Seven Layer Crazy Greek Dip.

July 6, 2011 · 168 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.

{ 163 comments… read them below or add one }

Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living July 6, 2011 at 10:19 am

I love this Greek take on the traditional 7 layer dip… why should Mexican ingredients get all the fun, after all?!

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d.liff @ yelleBELLYboo July 6, 2011 at 10:28 am

That looks unbelievable!!

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The Teenage Taste July 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

AHHHHHHHH! This looks amazing! I could totally demolish this! :-P

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Caitlin July 6, 2011 at 10:36 am

omg you’re briliant! I’m so sick of making the mexican 7 layer dip. Can’t wait to try it out on my guinea pig.

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Girl in the pink July 6, 2011 at 10:36 am

What a great idea!! This would be such a great dish to bring to a party! Looks so good!

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Shanna, Like Banana July 6, 2011 at 10:46 am

I think just a fork may do

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Lauren July 6, 2011 at 10:47 am

YES! This looks fantastic!
I’m all for switching up a classic to make it even better and this takes the cake.
If you want off the feta bandwagon…I say jump on the goat cheese bandwagon. (Not gonna let you go on that one!)

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 11:02 am

I’m on both bandwagons! I’m straddling the bandwagons.

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Ashley July 6, 2011 at 10:50 am

Ummmmmmm, yes please! Sending this to my Aunt, who is Greek! She’ll love it. And so will I. :)

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Piper@GotItCookIt July 6, 2011 at 11:01 am

I wish I was Greek! Love, love, love all things Greek. Also, I bought a great Goat’s milk Feta at Costco the other day for cheap! It’s more rich and salty than most feta (no problem here…). Thanks for sharing this, I am making it!!!

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 11:01 am

I will have to check that out!

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Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen July 6, 2011 at 11:03 am

I’ll be happy to help you with that 13lbs of dip in your fridge ;-)

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Sommer@ASpicyPerspective July 6, 2011 at 11:08 am

We have quite a few “crazy greeks” for friends here and i believe they would approve of this dip. ;)

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RhodeyGirl July 6, 2011 at 11:12 am

yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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amanda July 6, 2011 at 11:19 am

Oh my goodness that looks amazing! Why have I never thought of doing that?

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Lisa | Life in Green July 6, 2011 at 11:25 am

Yep that looks AWESOME!

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Jenna July 6, 2011 at 11:28 am

Oh yes. I could eat this by the spoonful. Your crazy feta is to die for! I have made it twice already in the span of 3 days!

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SpontaneousMom July 6, 2011 at 11:42 am

Not to further your addiction- because I am also addicted to Crazy Feta- but over the weekend I made burgers stuffed with Crazy Feta- OMG- yumminess!!! you must try-

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Oh em gee… I have been wanting to try burgers with the crazy feta!

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Tiffany July 6, 2011 at 11:46 am

Your off the hook!

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Teresa July 6, 2011 at 11:47 am

This looks delish! After my husband and I returned home from a trip to Greece last year – I went straight to Costco and purchased a brick of feta the size of my giant handbag! Seriously…..if you need large quantities of feta, Costco (or maybe some other big wholesale warehouse) is the answer for getting it pretty cheap.

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm

I will check there!

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Heidi @ Food Doodles July 6, 2011 at 12:09 pm

Mmm that looks good. Except the olives. Am I the only one in the world that doesn’t like olives? I think I might be, but other than that, this looks amazing!

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:08 pm

Most of my family doesn’t like olives either!

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Mama Pea July 6, 2011 at 12:14 pm

That’s it. We were separated at birth. I want to go swimming in that dip.

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Rachel @ The Avid Appetite July 6, 2011 at 12:25 pm

My stomach legit just rumbled. Ahhh this looks amazing! I could easily devour that entire bowl solo.

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Caroline July 6, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I love the Greek spin on the 7 layer dip. This sounds amazing. Anything with feta, I’m all in!

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J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) July 6, 2011 at 12:41 pm

That is a gorgeous! Everything I love in a Greek salad or on a Greek pizza… in a dip! YUM!

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Cupcake Activist July 6, 2011 at 12:41 pm

I’ve never had a layer dip other than a 7-layer bean dip. This looks delicious though!

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Claire July 6, 2011 at 1:07 pm

This looks like the perfect dish to bring to a summer potluck! I’ll be needing to make this ASAP!

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Jackie @ That Deep Breath July 6, 2011 at 1:12 pm

i have to try this. i kind of want to bathe in it. is that weird?

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:08 pm

That’s my reaction too.

