Tony and I have been making these Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches nonstop so we’re always stocking up on giardiniera. I was dreaming up more ways to use the spicy condiment and knew I wanted to create a yummy dip perfect for game day and your winter gatherings.
You all know how much I love making dips with cottage cheese, so let me introduce my high protein cottage cheese giardiniera dip! This creamy, spicy, incredibly easy recipe isn’t even JUST a dip. We started adding it to sandwiches, dipping nachos and quesadillas, and even spooning it onto our favorite proteins.
Grab extra jars of giardiniera for the Big Game to make this dip (and maybe the sandwiches, too?!) — everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Everything you’ll need to make this cottage cheese giardiniera dip
You read that right — this dip requires just 4 simple ingredients! The result is super creamy, slightly spicy, and so flavorful. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Cottage cheese: I like to use a low fat cottage cheese (my favorite is Good Culture!) but any brand will work. It’s a great way to use up a whole container.
- Garlic: a little garlic adds the perfect savory element.
- Lemon zest: brighten up the dip with fresh lemon zest.
- Giardiniera: feel free to use hot or mild giardiniera depending on your spice tolerance!
- For topping: I like to garnish the dip with extra giardiniera, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley or green onion.
Fall in love with giardiniera
If you’re new to this word (and this food), welcome to one of my new favorite condiments. It’s an Italian staple that’s famous in Chicago and is used on Italian beef sandwiches, and I use it in my favorite Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches!
It’s basically just a jar of pickled vegetables like peppers, cauliflower, and carrots that get jarred in vinegar and olive oil, and it adds such incredible flavor to recipes. It can range from mild to very spicy, so I recommend using mild in this recipe if you’re not used to the kick of heat!
Not a fan of cottage cheese?
I love the savory flavor that cottage cheese gives this dip, but I think a plain Greek yogurt would work well, too (and still pack a protein punch!) Just note that the dip may have more acidity/tartness and it may be a bit thinner.
Easy cottage cheese giardiniera dip in 2 steps
- Blend the dip. Add the whole tub of cottage cheese and the garlic to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Blend in the giardiniera for about 30 seconds.
- Garnish & serve. Add the dip to a shallow bowl, top with more giardiniera and the optional garnishes like parmesan and parsley, then serve! See below for my favorite ways to use it.
One dip, endless serving options
This easy giardniera dip is SO versatile. Here are my favorite ways to serve it and use it:
- As a dip (of course) for crackers, pita chips, triscuits, fresh veggies, and even quesadillas. Try my 4-Ingredient Paleo Crackers!
- Spread on a sandwich or on a slice of toasted sourdough (or a slice of my Soft Seedy Sandwich Bread) with fresh herbs on top.
- Served with grilled or roasted chicken or steak.
How to store cottage cheese giardiniera dip
Store any leftover giardiniera dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I recommend storing it without the garnishes! Remember to mix it up a bit before enjoying it from the fridge.
More dip recipes you’ll love
- Whipped Feta Bruschetta Dip
- Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip
- High Protein Sour Cream & Onion Dip
- Garlic & Herb Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
Get all of my dip recipes here, and my appetizers here!
I hope you love this cottage cheese giardiniera dip! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
High Protein Cottage Cheese Giardiniera Dip
Ingredients
- For whipped cottage cheese:
- 1 (16 ounce) container low-fat cottage cheese (I used Good Culture)
- 1 garlic clove, sliced or roughly chopped
- 1 small lemon, zested
- ¾ cup Chicago-Style mild (or hot!) giardiniera, drained but DO NOT RINSE
- For topping:
- Extra ¼ cup giardiniera (DO NOT DRAIN THE OIL), for topping
- Optional: Fresh grated parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onion
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor or to a high-powered blender, add the cottage cheese, garlic, and lemon zest, and blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, use a blender tamper or a spatula to scrape down the sides and get things moving as necessary. Next add in giardiniera and blend again for another 30 seconds or so.
- Add to a shallow bowl and top with additional ¼ cup giardiniera and its oil. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top and some parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve as a dip with crackers (I love simple mills crackers with this!), triscuits, fresh cut vegetables or pita chips, on a sandwich, or spread on a slice of toasted sourdough with with fresh herbs on top. We love this to dip quesadillas in, too! This would also be amazing served with roasted or grilled chicken or even steak.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
When is the lemon zest added?
I added the lemon sest with the garlic. My dip came out quite citrus. I thinknI would use less than a small lemon zested. I think this would be great to dip pita crackers or bell peppers. I am not sure how I feel about this yet.
Thank you for the catch! Yes, it goes in with the garlic. Feel free to reduce the amount of lemon zest if it seems too citrusy for you!
Do you drain the jar of giardiniera before adding? Or liquid and all?
Drain it for the giardiniera that you blend with the cottage cheese, but I recommend adding the extra giardiniera on top with the oil 🙂
Made this, and it was SO satisfying. I actually just used it as part of my salad dressing with some additional EVO. Delish!
So good!!
Made this for Super Bowl and it was delicious! Light and tangy.
So happy to hear that!
I have some cottage cheese AND giardiniera I need to use! AND we have a party tonight! Such a win. Thank you!!!
Love that!! Hope everyone enjoys!
This was great- does not taste “healthy.” Packed with flavor. Ate with sourdough Wasa crisps for fiber.
Perfect! Such a great snack 🙂
An ingenius recipe that sounds delicious. I will try this soon. I find Good Culture to be wet/watery so I will substitute another cottage cheese like Breakstones.