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If you like hummus you will love this zesty dip, stuffed with flavour and goodness. You will be so impressed with the vibrant colours and the bold taste of this amazing cilantro dip!

A fresh dip like this is perfect with the smoky flavours of BBQ, like Grilled Chicken!

Top down view of cilantro walnut dip in a bowl
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The weather is warming up, which brings with it cravings for fresh flavours, preferably in dip form. Vegetables are at their best, so why not give them the chance to shine?

This dip is one of the tastes of summer for me, fresh and lively and absolutely perfect to eat while enjoying the sun outside. It’s inspired by the sauces I grew up on, but with an updated twist I know you’ll love!

Close up of cilantro walnut dip in a bowl

Cilantro and walnut dip

I was inspired to make this dip by the flavours of my childhood. Walnuts are widely used all over Eastern Europe and the Caucuses, and add a nutty depth to the fresh, almost citrusy taste of cilantro.

I started with traditional recipes for various sauces and added some cream cheese and adjusted the consistency to turn it into a dip. Because what is a barbecue without a dip and some tasty dunkers?

Like beet borani, I often use it as a hummus alternative when I want something a bit more zesty. And it’s hard to go wrong with something this colourful and bold!

Process shot of ingredients in a blender

Serving suggestions

The real genius of a sauce like this is how it can be used in so many ways. Drizzle it over a salad or use it as a sauce for meat or dip french fries or…

There really is no limit! And to get really crazy, how about spreading on a sandwich

I usually keep it pretty simple and use this as a dip for fresh vegetables, crackers or bread. Perfect as a snack or to fill out a dinner table!

Top down view of cilantro and walnut dip in a blender

Storage and leftovers

The beauty of a dip like this is that it can be made in advance and stored for when you are ready to use, or to stay on hand as a readymade snack. It’ll keep up to three days in the fridge.

I actually prefer giving the dip a bit of time to rest before eating. Flavours will have a chance to meld together and make the dip even more tasty.

I would not recommend freezing the dip though. The dairy won’t respond well to freezing and can end up unpleasantly grainy.

5 from 2 votes

Creamy Cilantro and Walnut Dip

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 -8
This amazing cilantro dip is a stunning hummus alternative, zesty and chockfull of flavour!
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 75g / 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 20g / 1¼ cups cilantro
  • 1 lemon, juice of
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 250g / 1 cup cream cheese, cottage cheese or farmer’s cheese
  • 1-2 tbsp water
  • 4 tbsp This is an affiliate link.olive oil, extra virgin
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions 

  • Put all ingredients except for olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape the side of the food processor and process for 1-2 minutes longer.
  • With the motor of the food processor running pour in olive oil through the shoot and blend for 1 more minute until creamy. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Notes

Serve with a variety of vegetables, crackers or corn chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Julia from Vikalinka

About Me

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. amariken says:

    made this dip, hollowed out a red pepper and served with veggies, rave reviews, for me personally I will stick with 2 cloves of garlic next time, delicious

    1. vikalinka says:

      Happy to hear it was a success. Thank you for reporting back, I love when people try my recipes and let me me know how they turned out! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Natasha of Natashaskitchen.com says:

    5 stars
    This does sound so so good! have you tried using anything besides Walnuts? My son would love this but he doesn’t eat walnuts. Pinning this one for sure!

    1. vikalinka says:

      I would use pine nuts or cashews instead, Natasha. They have a similar creamy texture when blended. It’s also tasty as a spread on a sandwich or a burger. ๐Ÿ™‚ thank you for pinning!!!

  3. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says:

    This dip sounds like the perfect dip for a picnic!! I love the thought of cilantro and walnut together! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. vikalinka says:

      Thank you, Jocelyn! I love the walnut and cilantro combo so much!

  4. vikalinka says:

    Doesn’t warm weather make everything better!! Even food tastes more delicious. ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. laurasmess says:

    Oh yay! Warmer weather has finally arrived (sort of…!). Hopefully it’s just a sign of glorious sunny days to come. As for this gorgeous dip? Ah my gosh, amazing! I definitely would devour this by the spoonful (being another lover of cilantro or coriander, as we call it over here!) xxx

  6. sue/the view from great island says:

    5 stars
    I know I would love this, walnuts have such a deep earthy flavor! One of my favorite pasta sauces is basically just walnuts ground up with ricotta cheese. Have a blast in Italy!

    1. vikalinka says:

      I love walnuts for the same exact reason! In fact, I tasted the dip after I just made it and then added more walnuts because I wanted more of their flavour to shine through.

  7. Katya @ Little Broken says:

    This looks absolutely delicious! I love, love, cilantro so I will have to try this one.

    1. vikalinka says:

      I am such a cilantro addict myself, I add it to everything!

  8. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says:

    What a great recipe for summer bbqs, I love the cilantro!

    1. vikalinka says:

      Yay for summer and eating outside! It’s finally warm enough here. ๐Ÿ™‚