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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Published: Aug 8, 2021 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Whipped Ricotta Dip With Lemon and Fresh Herbs

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Meet the easiest, quickest appetizer you'll want to serve at all your parties -- this whipped ricotta dip with lemon and fresh herbs! Every creamy bite is delicate and airy with bright citrus notes for a perfectly light dip, and you can whip it up in just under five minutes. This whipped ricotta dip is sure to be a new favorite party snack.

A bowl of whipped ricotta dip with grilled bread to the side and fresh lemon slices in the background.
Jump to:
  • Why You Need to Make This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Looking for More Party Appetizers?
  • Whipped Ricotta Dip With Lemon and Herbs

Why You Need to Make This Recipe

I’m officially calling this whipped ricotta dip the appetizer of the summer. Honestly, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made a batch — it’s the perfect go-to dip.

  • Tastes like a citrusy, herby dream. With whole milk ricotta as the base, it’s a decadent dip, but the fresh lemon and herbs give it almost a light touch.
  • Makes entertaining a breeze. I truly can’t think of a quicker or easier appetizer to prepare. Even a kitchen newbie can make a gourmet-tasting dip.
  • Versatile for any occasion. Keep this recipe in your back pocket because you’ll come back to it over and over again. Need an appetizer for a fancy holiday or dinner party? Or maybe you’re just hosting a casual backyard gathering. This ricotta dip is perfect for both.
  • Budget friendly. With just three ingredients plus salt, this whipped cheese dip is easy on the wallet.

Bonus: If you're interested in more easy dip recipes, try my baked green chile dip!

Ingredients

The whipped ricotta ingredients with black and white labels on a marble board.

As you can see, I wasn't joking about the easy ingredient list. These are straightforward ingredients.

That said, my biggest recommendation is to make sure you use whole milk ricotta of the highest quality you can find. Whole milk ricotta is much more flavorful and less watery than part skim or fat free. Considering that we only rely on a few ingredients, we want to make sure they're the best we can find.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now let's show you how truly simple this dip is to prepare. I like to serve this dip with grilled bread, so we'll first walk through that process and then get to our herbed whipped ricotta dip.

Step 1: To prepare our bread, we cut a baguette into ½-inch slices and brush each side with olive oil (photo 1). Now we place the bread on a hot grill and cook until the slices are nice and toasty (photo 2).

Showing the process of grilling the bread until it's toasted.

Step 2: Just like that, we're ready for our whipped ricotta dip. We add our whole milk ricotta, herbs, lemon juice and zest, and a touch of salt to a food processor (photo 3).

Adding the ingredients to a food processor before blending.

Step 3: Now we give the food processor a whirl until the ricotta is smooth and creamy like so (photo 4). I find a good minute takes care of the job, but you can go longer for an even airier texture. This comes down to personal preference.

The dip in the food processor after blending until it's smooth and creamy.

And that's it! Told you it was easy. Now grab that grilled bread and treat yourself to a big scoop of the best whipped ricotta dip you'll ever try.

Dipping the grilled bread into the bowl of whipped ricotta.

Recipe FAQs

How do you serve whipped ricotta?

I love to spoon this ricotta dip in a bowl and lightly drizzle olive oil on top. Spread the grilled bread on a platter around the bowl, and you're set.

If you'd like to get fancy, you garnish with more herbs and a lemon twist. For a little crunch, you could also add toasted pistachios or macadamia nuts.

How long does whipped ricotta last in the refrigerator?

Great news! You can prepare this whipped ricotta ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days in advance of serving. Before setting out, you may want to give the ricotta a quick whisk to fluff it back up. Talk about easy entertaining.

What are other uses?

While I typically serve this as a dip, it also has plenty of other great uses. Use as a sandwich or burger spread or thin out with some cooked pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Spoon onto pizza or crostini. You have so many options!

Expert Tips

  • Don’t have a food processor? No problem. You can use a hand mixer to whip the ricotta or even manually whisk the ricotta. If you go the manual route, it may take a little more time to get that whipped consistency, but keep whisking and you’ll get there.
  • To grate the lemon zest, I recommend using a microplane grater. It’s quicker and easier than a zester while also producing a finer peel.
  • I used just basil for the herbs because it's going wild in our garden, but you are more than welcome to get creative here. Start with the basil and then add a tablespoon or two to taste of mint, parsley, chives, tarragon, dill, thyme, cilantro or even a combination of your favorite herbs.
  • You can make this dip even more decadent with a splash of heavy cream. It's not necessary, but it does add an even more luscious touch.
  • Want to add additional flavors? Feel free to toss in some freshly grated or roasted garlic. Or blend the ricotta with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or even Hatch green chiles for a spicy kick. This whipped ricotta dip is delicious as is, but it also works as a blank canvas if you’d like to create your own unique recipe.

Perfect Pairing

For a beer, we want something light and bubbly, like a wheat ale. Given the light texture of this dip, we don’t want a beer that’s too heavy bodied, and you’ll love how the wheat ale’s citrus notes complement the dip.

