil dip
Ingredients
- 1 cups Fresh basil leaves- homegrown is best
- 1 clove fresh garlic or 4 confit garlic cloves
- ½ Lemon - juice only to taste
- ½ cup Sour cream
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the basil leaves and dry them well.
- Combine all ingredients into a kitchen mixer or blender and whizz thoroughly until mixed evenly and smooth.
- Add the cream cheese and mix until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours for the flavors to infuse.
- Serve cold or room temperature
Notes
- Dry the basil well before mixing it. Otherwise the end result can become to watery
- This recipe is best made with homegrown basil as it is more rich and vibrant in flavor. Pick basil leaves that are bright and green.
- You can easily adjust the thickness of this dip/dressing by adding more or less cream cheese. The cream cheese is what makes it thicker. Simply add slightly less for a thinner sauce or dressing.
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