Loaded Ranch Dip
This loaded ranch dip is packed with bold flavor, crunchy veggies, and is the perfect dip for chips, veggies and more. The creamy base is complimented by the freshness of the bell peppers, and the sweet corn gives it just the right hint of sweet flavor. Paired with ranch seasoning, it is a fun dip to serve at Potlucks, Game Day spreads and more.
Serve with Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings and Pizza Dip for a great spread.
Quick, simple, flavorful, and easy to make, this ranch dip offers something for everyone.
What You Need to Make Loaded Ranch Dip
Loaded ranch dip is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find, and requires very little work. With this veggie chopper, it is even easier to make. Here is what you need:
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Diced jalapeño
- Red bell pepper
- Sweet corn
- Ranch seasoning
- Sliced olives
How to Make Loaded Ranch Dip
Making loaded ranch dip is so simple:
- Soften cream cheese
- Mix cream cheese and sour cream together with ranch seasoning packet
- Fold in remaining ingredients
- Refrigerate
- Serve with dippers
How to Soften Cream Cheese
To soften cream cheese, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This will allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature, making it easier to work with, and making it blend together better with the sour cream.
You can also soften cream cheese more quickly by cutting it into small pieces and microwaving it for 10-15 seconds. The short heating time will soften the cream cheese without melting it, so it will still hold its shape.
Another option is to fill a glass bowl with warm water, microwave it on high for 3-5 minutes, then dump the water out, and turn the bowl over on top of the cream cheese, creating a warm environment. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and it will be nice and soft.
Softening the cream cheese makes it more pliable, and easier to mix and spread.
Selecting the right Sour Cream for your Dip
When selecting sour cream for your dip, it is important to choose a high-quality brand that has a rich, creamy texture and a tangy flavor. As it is one of the main components of this recipe, it is worth buying the better brand.
Look for sour cream that is:
- Made with real cream, and avoid sour cream that is made with artificial ingredients or fillers.
- Full-fat sour cream is the best option for this dip recipe, as it has a richer, creamier texture and flavor than reduced-fat or fat-free sour cream. However, if you want to cut down the calories a reduced-fat option works too.
- Be sure to check the expiration date on the sour cream to ensure that it is fresh and will not spoil before you have a chance to use it.
How to Choose a Good Bell Pepper
When choosing a bell pepper, there are a few key things to look for:
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Color: Bell peppers come in a range of colors, red is best for this dip, but you could also use yellow or orange for a similar flavor. Choose a bell pepper that has a vibrant, uniform color, as this is a sign of freshness and quality.
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Shape: Bell peppers should be firm and plump, with no wrinkles or blemishes. Avoid bell peppers that are soft, mushy, or have bruises or discoloration.
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Size: Bell peppers come in different sizes, for this recipe you will want a medium sized bell pepper.
Bell peppers are a versatile and healthy ingredient that can add color, flavor, and nutrition to this fun dip.
Tips for Dicing Bell Peppers
Here are some tips for dicing bell peppers:
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Choose a sharp knife: A chef’s knife or a paring knife is a good choice for dicing a bell pepper as it can cleanly slice through the tough skin and give you smooth, even cuts.
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Cut off the stem and seeds: Before dicing a bell pepper, use your knife to cut off the stem and remove the seeds from the pepper. This will make the pepper easier to dice and will ensure that your diced pieces are seed-free.
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Cut the pepper into strips: To dice a bell pepper, start by cutting it into long, thin strips. Cut the pepper lengthwise, from the top to the bottom, into strips that are about 1/2 centimeter wide. This is a great size for a dip as you do not want an entire mouthful of bell pepper.
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Cut the strips into cubes: Once you have cut the bell pepper into strips, turn the strips on their sides and cut them into small cubes. Cut the strips into cubes that are about 1/2 centimeter in size, or smaller if desired.
How to Dice a Jalapeno
To dice and deseed a jalapeno pepper, follow these steps:
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Wash the jalapeno pepper and pat it dry with a paper towel.
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Cut off the stem of the jalapeno pepper and discard it.
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Slice the jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise, cutting through the stem end.
