Smoky Cool Ranch Kale Dip.
This is my let’s-never-allow-summer-to-end dip.
The dip that is very much contradicting my rambles of yesterday about how I’m sooooort of ready for the autumn season. Because most of the time, I’m not!
This is our current favorite pool dip. Something you can whip up that isn’t terrible for you and something you can eat while sitting in the sun with your feet in the water. Yessss.
Confession time: I’ve never loved cool ranch Doritos.
In fact, I’ve never loved ANY flavor of Doritos. Especially the original.
When we were growing up, my brothers lived and died by Doritos. They LOVED them. I was never tempted, instead opting for regular tortilla chips or something. Maybe there was an issue with the messy hands and such. But truly, it was just the flavor that I couldn’t get behind. Totally wasn’t my thing.
Occasionally though… I was drawn in by the cool ranch vibe. A little cheesy and very ranch-y – it was weird for me because I was never a huge fan of ranch either! But those? It was like once you started, it was over.
Now I know, I know. I’ve made a bunch of dips with kale in the past. And by a bunch, I mean two. This grilled kale BLT dip is unreal. Smoky crunchy bacon. Juicy tomatoes. It’s so freaking good but it does take a little bit of work: like heating up your grill.
Waaaay back when, I made this copycat Trader Joe’s spinach and kale dip too. You guys still flip out over that and it’s an amazing dip to whip up super quickly.
Now THIS dip. Here’s why I love it. First of all, the whole kale thing. It’s a seriously easy way to get greens into your diet. The base is made with greek yogurt, so there’s that too. Basically we’re talking about a giant bowl of health right here, right now. There is a sliiiiiight spoonful of mayo. Don’t skip it! It really does add the richness that the tangy yogurt needs.
So. The kale sort of wilts into the dip. And it’s chopped and shredded so it’s not like you’re eating entire leaves of lettuce or anything. It’s just bits of greenery right in your dip. Veggies for the win! (I accidentally just type “wine” so that’s where my life is at right now.)
The spices are what MAKES this. I love a good homemade ranch seasoning and on top of that, I threw some fresh dill in too. There is nutritional yeast as well, which is what gives it an almost cheese-like flavor. IT DOES. Nutritional yeast is what I’ve used on my kale chips for years and it’s always in my pantry.
Of course you COULD just add that old-school ranch seasoning from a packet buuuut.
I say make your own. I’m all about the spices and making your own. Tastes so much better too!
Kale Cool Ranch Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped fresh kale curly or tuscan works!
- 1 1/2 cups plain greek yogurt I like 2% or full-fat
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated black pepper
- a handful of fresh dill for topping
for serving
- carrots, cucumbers, pita chips, radishes, peppers, etc
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the greek yogurt and mayonnaise. Add in the nutritional yeast, chives, dill, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, sea salt and black pepper. Mix and stir until combined. Fold in the kale and let the dip sit for 10 minutes before serving. You can also make it the night before! Stir in some fresh dill to serve.
- Serve with a mix of pita chips, crackers and veggies.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!
Annnd it still counts as eating veggies.
24 Comments on “Smoky Cool Ranch Kale Dip.”
LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT OR PAINT, THE COLOURS ARE AMAZING, CHINA
Oh I was ALLLLLLWAYS all about the Cool Ranch Doritos – no question, haha. Love this dip variety.
thanks liz!!
Looks so good! How much kale? I don’t see an amount listed int he recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
2 cups!! 2 cups chopped!
I love your trader joe’s spinach and kale dip (and so do my friends who i’ve served it too!) And if this dip tastes like cool ranch! I think I may love this one even more!!! very excited to try this one!
love that!! thank you jill!
Hehe – you wrote “dried drill” in the ingredients list. Yes, I’m 10 years old when it comes to giggling about typos. But! This dip sounds fantastic!! I can’t wait to make it :)
bahahahah. i fixed it! thanks stella!!! :)
drill is still in the instructions ;)
Nutritional yeast is the only item I do not have on hand already. In your opinion, how crucial of a component is it? Super necessary or I could probably be ok without it?
I second this question! Did not even know this was a thing.
I wonder if you could sub parmesan cheese for this. I’ve seen a recipe for mac and cheese that used this instead of parmesan cheese. I’ve also seen it used on popcorn for a cheesy flavor.
and if you decide you want to get it, i use it on a lot of other things too! you can also find it on amazon!
hi guys!! nutritional yeast does give it a cheesy flavor! i really like it for the flavor, but if you don’t have it, you could definitely sub parmesan cheese!
I wanted to make this that day so badly, but resisted. My local co-op has it in the bulk bins. Spent all of $0.35 buying these required amount. Making it tomorrow.
Your photography alone sold me on this dip–and I’m not even a big fan of kale to be honest! I’m hosting a girls’ night game night tomorrow at my house, and I think I’ll be making this, too! I’m also making your rose sangria! :)
thank you so much!!! ENJOY!
This is going to be a tail-gating must!!
Pingback: Butternut Squash and Kale - Salt & Baker
Pingback: Crispy Baked Pickles with Green Goddess Ranch - Kitchenpedia.co
Pingback: Cool Ranch Kale Salad - Cool Ranch Kale Salad Recipe
Pingback: Side Dish Sundays: Cool Ranch Kale Salad. Yes We’re Really Doing It. - TheDirtyGyro
Pingback: Side Dish Sundays: Cool Ranch Kale Salad. Yes We’re Really Doing It. – cookise.info