If you haven’t ever tried poolside dip you’re missing out! I mean with a name like that you just have to try it! This skinny poolside dip is a loaded veggie dip that is so easy to make and is seriously addicting! That’s okay though because it’s a healthy ranch dip packed with nutritious veggies! It’s my go-to quick and easy appetizer recipe!
Serve poolside dip with crackers, and corn chips, or keep things gluten-free and keto and serve it with sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, or other fresh veggies!
I could literally survive on dips and appetizers! They have a way of making any boring old day feel like a party!
Party it is! Since I live in Idaho it probably won’t ever be a pool party, but it can still be a party!
This creamy veggie dip appetizer is a no-bake, no-cook recipe. All there is to it is opening a few cans, dicing some veggies, adding ranch dressing mix, stirring it up and you’re there!
It’s best made ahead of time, which is PERFECT for busy days…which, honestly, is every day!
Table of contents
Why This Poolside Dip Recipe is Amazing
- Healthy dips and delicious dip recipes are hard to find and this one fits the bill! This skinny dip is loaded with lots of veggies. I love the crunch of the raw veggies!
- One of my favorite things about this recipe is the ease of this recipe! You need about 10 minutes of prep time and that’s it!
- This dip is best if it’s made ahead, which is a lifesaver on busy days!
- It’s one of the most delicious recipes for summer! It’s basically lots of veggies tossed in a creamy ranch dip!
Ingredients for Veggie Ranch Dip (Poolside Dip)
All you need is simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, plus a few veggies. Let me give you a few options in case you need to make substitutions.
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for best results. Greek yogurt cream cheese, or low fat cream cheese (Neufchatel) can be used but they have added liquid which will make the dip runnier. I always use regular cream cheese. However, for a true skinny poolside dip you’ll want to use low-fat ingredients.
- Ranch Seasoning Packet: Use whatever brand you like. Classic Hidden Valley is what I use. Using a packet hidden valley ranch dip seasoning mix is a quick and easy way to add ranch flavor without having to measure and add all the ingredients separately.
- Corn: Use any sweet corn. Fresh corn cut off the cob, grilling corn, a can of whole kernel corn drained, or use frozen corn drained. Check out my freezer corn recipe!
- Diced Green Chilis – I like mild, but anything goes! You can also use fresh jalapeno peppers to add a little heat. For more spicy heat leave the seeds and membranes when dicing the peppers.
- Black Olives – a can of diced olives, or finely dice them yourself if you don’t have a can of already diced.
- Red BellPepper – Red bell pepper adds crunch and a pretty pop of color. You can use yellow, orange, or green peppers too.
Variations
It’s easy to customize poolside dip to make it exactly what you want it to be! Add as many of the following ingredients as you’d like! I like it best loaded!
- Green Onions: I love adding green onions, but my family is not a fan! Do what your family likes!
- Black Beans: Adding black beans is common in poolside dip. It’s a great way to add fiber!
- Cheese: Grated cheddar cheese is an excellent addition! Cheese makes everything better!
Instructions
You need to use room temperature cream cheese or else the dip will be lumpy. Here are a few methods for getting room temperature cream cheese.
- Countertop: Leave it on the countertop for about 30 minutes. depending on the temperature of your room.
- Quick Countertop: Cut cream cheese into 1/2 cubes making sure they have space between them. The smaller cubes will come up to room temperature quicker than a whole brick of cream cheese.
- Microwave: Microwave unwrapped cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate at half power for 15 seconds. Check to see if it’s soft, and continue microwaving in 15-second intervals until it’s soft.
Making skinny poolside dip really couldn’t be easier!
Step 1: Make the cream cheese mixture. Add room-temperature cream cheese and dry ranch seasonings to a medium bowl. Mix it together until it’s smooth and doesn’t have lumps. I like using my KitchenAid electric hand mixer.
Step 2: Prep the veggies. Drain the corn and beans if you’re using them. Finely chop peppers and olives and any other veggies you’re using. Add the corn, red pepper, olives, and chilis. Stir to mix in.
Step 3: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
Finely dice the veggies (peppers, onions, olives, etc). It’s easier to scoop the dip up with a chip if there aren’t big huge chunks of veggies. I like to cut them about the size of a black bean.
What to Serve With Skinny Poolside Dip
There are lots of fun options! I have to admit I’ve ditched all the dippers before and eaten this dip with a spoon. I guess it would technically be a salad!
- Crackers: Butter crackers like Ritz or whole wheat crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thin crackers
- Chips: Tortilla chips, corn chips, or potato chips
- Pretzels
- Raw Vegetables: Cucumbers, crunchy bell peppers, or mini sweet peppers
- Pork rinds: for a Keto option.
How to Store Poolside Dip
Store leftover skinny poolside dip in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If it starts to separate just stir the dip before serving.
I don’t recommend freezing this dip because it will alter the texture.
We rarely have leftovers and you probably won’t either! Just in case though…
- Refrigerate for later. This cream cheese dip will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can serve it exactly as you did the first time.
- Pinwheels – Spread it on a flour tortilla and roll it up. Wrap in plastic wrap. Cut into 1-inch slices.
- Ham Rollups – Spread on a slice of deli ham and roll it up. Cut in slices.