With the fresh herbs, I’m a big fan of a sauvignon blanc, which comes with its own herbal quality as well as citrusy notes with a crisp, acidic finish to cut through the ricotta’s whole milk. That said, this dip is versatile with other white wines — Chablis, Champagne and pinot grigio all pair nicely.

Love a cocktail? You won’t mind sipping on this strawberry-basil limoncello martini. The cocktail’s flavors match perfectly to our lemony whipped ricotta dip. You'll also love my garden gin and tonic with its medley of freshly muddled herbs.

For an easy, crowd-please appetizer, I hope you try this easy whipped ricotta dip with lemon and fresh herbs. It’s sure to be a new party favorite.

Cheers!

The whipped ricotta dip with toasted bread around it.

Looking for More Party Appetizers?

  • Easy Mango-Habanero Salsa
  • Fig Baked Brie With Kahlua Sauce
  • Hatch Green Chile Hummus
  • The Best Bourbon Bacon Jam

Please let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook.

A bowl of whipped ricotta dip with grilled bread to the side and fresh lemon slices in the background.

Whipped Ricotta Dip With Lemon and Herbs

Meet the easiest, quickest appetizer you'll want to serve at all your parties -- this whipped ricotta with lemon and fresh herbs! Every creamy bite is delicate and airy with bright citrus notes for a perfectly light dip, and you can whip it up in just under five minutes. This whipped ricotta dip is sure to be a new favorite party snack.
5 from 36 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 46kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Food processor, mixer or hand whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) container of whole milk ricotta
  • ½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil see note
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Juice and zest of one lemon
  • Olive oil for garnish, optional
  • Additional basil for garnish, optional
  • Grilled bread for serving

Instructions

  • Add the ricotta, basil, salt, lemon juice and lemon zest to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy to your liking. About one minute should do it, though you could go up to two minutes for an even airier dip. Check periodically to see when it transforms into your desired consistency.
  • Alternatively, you can whip the ricotta using a hand mixer or whisk until it's light, smooth and creamy.
  • Spoon into a bowl for serving. If desired, garnish it a drizzle of olive oil and additional herbs. Serve with grilled bread or your favorite dipper. Enjoy!

Notes

  • To grate the lemon zest, I recommend using a microplane grater. It’s quicker and easier than a zester while also producing a finer peel.
  • I used just basil for the herbs, but you are more than welcome to get creative here. Start with the basil and then add a tablespoon or two to taste of mint, parsley, chives, tarragon, dill, thyme, cilantro or even a combination of your favorite herbs.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Sodium: 95mg | Calcium: 55mg | Vitamin A: 118IU | Sugar: 1g | Potassium: 28mg | Cholesterol: 14mg | Calories: 46kcal | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fat: 3g | Protein: 3g | Carbohydrates: 1g | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Farrukh Aziz says

    August 28, 2021 at 3:23 am

    5 stars
    Great dip for parties! Grilled bread makes a great dipper to go with it! Thanks for sharing Amanda!

    Reply
  2. Heidy says

    August 23, 2021 at 8:26 am

    5 stars
    This whipped ricotta dip with lemon and fresh herbs was off the chain yummy! Great appetizer!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you, Heidi!

      Reply
  3. silvia says

    August 23, 2021 at 12:35 am

    5 stars
    This dip is perfect for parties and family gatherings. It is so delish and unbelievably easy to make. Love it!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you! I'm happy to hear it was a hit.

      Reply
  4. LaKita says

    August 22, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    5 stars
    This ricotta dip is so perfect! It is so fresh, creamy, and loaded with flavor.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks, LaKita! Happy to hear you loved it!

      Reply
  5. Nicole says

    August 22, 2021 at 11:33 am

    I love ricotta. Don't judge me, but I find myself just eating it with a spoon! So I'm definitely loving this recipe for ricotta dip. It's so fresh and bright! To heck with just for summer - I'd eat this all year round!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      No judging here! I'm right there with you.

      Reply
  6. Marie says

    August 22, 2021 at 9:24 am

    5 stars
    Such an irresistible dip! I love the addition of lemon and herbs--both ingredients surely make this appetizer more delicious and festive! I can see this served on any and all occasions.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      It will certainly come in handy!

      Reply
  7. Chenée says

    August 21, 2021 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    This ricotta dip is amazing! So many delicious flavors -- I can't wait to make it again.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Thank you! Happy to hear you loved it.

      Reply
  8. Aya says

    August 19, 2021 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    I did this ricotta dip for a game night that I was hosting, and everyone loved it. I served it with some veggies, and it was great!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 19, 2021 at 4:19 pm

      That's awesome! So glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  9. veenaazmanov says

    August 18, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect Dip for a party planning. Cheesy options are my favorite.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 19, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      Me too! I can't get enough.

      Reply
  10. Heather says

    August 18, 2021 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    Oh my YUM! I want to eat the entire bowl of this ricotta dip by myself. Guess I'll have to make 2 batches for my next party 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      I don't blame you! It's hard to stop.

      Reply
  11. Allyssa says

    August 18, 2021 at 4:13 am

    5 stars
    Thanks a bunch for this whipped ricotta dip recipe! So tasty and easy to make! Loved it! Well done!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 8:13 pm

      You're so welcome and thank you!

      Reply

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A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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