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Use a small spoon or knife to scoop out and discard the seeds and ribs from the pepper. The seeds and ribs are the spiciest part of the pepper, so removing them will reduce the heat of the pepper. If you want a spicier dip, leave some in.
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Slice each half of the pepper into thin strips, cutting from the top to the bottom of the pepper.
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Turn the pepper strips on their sides and cut them into small cubes. You do not want these to be big, as they pack a flavor punch.
Diced jalapeno peppers are a flavorful and spicy ingredient that can add a punch of heat to your dip, especially if you leave in seeds, as that is where the majority of the heat is stored. Be sure to wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes when working with jalapeno peppers, as they can be very spicy and can cause irritation.
Dippers for Loaded Ranch Dip
We love dips at our house, from Loaded Potato Dip to Mexican Street Corn Dip, and this recipe is so perfect for all the holiday parties, football parties, and more. Here are a few fun ideas for dippers for this loaded ranch dip:
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Tortilla chips: Tortilla chips are a classic choice for dipping into a loaded ranch dip. Choose a sturdy, thick tortilla chip that will hold up to the weight of the dip and provide a satisfying crunch.
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Crackers: Crackers are another popular option for dipping into a loaded ranch dip. Choose a sturdy cracker, such as a water cracker or a whole wheat cracker, or a buttery cracker like a Ritz is also a good choice.
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Vegetables: Vegetables are a healthy and tasty option for dipping into a loaded ranch dip. Choose crunchy vegetables, such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, or cucumber slices, for the best dipping experience.
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Pretzels: Pretzels are a satisfying and flavorful option for dipping into a loaded ranch dip. Choose pretzel sticks, pretzel nuggets, or pretzel twists for a satisfying crunch and a savory, salty flavor.
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Potato Chips: Potato chips are another tasty option for dipping into a loaded ranch dip. Choose your favorite chip brand, and dip away for a satisfying crunch and a delicious flavor. Just note, they tend to be thinner and can break.
If serving at a party, I recommend offering a variety of dippers. This allows you to create a fun and satisfying dipping experience for your guests.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips for making a this loaded ranch dip:
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Soften the cream cheese: Before making a cream cheese based dip, be sure to soften the cream cheese. This will make it easier to mix and will give the dip a smoother texture.
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Uniformly cut up ingredients: To give your dip flavor and texture, you are going to add fresh veggies like bell peppers. But what you don’t want is a mouth full of only one thing. So be sure to cut your peppers nice and small, as well as uniformly, and mix the ingredients together thoroughly, to ensure that the flavors and crunch in the ranch dip are evenly combined and distributed.
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Chill the dip: Once the dip is mixed, transfer it to a serving dish and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop, and will help the dip to firm up and become easier to scoop.
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Serve the dip: When you are ready to serve the dip, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help the dip to have a better texture and flavor. Serve the dip with your favorite dippers, such as crackers, chips, or vegetables, and enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can make this dip up to 3-5 days ahead without compromising the texture and flavor. Just be sure to keep the dip chilled in the refrigerator to prevent the ingredients from spoiling and to ensure that it is safe to eat.
To store your loaded ranch dip:
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Transfer the dip to an airtight container: After making the dip, transfer it to a clean, airtight container with a lid. This will prevent the dip from drying out or absorbing any odors from the refrigerator.
- Label and date the container: This is just good practice for knowing when you made it, and when to use it. The fresh ingredients are the main reason you want to use it quickly, so if you want to store it longer, wait to fold in the fresh veggies.
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Keep refrigerated: Keep the container of dip in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. Cream cheese based dips can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but be sure to check the expiration date on the cream cheese to ensure that it is still fresh.
When ready to serve: Serve the dip at room temperature. Remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit out for 20-30 minutes to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help the dip to have a better texture and flavor. Serve with your favorite dippers.
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Loaded Ranch Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 pack ranch seasoning
- 1 diced jalapeño
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 can corn drained
- 1 cup sliced olives
Instructions
- Mix sour cream, ranch seasoning, and softened cream cheese together until smooth.
- Fold in jalapeños, bell peppers, corn, and olives.
- Refrigerate for an hour , remove 20 minutes before serving. (optional)
- Serve with your favorite dippers.
Notes
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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