This easy veggie dip with cottage cheese is perfect for getting your protein in while snacking. It only uses 4 ingredients to make a tasty high protein low carb veggie dip. You can eat 2 tablespoons of this healthy dip and it has only 1.6g net carbs and 3.2g protein!
You might also like this low carb green olive & garlic veggie dip.
I love veggies and dip. I’ve been known to eat them for lunch sometimes, especially if I’m on the go and don’t want to order fast food.
Regardless for my reasons, I thought it would be nice to make a high protein veggie dip with cottage cheese for those days I don’t have time for a proper lunch.
Cottage cheese is packed with protein and when whipped it makes a perfect base for dip. So I just added some Ranch mix and voila I have healthy lunch that is fairly high in protein and low in carbs.
Carbs and calories in cottage cheese.
On average 100g of cottage cheese has 98 calories. However because I’m on a low carb diet, I check labels when I buy various grocery products as carbs and calories can differ from one brand to another.
I found that Daisy brand cottage cheese is the lowest in carbs so I usually buy that. Here are the carbs and calories for a few different brands for you use using the USDA database. The following are for 100g:
- Daisy – 97 calories / 3.54g carbs / 11.5g protein
- Deans – 80 calories / 5.31g carbs / 10.6g protein
- Land O’Lakes – 97 calories / 4.42g carbs / 10.6g protein
- Breakstone – 77 calories / 4.47g carbs / 8.55g protein
- Friendly Farms (Aldi) – 97 calories / 3.54g carbs / 11.5g protein
Cottage cheese is a fairly healthy food to eat, not only for it’s high protein content but also because it’s fairly low in calories, and a good source of choline, calcium, phosphorus and selenium. (Learn more about the benefits of cottage cheese.)
Protein dip ingredients I used.
As you know I used cottage cheese and specifically Daisy cottage cheese because it’s the lowest in carbs. I also used dry Ranch mix, lemon juice and zest and fresh garlic.
You can use just ranch if you want but I wanted to up the flavor with lemon and garlic. Below I have some other ideas of dips you can make easily with cottage cheese.
How to make veggie dip with cottage cheese.
Step 1: Add the whole container of cottage cheese, ranch mix and the juice of 1 lemon as well as the zest and 1 clove of garlic to a high speed blender.
Step 2: Blend away until the cottage cheese is nice and creamy and smooth in texture. You could probably use a food processor or immersion hand blender if you want but I love my Vitamix!
Step 3: Before spooning into a container, taste the dip and see if you want to add anything else. Sometimes if I have some fresh herbs I might put them in too.
Step 4: Spoon into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Other spice blends to try with cottage cheese.
I use my sister’s Homemade Ranch Mix instead of store bought. Below are some other dry mixes you can use to make cottage cheese veggie dip.
I bought the Redhot and Ranch seasonings at Target and the Ggreen Goddess from Trader Joes. The Everything Bagel Seasoning is from Aldi.
I’m sure you can find these products at other places but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Two tips for those who like to eat veggies and dip.
TIP 1: I found these wonderful containers pictured below on Amazon. I specifically went searching for them because I dislike dirtying 2 dishes for veggies and dip and these are perfect. They would also be good for nachos and salsa or really any foods you need to dip into.
TIP 2: I learned from a Facebook group that you can keep veggies and fruit longer if you store them in mason jars in the refrigerator.
So if you chop up a bunch of veggies for dip try using a mason jar. It beats putting them in water and them being soggy or ziplock bags where they can dry out.
I know some people do not like cottage cheese but when you blend it, it just becomes a smooth and thick cream. A perfect base for a dip.
So if you are trying to get more natural protein in your diet, and don’t like the consistency of cottage cheese, try this easy veggie dip. You can use any herbs and spices you like. Just blend on high and you’ll have a thick, creamy, high protein dip!
Approximate nutrition: 2 tablespoons out of 2 cups of dip is: 24 calories / 0.6g fat / 1.6g carbs / 3.2g protein
High Protein Ranch Dip
Try making this high protein veggie dip with cottage cheese. It's perfect for getting your protein in while snacking. It only uses 4 ingredients to make a tasty and healthy, low carb veggie dip.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese (Daisy brand)
- 3 Tablespoons Ranch Mix, dry
- 1 lemon - juice and zest
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese, garlic, ranch mix, lemon juice and lemon zest to a high speed blender.
- Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy texture. Taste to see if you want to adjust seasonings.
- Spoon into an airtight container and frigerate until you are ready to eat.
- Approximate nutrition for 2 tablespoons is 24 cals / 0.6 g fat / 1.6 g carbs / 3.2 g protein.
- NOTE: Daisy 4% small curd seems to have the lowest amount of carbs if you are watching. And in the recipe card I used regular ranch dressing mix powder. Just read the labels for the lowest carbs if you are counting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1 tablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 12Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Ali the Skinny GF Chef
Hi Denise! I love how simple and healthy your recipe is and will be featuring it on Savoring Saturdays this week! Thanks so much for linking up!
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Thanks so much!
Joyce @ it's Your Life
I love cottage cheese and while I love this idea it would take away from the texture which I love. Great post come share on Real Food Fridays, followed you here from the Weekend re-Treat party.
http:///www.yourlife7.blogspot.com
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I too like the texture but it was easier to dip when it’s smooth. Sometimes I eat cottage cheese just mixed with a bunch of veggies or a bunch of herbs and spices or both. Yum!
SueR
Hi, Denise ~ Posted this comment on another page but want to be sure you see it. I want to say thanks for posting your low-carb recipes and ideas. I have been on Nutrisystem twice – lost a lot of weight each time and gained it all back. I am now tryig low-carb eating -Iam also a diabetic. Thank you again, and wish me luck -please! Sue
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Hi Sue, I was on Ideal Protein a few years back and lost 30 lbs. It felt so good but I too gained it back. I’ve recently started low carb because it’s easy and it works. I’ve lost 8 lbs very easily and I’m never hungry. I’m glad you like the recipes. Please let me know how you are doing on your journey.
Hirra Pervaiz
Simple, healthy and delicious!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
Great minds think alike. I used cottage cheese in my high protein pancakes I posted today.
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I know, how cool!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I too will happily have veggies and dip instead of a meal, and I love cottage cheese, so this sounds perfect for me!
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Yay! I fellow veggie lover!