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Summer Party Dip Trio

Three cool, creamy dips perfect for summer entertaining: a refreshing cucumber yogurt dip, a smoky roasted red pepper hummus, and a tangy herb buttermilk ranch. Each is easy to make ahead and pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables, pita chips, or crackers.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cucumber Yogurt Dip:
  • 1 large English cucumber about 12 oz
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus:
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 roasted red peppers from a jar, about ½ cup, drained and patted dry
  • ¼ cup tahini well stirred
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons ice-cold water
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • Salt to taste
  • For the Herb Buttermilk Ranch Dip:
  • 1 cup full-fat buttermilk shaken
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise full-fat preferred
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • food processor or blender
  • mixing bowls
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • rubber spatula
  • sheet pan
  • parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Cucumber Yogurt Dip: Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Toss with 1 teaspoon salt in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Let drain for 15 minutes. Press gently with a spatula to release excess liquid.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, mint, and olive oil. Stir until smooth. Season with black pepper. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
  3. Prepare the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, roasted red peppers, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Pulse to break down, then process for 30 seconds.
  4. With the processor running, add the ice-cold water and 3 tablespoons olive oil through the feed tube. Process for 1 minute, scraping down the sides halfway through, until very smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste. Transfer to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and refrigerate until serving.
  5. Prepare the Herb Buttermilk Ranch Dip: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice, garlic, chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  6. To serve, transfer each dip to a serving bowl. Garnish the cucumber dip with a drizzle of olive oil and extra dill; garnish the hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika; garnish the ranch with extra chives. Arrange with fresh vegetables (carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes), pita chips, and crackers.

Notes

Storage: All three dips keep well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving. The cucumber yogurt dip may release a little liquid; just stir it back in. For a thinner ranch dressing, add an extra 2-3 tablespoons buttermilk. For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt (unsweetened) in the cucumber dip and a dairy-free sour cream and mayonnaise alternative in the ranch. The hummus is naturally dairy-free and vegan. Always check labels for allergens if serving guests with sensitivities.