If you’re looking for a party showstopper that’s as delicious as it is beautiful, Layered Greek Dip will absolutely steal the spotlight! Creamy, zesty, fresh, and delightfully colorful, this Mediterranean-inspired dip brings together all the crave-worthy flavors of your favorite Greek salad—with the fun and ease of a make-ahead, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Mediterranean Flavor: Every scoop is loaded with bright lemon, creamy cheese, briny olives, crisp veggies, and hummus—an irresistibly fresh combination.
- Easy to Prep Ahead: Make this dip up to 12 hours in advance, so it’s ready to serve whenever your guests arrive (or your snack craving hits)!
- Crowd-Pleasing & Beautiful: The vibrant, colorful layers make this dish an instant centerpiece at potlucks, parties, and summer gatherings.
- Totally Customizable: You can easily tweak this Layered Greek Dip to accommodate dietary needs or whatever veggies you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Layered Greek Dip has a role to play—from the seasoned, lemony cream cheese that forms the base to the crunchy veggies and salty toppings that crown each bite. Here’s how your grocery list comes together for pure Mediterranean magic.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): The rich, tangy base that holds all your layers together—be sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens up the cream cheese and wakes up every ingredient with a little zing.
- Dried Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds herby depth—oregano, basil, and thyme are classic Greek-inspired flavors that really shine here.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Brings a savory aromatic punch; if you adore garlic, feel free to add an extra clove!
- Prepared hummus (1 cup): Creamy, nutty, and protein-rich—choose your favorite classic or roasted garlic hummus for a subtle twist.
- Chopped cucumber (¾ cup): Adds crisp freshness and lovely color—English cucumbers work best for fewer seeds and more crunch.
- Chopped tomato (¾ cup): Juicy, sweet, and bright; choose ripe tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Chopped pitted Kalamata olives (½ cup): These briny beauties add authentic Greek flavor and a pretty pop of inky purple.
- Crumbled feta cheese (½ cup): Salty and creamy, feta adds irresistible tang and a crumbly finish to the top layer.
- Sliced green onions (¼ cup): For mild sharpness, color, and a little extra zip on top.
- Pita chips: The perfect crunchy vehicles for scooping up every tasty layer—go for store-bought or homemade!
Variations
This Layered Greek Dip is the definition of flexible! Whether you’re working around dietary needs, allergies, or just the leftovers in your fridge, there are so many fun tweaks and add-ins to try.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Swap the cream cheese and feta with your favorite dairy-free alternatives (there are so many tasty options these days!).
- Add More Crunch: Sprinkle on diced red bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even a handful of toasted pine nuts for extra bite and color.
- Go Spicy: Stir a little harissa, Aleppo pepper, or a drizzle of hot sauce into your hummus layer for a surprising kick.
- Personalize Your Protein: For extra heartiness, add chopped rotisserie chicken or seasoned chickpeas between layers.
- Low Carb Variation: Serve with cucumber slices or endive instead of pita chips for a lighter, fresh twist.
How to Make Layered Greek Dip
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Base
In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Use an electric mixer to whip everything together until smooth, fluffy, and beautifully fragrant—this base sets the tone for every delicious layer above!
Step 2: Layer and Build the Dip
Spread your creamy cheese mixture evenly onto the bottom of a shallow serving dish (think an 8×8 square dish or a deep pie plate). Next, gently spread the hummus in a smooth layer right over the cream cheese. Then, sprinkle on the chopped cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives, and a generous shower of feta cheese. Bright slices of green onion finish it all off with a burst of color and flavor.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
Cover your assembled Layered Greek Dip tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (and up to 12). This step is magic—it lets all the flavors mingle and ensures the texture is scoopable and refreshing. Serve chilled with crunchy pita chips and watch it disappear!
Pro Tips for Making Layered Greek Dip
- Ultra-Smooth Base: Take the time to beat the cream cheese until it’s truly airy and lump-free—this creates velvety layers that scoop perfectly with pita chips.
- Tomato Prep: If your tomatoes are extra juicy, scoop out the seeds or let them drain briefly on paper towels to prevent watery layers.
- Max Flavor Meld: Letting the dip chill for several hours (or even overnight) really allows all the herby, garlicky, and briny flavors to meld—it’s so worth the wait!
- Choose the Right Dish: Use a shallow serving dish for more pronounced, colorful layers and easier scooping at parties.
How to Serve Layered Greek Dip
Garnishes
Give your finished Layered Greek Dip a gorgeous (and flavorful) flourish with extra feta crumbles, a drizzle of good olive oil, a sprinkle of chopped fresh dill or parsley, and maybe a crack of black pepper. Even a handful of microgreens or a few halved cherry tomatoes will turn this dip into a true centerpiece.
Side Dishes
This dip pairs perfectly with crisp pita chips, but don’t stop there—try serving it with warm pita wedges, crunchy cucumber spears, or even fresh bell pepper strips for dipping! For a full mezze spread, add marinated artichokes, dolmas, or a bright lemony tabbouleh salad.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, try layering your dip in individual clear cups or small jars for easy, personal-sized servings at showers or picnics. You can even use a round springform pan with the sides removed for an impressive, professional look! Or simply make a “build-your-own” Layered Greek Dip bar so guests can customize their scoop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Layered Greek Dip covered tightly in the refrigerator. Because it’s loaded with fresh veggies, it’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days for peak texture and flavor—the sooner, the better!
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this dip, since the fresh vegetables and creamy layers won’t thaw well and tend to release water, resulting in a watery, separated texture. This is one dish to make and enjoy fresh!
Reheating
Layered Greek Dip is meant to be served chilled, straight from the fridge—no reheating needed! In fact, serving it cold is what makes it so refreshing and snackable, especially in warm weather.
FAQs
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Can I make Layered Greek Dip the day before?
Absolutely! In fact, chilling the dip for several hours (or overnight) not only makes party prep a breeze, but it also lets the flavors come together beautifully. Just wait to garnish until right before serving so everything stays fresh and vibrant.
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What’s the best way to keep the cucumber from making the dip watery?
You can scoop out the seeds from your cucumber or let the chopped pieces drain on a paper towel for a few minutes before layering. This helps keep the dip crisp and prevents any excess moisture from seeping into the other layers.
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Can I use flavored hummus in Layered Greek Dip?
Definitely! Roasted red pepper, garlic, or even lemon hummus adds a delicious twist to the classic flavor profile. Just choose a flavor that complements the other ingredients and have fun experimenting.
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Is Layered Greek Dip gluten-free?
The dip itself is totally gluten-free as long as you check labels on your hummus and seasonings. Simply serve with gluten-free pita chips or veggie dippers to make the entire spread gluten-free and allergy friendly.
Final Thoughts
Layered Greek Dip is one of those delightful, no-fuss recipes that truly brings people together. Whether it’s game night, a backyard barbecue, or a quick get-together with good friends, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast! Give it a try, and I just know it’ll become a favorite in your own kitchen repertoire, too.
Print
Layered Greek Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing, Assembling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Layered Greek Dip is a Mediterranean-inspired crowd-pleaser that combines creamy textures with flavorful ingredients. Perfect for any gathering or party!
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Layered Toppings:
- 1 cup prepared hummus
- 3/4 cup chopped cucumber
- 3/4 cup chopped tomato
- 1/2 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Serving:
- Pita chips
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Layered Assembly: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in a serving dish. Layer with hummus, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta cheese, and green onions.
- Chill: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve chilled with pita chips for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
