Ricotta Dip With Lemon and Fresh Herbs is a simple, savory, and light dip that's perfect for summer. Whole milk ricotta is whipped in a food processor along with your favorite fresh herbs and garlic. Finished with the juice and zest of a lemon, it comes together in no time and will be your new favorite appetizer for all of those summer get togethers!
This super flavorful ricotta dip is the perfect accompaniment to charcuterie boards, snack plates, or just by itself. I love it served with crusty bread, but its fantastic with fresh veggies or even tossed with warm pasta. Just make sure you try it, because I promise you'll fall in love.
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And, if you need other fantastic dip and appetizer recipes, you've come to the right place!
Try my Marinated Feta and Olives, Queso Fundido, or even a Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip!

pull up a chair and let's chat!
When I say this ricotta dip is good, I mean goooooood! My husband watched me make this from a distance with a furrowed brow and doubt. I served it to him with some lovely buttery crostini. Needless to say, 20 minutes later the entire batch was gone.
And, what's not to love? This creamy, dreamy ricotta dip comes together a matter of minutes. It is so good it would make a shoe taste good. With the tang of the lemon juice and the fresh herbs, it's the stuff of my summertime dreams.
You can customize the herbs that go into this luxurious dip. Don't like basil? Love chives? Use as many chives as your heart tells you. This is such a fun recipe to play with as far as the herbs are concerned.
I love to make this for my family when we want something light by the pool, but it is absolutely fantastic to take to a backyard bbq with friends. You can make it in mere minutes, but it tastes even better the next day. You just cannot go wrong!
what's in it
You won't need many ingredients at all for this quick and easy whipped ricotta dip. Just make sure you get the best quality ingredients you can get!
Whole Milk Ricotta - I use whole milk ricotta for the richness. You can use skim if you like, but it won't be as creamy. Or, wonderful. Or, delicious. Just sayin'.
Fresh Herbs - This recipe is fantastic for the spring and summer when fresh herbs are spewing out of gardens. Grab what you have on hand and what you love. I think my handful changes every time I walk out to my garden.
Kosher Salt - I prefer this salt for seasoning. Don't use iodized. Don't do it.
Fresh Ground Pepper - Grind it yourself. It makes a huge difference in flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Find a good quality one. You will be able to taste the difference, especially in a dip like this.
Garlic and Lemon - For savory notes and a hit of tanginess to cut through the creaminess of the ricotta.

how to whip it. whip it good.
All there is between you and an amazing appetizer is about 5 minutes and a food processor. Simply add all of the ingredients to the food processor and pulse until smooth. I do give my herbs a rough chop just to help the machine out just a bit, but all in all, that's it!
Here's a more precise breakdown.
- Add the ricotta to the food processor.
- Rough chop the herbs and add to food processor.
- Grate the garlic with microplane and add.
- Zest the lemon. Add juice and zest to the food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture is smooth.
- Season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
That's it! I will say the longer the ricotta dip sits, the better it gets. I would make this at least 4 hours before serving and preferably the day before to let the herbs, lemon, and garlic work their magic!

how to serve
Another reason to make this ricotta dip is that you can serve it so many different ways. The first that comes to mind is alongside perfectly toasted bread slices or crostini. I brushed thinly sliced baguette with extra virgin olive oil and let it sit under the broiler until just toasted. Dip away.
This whipped ricotta dip also is a perfect addition to any snack or charcuterie board. It's a great accompaniment to cheeses, meats, olives, and sliced veggies.
Should you have any dip leftover, toss it with cooked pasta for a wonderful, summery dinner.
variations
Let's talk about those herbs. Summertime gardens are full of wonderfully flavorful herbs right now, so it's a perfect way to use them up!
I love a combo of chives, dill, parsley, and tarragon in my ricotta dip. Feel free to play with what you love, though! You only want dill? Absolutely. It will be phenomenal. Love only chives? Throw those bad boys in. Make this dip just the way you want.
However, I wouldn't use woody herbs like rosemary or thyme as they can be a little bit overwhelming for this recipe.
You can make this ricotta dip spicy, too! Add some red chili flakes at the end or add in a few pickled jalapeños with the ricotta in the food processor.
frequently asked questions
How long does this Ricotta Dip stay good?
This ricotta dip will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. I can honestly say we have never had it last that long so it's not an issue!
Is this dip gluten-free?
This ricotta dip is absolutely gluten-free!
Would this recipe freeze?
I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

Recipe

Whipped Ricotta Dip
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz conatainer whole milk ricotta
- ¼ cup fresh herbs, rough chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until whipped.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you guys make this Whipped Ricotta Dip, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Whipped Ricotta Dip recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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If you're interested in learning how to make your own homemade ricotta cheese, click here!
Estelle Myers says
This is by far the easiest appetizer I’ve ever made. Brought it to a party and it was gone in minutes. Used chives and basil. Toasted up a baguette to dip with. Perfection.
Rufus says
I am so very glad to hear it! Thank you for letting me know. Have a wonderful day!