Turn Greek Yogurt Into A Savory Dip With These 14 Additions

Greek yogurt has a reputation for being a virtuous, healthy breakfast choice, the best friend to granola, and a sidekick to fresh berries and jams. However, it has a more indulgent side, and can be turned into a show-stopping savory dip with the right ingredients. The best part is you don't need to be a culinary mastermind, a complicated recipe, or a grocery cart piled high with ingredients to whip it up. Most recipes involve ingredients hiding in your pantry or fridge, and others only utilize one main ingredient as the star with Greek yogurt as the base.

The tangy, creamy yogurt lends itself well to a variety of flavors, from spicy to herby, smoky, and salty. Whether you need to throw together a quick, tasty dip for a party, you want to use up that leftover tub of Greek yogurt lingering in your fridge, or want to try out a new recipe, these 14 additions easily level up your dip game. Grab chips, pretzels, or veggies and dig in.

The ultimate Greek dip, Tzatziki is a simple recipe that packs a major flavor punch. Finely grated cucumber, tart lemon juice, freshly grated garlic, salt, and a generous helping of fresh dill and extra virgin olive oil come together to elevate this plain yogurt into a zesty, herby snack. Serve it with grilled or raw veggies, slather it on a pita wrap, or serve it on the side of grilled kebabs.

Caramelized onions are wonderfully flavorful and jammy, and take everything from French onion soup to baked pasta and potatoes to the next level. If you have extra time, it's worth slicing them on a mandolin and caramelizing them in a pan to add depth of flavor to Greek yogurt. A little Worcestershire sauce, freshly chopped chives, and fresh garlic deliver a dip that's tangy, creamy, and a little sweet. Serve it up with potato chips or a crudite platter.

While caramelized onions bring so much flavor, you often don't have time to cook them long enough to achieve that glorious flavor and color. That's where French onion soup mix comes in handy. It brings all the flavor with little of the effort — all you need is a packet or two of onion soup mix and Greek yogurt. To amp up your tangy, savory dip, add cream cheese, shredded Gruyère, and sour cream, then serve it hot for a bubbly, cheesy, deeply flavorful masterpiece.

Harissa is a spicy, smoky North African condiment that can add extra heat to a variety of dips. The hot chili pepper paste is traditionally made with roasted red peppers, garlic paste, olive oil, coriander, caraway, cumin, lemon juice, and Tunisian baklouti peppers. Almost all supermarkets have premade harissa paste in jars. Add a tablespoon or two, along with honey and lemon juice, to Greek yogurt for a creamy, spicy, and tangy dip. Serve it with pita chips, cucumbers, or roasted vegetables.

Sometimes, all it takes is one little spice packet to do all the heavy lifting in a dip. Ranch powder may not seem like much of a shining star, but ranch seasoning can be the catalyst for a ton of tasty recipes. The seasoning also transforms bland Greek yogurt into a bright, zesty, herby dip that begs to be paired with veggies, potato chips, or chicken wings. Add some fresh herbs, such as dill, basil, or cilantro, to kick the flavor level up even more.

It's as fun to say as it is to eat. Gochujang is a Korean fermented red chili paste that started trending around 2018, but its spicy, sweet, and deep umami flavor is still popular today. The condiment is popping up in everything from noodles and grilled chicken to cookies. If anything is going to spice up Greek yogurt, it's gochujang. You only need a few tablespoons, depending on your spice preference, plus rice vinegar, garlic, and honey. This easy dip goes with just about anything, from veggies to wings, or you can drizzle it over an Asian-inspired dish.

You don't always have to hunt down an exotic spice or buy a ton of ingredients to bring Greek yogurt to life. Sometimes, everything you need is already in your pantry, garden, or fridge. A few tablespoons of chopped fresh or dried herbs, and a squeeze of lemon, are all it takes to add serious flavor. Herbs, such as chives, basil, dill, parsley, or mint, cut through the tangy yogurt and add the perfect amount of zing, and the lemon brings bright tartness. Use whatever you have on hand, and season to taste.

Roasted garlic makes any dish better. Unlike chopped raw garlic's harsh, pungent bite, roasting it in the oven brings out its sweet, nutty, buttery flavors. Mash it up into Greek yogurt with a little bit of salt and a drizzle of olive oil for a creamy, garlicky dip that pairs well with crostini, roasted veggies, or toasted pita. Add an extra layer of flavor with toasted, chopped pine nuts, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs. The best part of this dip is it's an intensely flavorful and easy snack that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Similar to tzatziki, dill pickles swirled with Greek yogurt are tasty, but bring a tangier, extra-briny flavor. There are so many ways to serve it: chop up dill pickles, add a splash of pickle brine, and stir in fresh dill to yogurt for just some easy ways to pack a flavorful punch. Spice it up by using hot or smoky pickles instead, or make a fried pickle dip with panko bread crumbs and cream cheese. Serve with veggies, potato chips, or crackers.

Few dips are as popular as Buffalo blue cheese dip at a party or tailgate. While its mix of creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavor is always a crowd-pleaser, it doesn't have to be overly heavy; swap cream cheese out for Greek Yogurt for a lighter version, and use your favorite hot sauce, a store-bought blue cheese dressing or blue cheese crumbles, shredded cheese, and some spices. Add extra ingredients for deeper flavor, such as Old Bay, chopped scallions, or bacon pieces. Serve with tortilla chips, celery, or carrots.

Aji verde is a spicy, herby Peruvian sauce used on everything from Peruvian roasted chicken to yucca fries and fish tacos. It was one of the most common seasonings in Peru's culinary history. The zesty sauce combines fresh cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, aji amarillo paste, garlic, and cotija or parmesan cheese. This burst of flavor is a welcome addition to plain Greek yogurt, turning it into a vibrant dip that's as tasty as it is colorful. Serve it alongside fries, roasted potatoes, or fresh veggies.

Made from fermented soybeans and salt, miso is a Japanese paste that adds a serious flavor punch to any dish. While it comes from an entirely different cuisine, it still complements Greek yogurt well, and adds a much-needed, umami-rich flavor. White miso is more mellow, so it brings a slightly sweeter flavor to the tangy plain yogurt. Red miso is bolder and saltier, so it works well with a good drizzle of olive oil and spicy herbs. Serve the dip with rice crackers or vegetables.

Curry doesn't just shine when ladled over rice and oven-roasted meats, or when used as a base for a spicy stew. You can use the dried powder in a variety of recipes. When mixed with Greek yogurt, it's a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. The warm, earthy flavors balance nicely with the tangy plain yogurt, and you can dress it up with lemon juice, olive oil, or additional spices. Warm naan, crispy pita chips, or crisp veggies all work well dunked into this delicious dip.

We can't mention Greek Yogurt without talking about its Greek cheese companion, feta. Its creamy, briny, salty flavor is a match made in heaven for Greek yogurt. You can whip up this dip in about five minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Using block feta gives this whipped feta dip a much creamier texture, but crumbled feta also works. Add some lemon zest, lemon juice, toasted pine nuts, fresh parsley, and a good drizzle of olive oil, and you have a dip that rivals any Mediterranean restaurant. Serve with warm pita bread or cucumbers.