Creamy Roasted Garlic Dip Recipe

If you love garlic, this Roasted Garlic Dip is made for you. It uses about 100 roasted garlic cloves, which melt into a sweet, caramelized paste that gives the dip a deep, mellow garlic flavor. Serve it with toasted bread, crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables for an irresistible snack or appetizer.

cracker dipped into garlic dip in bowl with wooden spoon

Table of contents

  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Recipe tips
  • Diet variations
  • Ways to serve it
  • More dip recipes

My husband summed this up perfectly: “It’s like artichoke dip, but with a lot of garlic.” Roasting the garlic transforms its sharp, raw bite into a sweet, mellow richness, letting you use much more garlic than you would raw. The result is a creamy, garlicky dip that’s bold without being overpowering.

Yes, this recipe calls for roughly 100 roasted cloves, which is about five average garlic heads. If that sounds extreme, consider three facts that make it work:

  1. Roasting garlic caramelizes and sweetens it, neutralizing much of the harsh raw bite and creating a spreadable, mild paste.
  2. The roasted garlic blends into a tangy base of sour cream and mayonnaise, balancing sweet and savory notes.
  3. This recipe is designed for garlic lovers. If you prefer less intensity, you can reduce the garlic, but the fullest flavor comes from using the full amount.

This dip is delightfully versatile—spread it on toasted baguette slices, scoop it with sturdy crackers, or use it as a creamy dip for wings or roasted vegetables. It also keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, so it’s great for parties or make-ahead snacking.

roasted garlic dip ingredients on white wood board

Ingredients

  • Roasted garlic – about 5 heads (roughly 100 cloves). Roast the bulbs until soft and caramelized, then squeeze out the cloves.
  • Sour cream – 1 cup, the main creamy base that adds tang and body.
  • Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup for extra richness; you can substitute softened cream cheese if you prefer a thicker texture.
  • Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed to brighten the flavors.
  • Italian seasoning – 2 teaspoons to add herbal depth.
  • Salt – 1 teaspoon, or to taste; you may want to add a little more after chilling.
  • Fresh parsley – optional, for garnish.
roasted garlic in glass bowl with whisk
smashed garlic in glass bowl
ingredients for garlic dip in glass bowl with spatula
roasted garlic dip in glass bowl with spatula

Instructions

Begin by roasting the garlic if you don’t already have roasted cloves on hand. Roasted garlic can be made up to 10 days in advance and kept refrigerated.

To roast garlic bulbs: remove the loose outer papery layers, slice about 1/4 inch off the top of each bulb to expose the cloves, brush with olive oil, and wrap the bulbs in foil. Roast the wrapped bulbs in a 400°F (204°C) oven for about 45 minutes, or place individually wrapped bulbs in an air fryer at 400°F for about 25 minutes. The cloves should be soft, squeeze-able, and golden brown.

  1. Add the roasted garlic cloves to a large bowl and mash them into a smooth paste using a whisk, fork, or the back of a spoon.
  2. Stir in the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Chilling improves the depth and balance of the dip.
  4. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice as desired. Garnish with chopped parsley if you like.
garlic dip in bowl topped with fresh chopped parsley

Recipe tips

  • Chill before serving. Refrigerating the dip for at least 30 minutes (and up to a few hours) helps the flavors blend and improves the texture.
  • Season after chilling. Salt and acidity can change as flavors meld; taste the dip after chilling and adjust salt or lemon as needed.
  • Make ahead. This dip keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making it perfect for entertaining.
  • Don’t freeze. Sour cream can separate when frozen and thawed, which affects texture.
  • Mix-ins. For a variation, stir in chopped artichoke hearts or caramelized onions for added texture and flavor.
  • No mayo? Use softened cream cheese or increase the sour cream slightly; note that the texture will be less thick without mayonnaise or cream cheese.

Diet variations

  • Gluten-free: The dip itself is naturally gluten-free. Serve with vegetables or gluten-free crackers.
  • Dairy-free: Substitute dairy-free sour cream and a dairy-free mayonnaise or cream cheese alternative to make the dip dairy-free.

Ways to serve it

  • With fresh vegetables: Carrot and celery sticks, bell pepper strips, broccoli or cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas are all great choices.
  • With crackers: Choose a sturdy cracker that can hold up to a creamy dip, such as thicker wheat crackers or multigrain varieties.
  • With chips: Ruffled or wavy potato chips work especially well, giving a satisfying crunch and scoop.
  • On bread: Spread on toasted baguette slices for crostini, or dip warm crusty bread directly into the bowl.
  • As a wing dip: It pairs beautifully with spicy wings or air-fried chicken for a creamy cooling contrast.
  • On potatoes: A dollop on a baked potato or roasted potato wedges adds rich garlic flavor.
  • As a burger or sandwich spread: Use it instead of plain mayo on burgers, steak sandwiches, or deli-style sandwiches for a garlicky boost.
creamy garlic dip in bowl with spoon

More dip recipes

If you enjoy creamy dips, try other favorites such as Spicy Feta Dip, French Onion Dip, Green Chili Chorizo Queso Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Cheesy Baked Taco Dip, or Buffalo Cheeseburger Dip. These offer a variety of textures and flavor profiles to keep your appetizer spread interesting.

Spicy Feta Dip thumbnail

Spicy Feta Dip

French Onion Dip thumbnail

French Onion Dip

Green Chili Chorizo Queso Dip thumbnail

Green Chili Chorizo Queso Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip thumbnail

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Cheesy Baked Taco Dip thumbnail

Cheesy Baked Taco Dip

Buffalo Cheeseburger Dip thumbnail

Buffalo Cheeseburger Dip

Roasted Garlic Dip

A creamy, mellow roasted garlic dip made with about 100 roasted cloves. Sweet, caramelized garlic mingles with sour cream and mayo to create a rich, spreadable dip perfect for parties or snacking.

Servings: about 14 ounces total

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus roasting time)

Cook Time: 25–45 minutes (depending on roasting method)

Total Time: about 35 minutes active time (plus roasting)

Author: Whitney Bond

Ingredients

  • 5 heads roasted garlic (approximately 100 cloves)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Roast the garlic until soft and golden. Slice the tops off the bulbs, brush with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for about 45 minutes, or air fry wrapped bulbs at 400°F for about 25 minutes.
  2. Squeeze or scoop the roasted cloves into a bowl and mash to a paste with a fork or whisk.
  3. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir until smooth and well combined.
  4. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

  • Chilling improves flavor; prepare ahead for best results.
  • Lasts up to 5 days refrigerated. Do not freeze.
  • Substitute softened cream cheese for mayonnaise if desired, or use dairy-free alternatives for a dairy-free version.

Nutrition Facts (per serving estimate)

Calories: 103 kcal • Carbohydrates: 4 g • Protein: 1 g • Fat: 9 g • Sodium: 224 mg