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A bowl of roasted red pepper feta dip garnished with herbs and chili flakes on a wooden board with a red napkin.
Layla

Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip

Creamy, smoky, and tangy - this Mediterranean-inspired dip comes together in minutes and disappears even faster at parties.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 185

Ingredients
  

For the Dip
  • 8 oz feta cheese block style, not pre-crumbled, at room temperature
  • 12 oz roasted red peppers jarred, drained well (about 2 large peppers)
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For Serving
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • pita chips or warm pita bread for serving

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Rubber spatula

Method
 

Make the Dip
  1. Drain the roasted red peppers thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Excess liquid will make your dip runny, so don't rush this step.
  2. In a food processor, combine the feta, cream cheese, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Process until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the drained roasted red peppers to the food processor. Pulse 8 to 10 times until the peppers are broken down but you still see small flecks throughout - you want some texture, not a completely homogenous mixture.
  4. Taste the dip. The feta usually brings enough salt, but add a pinch if needed. For more tang, add another squeeze of lemon. For more smoke, add another pinch of paprika.
Serve
  1. Transfer to a shallow serving bowl, creating a swoosh with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with olive oil and scatter the chopped parsley over top. Serve immediately with pita chips or warm pita bread, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Notes

Block feta makes a huge difference here - pre-crumbled is too dry and won't blend as creamy. Let it sit out for 30 minutes before starting. For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne or a few shakes of hot sauce with the other ingredients. This dip actually improves after a few hours in the fridge as the flavors meld, so make it ahead if you can.