Seven Layer Crazy Greek Dip.

July 6, 2011 · 165 comments

I’m going a little crazy with feta… and tzatziki… and Greek stuff in general.

Have you noticed? Didn’t think so. I know I tend to fly under the radar like that.

Maybe I was Greek in my previous life? Because I really can see myself laying on a sparkling beach with a dark Adonis-like fellow and drinking wine while using a sand shovel to eat baklava. I can see how you might be confused as well, because sitting on a couch in a Pennsylvania suburb with my Adonis-like, red-headed husband watching Despicable Me is almostexactlythesame.

Hello you big bowlful of deliciousness.

I have a legitimate problem on my hands. I, for the life of me, cannot stop making the creamy feta. I make it at least once a week (sometimes twice) and always have it in the fridge because it’s so fabulous as a snack, on sandwiches, on bagels, and on, well… everything.

 

The only reason this poses a snafu in my little life is because if you are unaware, blocks of feta aren’t the most economical purchase I can make at my local grocery store. And when you’re buying two blocks… and sometimes four blocks a week… yeah. It’s a bit excessive. There I said it.

So what’s a feta freak to do?

 

Find a reason to buy even more of it at the store. And layer it up with a bunch of other Greek stuff like olives and artichokes and hummus. I’m obviously getting to know my Greek food, with all these fancy words like “stuff.” Someone get this girl a thesaurus. Sheesh.

Over Memorial Day weekend, my aunt made a delicious layered dip quite similar and it has been on my mind ever since. And then the feta ensued and now I have what appears to be 13 pounds of layered Greek dip in my fridge. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?! Send help.

 

I’m going to take a dip.

Seven Layer Greek Dip

makes one giant bowlful, probably serves over 10 people

1 1/2 cups hummus of your choice

1 15-ounce can of kalamata olives, drained and chopped

1 15-ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1/2 large cucumber, peeled and chopped

1 batch of creamy feta (or 4 ounces of plain feta, crumbled)

1 1/3 cups greek yogurt

3 tablespoons fresh dill

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 tablespoons chopped cucumber

1 garlic clove, minced

salt and pepper

Begin by prepping the ingredients for the creamy feta, if needed and set aside.

In a bowl, combine yogurt, dill, garlic, 3 tablespoons of cucumber, olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and mix. Grab a large bowl or plate and begin layering ingredients: the yogurt tzatziki, the chopped olives, the hummus, the chopped artichoke hearts, the crazy feta, and the tomatoes and cucumber. You can layer it however you’d like and use other ingredients to make it your own. I did sprinkle my cucumber and tomato with some salt and pepper for flavor, but the rest of the dip was VERY flavorful since I used the crazy feta. Serve with pita chips or use in wraps and sandwiches.

Note: if you want to make this dip even more enjoyable, you could add some ground lamb!

P.S. This is totally healthy too. Like… REAL healthy. Not it-has-nuts-which-have-protein-so-I-pretend-it’s-healthy healthy. That’s a good thing. Now go buy two full bags of pita chips to devour it with. You’ll want – I mean, need – both bags. Trust me.

{ 161 comments… read them below or add one }

CouponClippingCook July 7, 2011 at 1:08 am

Seriously….I could totally eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Your pictures are great too!

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Tracy July 7, 2011 at 1:31 am

This sounds like something I have to have in my face right now! I love everything about this dip (or I should say everything that is in this dip) and my husband I have been obsessed with tzatziki sauce recently. I rarely make the same thing two weeks in a row, but Gyros were made in the house two weeks in a row and we both loved them, but the tzatziki sauce was the star. I’m pretty sure I will be buying this stuff at the store tomorrow and eating it all by tomorrow night. lol.

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Jen @ keepitsimplefoods July 7, 2011 at 7:38 am

Brilliant idea! Love that you made this into a dip. :)

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Julie F. July 7, 2011 at 8:22 am

LOL at “you’ll need both bags” I’ve told you this before, but I love your writing style! I actually laugh out loud reading your blog. I feel like we could be friends :) Also, the dip sounds AMAZING!

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Jessica July 7, 2011 at 8:47 am

Thanks Julie!

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Katie July 7, 2011 at 8:58 am

This is a brilliant idea. I’m going to try it this week. Everytime I read about crazy feta I decide that I have to make it, so maybe this is the push I need :)

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Liz July 7, 2011 at 9:25 am

That looks delicious!!! I can’t wait to make it…great idea!

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Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction July 7, 2011 at 10:01 am

LOVE this! It looks delicious and healthy… Perfect light summer snack. And, just have to say, your photos are really stunning on this post! Love the ingredients shots.

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Jessica July 7, 2011 at 11:27 am

Thanks so much Jen!

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Amanda Marie July 7, 2011 at 10:05 am

This looks amazing!!

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Suzanne July 7, 2011 at 10:10 am

This recipe looks fabulous. You had a blog re-design since I’ve been here last and it looks great.

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Jessica July 7, 2011 at 11:26 am

Thanks Suzanne!

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Kalyn July 7, 2011 at 11:29 am

How can this not taste amazing? I buy huge blocks of Feta at Costco and I’m always shocked how quickly they get used.

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stampylisa July 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm

this is AWESOMENESS in a bowl!! my neighbor had a 7 layer greek dip from a local grocery store over the weekend and said it was like 11 bucks for the tray of it. I bet I can make it cheaper w/your recipe!! Thanks!!