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Whitney July 6, 2011 at 1:21 pm

Minus the olives, that looks delicious!!

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Ann Claire July 6, 2011 at 1:22 pm

I love Greek food, this looks awesome1

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 1:31 pm

To say this sounds fabulous is an understatement! I love the idea of making 7 layer dip Greek and even better yet, lighter than the original 7 layer dip!

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Lindsay July 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm

So, I’m sure this sounds crazy and all, but I’m SO not a fan of hummus. Do you have any recommendations for a substitution? Or, should I just leave it out? p.s. I obsessively love, love, love Greek food too…minus the hummus. ;)

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Totally understandable, I didn’t use to like it either! I would probably say just leave it out or double up another layer.

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Lindsay July 7, 2011 at 10:06 am

Thanks!

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Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter) July 6, 2011 at 2:01 pm

I love the name of this dip haha I’d make it for that alone… I wonder if you could sub in goat cheese for feta. Would that be gross?

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:06 pm

I’m sure it would work but you would need to add some kind of flavor in there, the crazy feta is flavored from the jalapenos, lemons, etc.

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Stephanie Rose July 6, 2011 at 2:25 pm

wow. i must make this. now.

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alana July 6, 2011 at 2:41 pm

This looks absolutely divine! I’m Armenian and Syrian and our food overlaps a lot with Greek food. I can’t wait to make this! I’m on weight watchers and I’m sure this recipe could be easily adjusted to make it pretty low in points. Thank you thank you!

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:05 pm

Definitely, it is pretty healthy!

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alana July 6, 2011 at 9:14 pm

I added it all up and substituted in non-fat greek yogurt and reduced fat feta cheese. For 10 servings it would 5 points and for 12 servings it would be only 4 points. Delicious and healthy recipe, thank you!

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Katrina July 6, 2011 at 3:10 pm

This might just be the yummiest looking dip ever!

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Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique July 6, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Yum! This looks amazing. All my favorite things in one dip. :)

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Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather July 6, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Genious! I’ve never had a Greek layer dip… Just Mexican. Must make with the added lamb!

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Jillian July 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm

I’m literally sitting at my office desk drooling, eyes watering. hmmm…sorry cubicle co-workers. This looks amazing. Also, I’ve told everyone I know about crazy feta because it’s the best thing. ever. oh my. y

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:05 pm

It really is the best thing ever!

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Anne July 6, 2011 at 4:35 pm

I need this in my life right now. My husband and I just finished off some Trader Joe’s Mediterranean hummus…here’s my excuse to buy more (or make it myself)!

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:05 pm

That’s actually what I used in this!!

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Laura (Cookies vs. Carrots) July 6, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Oh man, this looks so good. Perhaps even better than Mexican seven layer dip??? Blasphemy.

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Heather @ girlyeverafter July 6, 2011 at 4:51 pm

This is the dip to take to a party hosted by a “not so good cook” so you will fill up and not feel bad about not eating their food because they’ve filled up on the dip too!

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Jessica July 6, 2011 at 5:05 pm

Hahaha so true!

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Dani July 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm

LOL!

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Dani July 6, 2011 at 5:16 pm

Zomg! That looks SO good!

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Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} July 6, 2011 at 6:23 pm

That looks insanely delicious! I am on a hummus kick right now and just had some Greek chicken tacos that were amazing. I AM going to make this!

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Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 6, 2011 at 6:31 pm

oh WOW. This is amazing stuff, and I am going to make it. Thanks :)

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janie la pierre July 6, 2011 at 6:50 pm

FYI- Costco sells Feta, if you have one close by. We buy the BIG block because we use it a lot. Will have to try this!

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Cookbook Queen July 6, 2011 at 7:04 pm

I need more Greek foods in my life.

I am also convinced that I’m a former Greek. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is to blame.

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Honey @ Honey, What's Cooking July 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm

this is brilliant. very very smart idea. :-)

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Amanda N July 6, 2011 at 7:55 pm

I love this dip!!! Although, when I make it I don’t use artichokes or crazy feta. I bet those two things make it TEN times better. I will have to try it next time. And it’s sooo much better with homemade pita chips. YUM!!

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Molly @ RDexposed July 6, 2011 at 8:29 pm

Wow… all I can think is “wow” right now. This looks…wow!

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Cynthia (It All Changes) July 6, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Oh my Jess! You’ve made my wannabe-greek heart skip a beat. This will be made and devoured ASAP!!!!

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Jeanette July 7, 2011 at 12:43 am

What a great idea! Love Greek flavors and this dip would be perfect for a summer get together!

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