Making Mealtime Meaningful: Discover how we're giving back with the 12T Cares program →

Creamy Lemon and Herb Goat Cheese Dip

15 minutes is all it takes to create a luxuriously creamy dip, with a hint of lemon zest!

hearts
When you share or print a 12 Tomatoes recipe,
you're making mealtime meaningful.
100% of the Share to Care sponsor fees fund meals for families in need. Learn More
CLICK ANY LINK BELOW TO JOIN OUR CAUSE!
No Cook Goat Cheese Dip Horizontal 1
Image: Jono Elderton for 12 Tomatoes

I like to think of goat cheese as ‘billionaire’ cheese. It’s smooth and delightfully creamy, but with just enough tartness to make an impact on your tongue. Combined with low levels of lactose, and a bunch of different vitamins, goat cheese is not just tasty, it’s healthy as well, and is noticeably different from cow’s milk cheese.

No Cook Goat Cheese Dip Vertical 1
Image: Jono Elderton for 12 Tomatoes

This creamy lemon and herb goat cheese dip is the type of dip that no matter what you pair it with, from meats and other cheeses to crackers, fruit, and vegetables, that it tastes like the star of the show. It’s a simple, no-cook recipe that plays up the flavorful combination of silky smooth goat’s cheese, with the brightness of regular pantry herbs and the fruity zest of lemon.

When entertaining I like to make creamy goat cheese dip the centerpiece of my antipasti platter or charcuterie board. It’s great for off-setting the brittleness of crostini or blandness of crackers; for cutting through spicy, fattier cured meats, or when contrasting the saltiness of olives or preserved foods with a lovely fresh flavor that’s strong yet unassuming.

No Cook Goat Cheese Dip Vertical 3
Image: Jono Elderton for 12 Tomatoes

It’s also ridiculously simple to make – there’s no cooking, and no massive list of instructions to follow if you want goat’s cheese dip to taste perfect. While you can place all the dip ingredients in a processor and buzz through to mix it, my preference is to fold it all in by hand with a spatula, because it creates more individuality for each bite, rather than a uniform flavor mix flavor.

I love to make this amazingly creamy goat cheese dip when I’m having guests over, as it always gets good reviews and creates conversations! A dip like this deserves to be a talking point. I also try to make sure there’s enough left over to indulge when everyone else is gone – it’s amazing on sandwiches with chicken and bell peppers – but my guests usually eat it all!

No Cook Goat Cheese Dip Vertical 4
Image: Jono Elderton for 12 Tomatoes

Yield(s): Serves 6

15m prep time

30m inactive

hearts
When you share or print a 12 Tomatoes recipe,
you're making mealtime meaningful.
100% of the Share to Care sponsor fees fund meals for families in need. Learn More
CLICK ANY LINK BELOW TO JOIN OUR CAUSE!
Ingredients
  • 10 oz goat cheese
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Preparation
  1. Place goat cheese in a mixing bowl and stand covered at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Add all dip ingredients to the mixing bowl. Using a rice paddle or a small spatula, combine the mixture thoroughly by constantly folding the cheese.
  3. Transfer the goat cheese mixture into a serving bowl and sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper. Serve with bruschetta bites or water crackers. Can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if covered.

Recipe adapted from Green Valley Kitchen


Subscribe to 12 Tomatoes