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Karen July 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm

Jessica,
My family loves layered salads…this dip sounds delicious! Could a person add Romain lettuce between the layered ingredients? May have to have some additional yogurt mixture….what do you think? Your suggestions are very welcome! Please advise… I have a party scheduled soon, and I would love to try this. Thanks, for posting this recipe. Happy cooking!
Karen

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Jessica July 7, 2011 at 1:09 pm

I think that would probably would… the greek and hummus layers may be a bit heavy though? You may want to try a thin layer first.

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Mari July 7, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Jessica, have you ever made spanakopita? Do you think Crazy Feta would be good in that, too? instead of boring old regular feta?

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Erin July 7, 2011 at 3:44 pm

YUM!!!

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Rachel Wilkerson July 7, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Oh my gosh, I want to frame your food photos! #creepy

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Kristen Hess July 7, 2011 at 5:16 pm

This looks delicious! I love anything Greek – hummus, feta, olives, pita..YUM! Great post lady!

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Amelia July 7, 2011 at 11:02 pm

This recipe looks awesome! I love the Greek spin as opposed to the traditional “tex-mex” version.

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Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 8, 2011 at 1:00 am

That dip sounds awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jenny July 9, 2011 at 10:01 am

Can’t wait to make this later for a BBQ tonight! Will let you know what everyone thinks!

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Jessica July 9, 2011 at 10:36 am

Enjoy!

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CAGirlGrilling July 11, 2011 at 4:25 pm

This looks so refreshing! Much lighter than the traditional seven-layer dip…

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chef katrina July 11, 2011 at 11:53 pm

I have a question about the recipe for the dip…I bought the ingredients tonight, to make it tomorrow.
I was looking over the recipe and you call for 1 batch crazy feta or 4oz. plain feta. But the crazy feta recipe calls for 2 8oz. blocks of feta. Could you clarify. Seems like the crazy feta will be ALOT more feta cheese.
Thank you,
really looking forward to making this. Sounds SO good.

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Jessica July 12, 2011 at 6:45 am

The crazy feta definitely makes more, but 4 ounces of feta works fine it the dip too – it’s up to you, a little more or less won’t ruin the recipe. Let me know how it is!

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Shaina July 12, 2011 at 11:33 pm

I think I’m in love. I adore Greek food, and this is just brilliant.

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Tracy July 17, 2011 at 2:47 pm

Sounds delicious! I love feta cheese so I know I would love this…especially with some warm pita for dipping, yum!

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Kaitlyn July 19, 2011 at 9:01 am

I am addicted to your blog… and like you mentioned in your crazy feta post… I just can’t seem to get this idea of crazy feta out of my head, and am finally on the verge of making it!!

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Ashmurph July 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm

In-case you ever aren’t feeling up to making the tzatsiki, Trader Joe’s has a fabulous one themselves! It has a black lid I think. My dad and I are obsessed with the stuff! We’ve made it ourselves, bought different kinds; its a problem. Its super easy to make, and I may have to make him this dip and knock his socks off haha! Not to mention it seems like a nice cool and refreshing dip for us Arizonians in our 118 degrees! Thanks for the post, it sounds simply amazing. =]

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Claire July 28, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Making this today with Greek Style Burgers, CANNOT WAIT!

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sophistimom July 30, 2011 at 7:43 pm

FABULOUS idea. You’re so clever. Why don’t I ever think of things like this?

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Jseebald September 9, 2011 at 12:33 pm

I’m trying this dip on sunday to serve for the football game!! What a great healthy alternative!

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Tanvee October 31, 2011 at 11:22 am

I made this dip on Friday and it was AMAZING! The flavours exploded, in a beautiful garlicy way <3

I love your blog, thanks for the great recipes. Keep up the excellent work Jessica!

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Alexandra November 3, 2011 at 11:21 am

This looks amazing! Living in Greece, so this should be an easy “ingredient-getter”! Your pictures are beautiful!

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Andrea @ The MF Dre November 28, 2011 at 5:11 pm

I pinned this recipe, Oh, well it looks like about 6 months ago now. Did it the day you posted it. I am FINALLY going to make it tonight and I am so.super.excited.
You inspire me every day. Thank you!

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MrsG January 20, 2012 at 5:42 pm

My sister in law made ths last night and it was AMAZING! I could eat it as a meal! Loved everything about it!

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Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen February 7, 2012 at 8:45 pm

hey jess….i’ve got a lunch thing at work tomorrow and i’m bringing this…i was ripping my hair out about what i could bring that wouldn’t need to be heated back up (we only have a microwave)…just got all these ingredients…love this and you for giving it to us! <3 thanks jess… oh an ps i made your sweet potato fries tonight too…i'll tweet u a pic

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Shilo February 7, 2012 at 9:33 pm

This dip was AMAZINGLY yummy! Thank you for a great recipe that tastes good and is super easy!

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Laura King February 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Saw the Crazy Feta and 7 Layer Dip on Pinterest and repinned so I could serve at a wedding reception I’m catering this summer. I always do a trial run if I’ve never made something before, and Super Bowl Sunday was just the right event…pretty even number of men and women present. I was just going to serve the Crazy Feta, but at the last minute found out there was going to be a bigger crowd than I thought so with 45 minutes until the event and no groceries in the house, I went straight to the market for the ingredients to make it into the 7 layer dip. Problem was, the clock was ticking and there was no time for “pretty” or actual measuring, so I had to buy everything as close as I could to the correct amounts, throw it all in one big bowl and stir…OMG, I don’t think you can mess this up!! It was super delicious and men and women alike LOVED it. Had enough left over for a ladies craft night a couple of days later and they also were practically eating it with a spoon! I’m going to be keeping an eye on your creations :)

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