Easy Cream Cheese Dip Recipes
Cream cheese appetizers and dip recipes are always a huge hit for holidays and parties! Or, they’re perfect for hot summer days when you don’t feel like cooking!
Poolside Dip Recipe
Skinny Poolside Dip is the ultimate summertime recipe. With its creamy ranch goodness and fresh, crunchy veggies, it offers a guilt-free snacking option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a gathering, or simply looking for a light and refreshing snack, this dip is a winner. It’s easy to make, versatile, and perfect for dipping or spreading.
So go ahead, and indulge in the flavors of summer while keeping your healthy lifestyle intact. With our Skinny Poolside Dip, you can savor every bite without any regrets.
Skinny Poolside Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix the dry mix only
- 15 ounce canned corn drained
- 1 small can black olives
- 1 cup red bell pepper finely diced
- 4 ounces green chilis, drained optional
- 1 whole jalapeno optional
Instructions
- Mix room-temperature cream cheese with dry ranch dressing seasoning.
- Add drained corn, chilis, diced olives, diced red pepper, and corn. Stir to mix.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese, reduced-fat cream cheese, or Greek yogurt cream cheese.
- Chilis – I use mild chilis, but you can use hotter chilis if you can handle the heat!
- Olives – If you have whole olives, finely dice them.
Shari says
I’m not an olive fan could you use black beans instead
Amy Engberson says
I’m sure you could use black beans and it would be just fine. You could replace the olives with more corn, peppers, or cucumbers. Let me know what you try!
LT says
Co-Worker approved! It’s a quick an easy dip to make. I like onion, so might try adding a little next time. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
Amy Engberson says
I love that you shared it with your coworkers! Adding onions is a great idea!
Nancy says
How much is an ounce or ranch powder? Less than 1/4 cup?
Amy Engberson says
One ounce is 2 Tablespoons of dry seasoning mix. Measuring by Tablespoon is much easier than by the ounce, so I just updated the recipe! Thanks for pointing that out!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
Wow! Such a gorgeous dip! Love to try this!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! It’s so full of yummy flavors! We love this one!
Abeer says
All these colors and flavors! I love them!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! It definitely has tons of yummy flavors packed in there! Perfect for summer!
Erin Dee says
This is the perfect summer appetizer! Love that it can be made ahead so that the flavors have time to develop! Looks delicious!
Amy Engberson says
Make ahead recipes are my very favorite! Who has time at the last minute to whip a recipe together?
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I am also a chip and dip addict! I need to find the Greek cream cheese!
Amy Engberson says
My addiction is bad! Reduced fat cream cheese works too!
Sabrina says
I could make a meal out of this! Looks delicious!
Amy Engberson says
Hey, I wouldn’t judge you! Appetizers for dinner are the way to go!
I Heart Naptime says
This looks incredible!! I can’t wait to try!
Amy Engberson says
Once you try it I think you’ll be hooked!
Amanda says
I love this recipe so much! So easy to follow and delicious!!
Amy Engberson says
Easy recipes like this are the ones I come back to over and over! Enjoy!
Doyle says
Gotta try your dips. Tks
Amy Engberson says
Yes! I can’t wait for you to try this dip! It hits the spot every time!
Mindy says
I don’t care for olives, so I would probably leave those out. Otherwise, if I do add the olives, are they black or green olives?
This will be perfect for this weekend’s Sunday Funday pool party! 🙂
Amy Engberson says
This would be perfect for Sunday Funday! One of my kids doesn’t like olives either…you are missing out! You could easily leave the olives out if you wanted to. I add black olives!
Pat says
I made this for a pool party Yesterday, and it was a big hit. Both the name and the dip!! I substituted Fiesta Ranch dip mix for the plain ranch dip mix, and it added a spicy kick to the dip. This will be one of my go-to dips from now on! Thanks!
Amy Engberson says
Oh what a great idea! I bet s little kick adds a great flavor to this! Glad it was a hit!
Angie says
Reading this post, I think we may have been separated at birth! I need to make this soon !
Amy Engberson says
Appetizers and desserts are my life! What else do you need? Hope you enjoyed the dip!
Ginny McMeans says
I love seeing all those veggies in there. Yum!
Amy Engberson says
Ginny, I have to sneak veggies in my kids any way I can!
amanda @ fake ginger says
I’m with you on the jeans. And even if you don’t dry them, they still feel tight. It’s just not fair.
Totally saving this recipe for summer. It sounds awesome!
Amy Engberson says
Amanda, I wouldn’t save this dip for summer! That’s far too long to have to wait to indulge in this stuff! The poolside is optional!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Ooo! Love a skinny dip…you know what I mean! Also love the addition of green chiles! This sounds great!
Amy Engberson says
Patricia, a skinny dip is always a good idea! Haha! It’s a good thing this one is skinny because it’s addicting!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
Yep, I am so making this! Looks amazing!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Stephanie! It’s okay that it’s a favorite at my house because it’s skinny!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
I’m a chip and dip addict!! And I can’t wait to try this Skinny Poolside Dip, it looks delicious and would be perfect for our super bowl party!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Jenn! We are definitely eating this for the super bowl. After all, the super bowl is mostly about the food anyway!
Kelley says
Haha.. skinny dip made me laugh out loud. Maybe snort a little. And I hear ya on washing your jeans! I dread it. It takes awhile for them to fit just right again. Great recipe Amy! I love that Greek cream cheese!