Description

This Fried Pickle Ranch Dip is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings. Made with whipped cream cheese, sour cream, finely chopped dill pickles, and ranch seasoning, this dip is elevated by the crunch of toasted panko breadcrumbs. Chilled to develop flavors and garnished with fresh herbs and more toasted panko, it pairs wonderfully with chips, pretzel thins, vegetables, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Ingredients

Scale

Dip Ingredients

12 ounces Whipped Cream Cheese
1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Dill Pickle, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons Ranch Seasoning
3 cloves Garlic, grated (fairly large)
1 tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped, plus some for garnish
1 tablespoon Fresh Chives, finely snipped, plus some for garnish
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
Kosher Salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed (about 1/2 a lemon)

For Toasting

1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs

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Instructions

Toast the Panko: Add the panko breadcrumbs to a dry skillet and heat over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the panko turns a golden brown color and releases a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish.
Mix the Dip Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, sour cream, finely chopped dill pickles, ranch seasoning, grated garlic, chopped fresh dill, finely snipped chives, onion powder, kosher salt to taste, freshly ground black pepper, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Add Toasted Panko and Chill: Fold the toasted panko into the dip mixture, reserving some for garnish as mentioned. Cover the bowl tightly and chill the dip in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Serve the Dip: Before serving, sprinkle the top with reserved chopped dill pickles, the remaining toasted panko, and fresh herbs like dill and chives for an attractive presentation. Serve chilled with your choice of chips, pretzel thins, fresh vegetables, or use as a flavorful spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Notes

To enhance the texture, make sure the panko is toasted until golden but not burnt.
Chilling the dip overnight yields a deeper, more developed flavor.
Adjust salt to taste, especially if your ranch seasoning blend contains salt.
This dip can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the mix.
Use fresh herbs for best flavor, but dried can be substituted in a pinch (reduce quantity by half).