Kale Dip with Cream Cheese and Parmesan

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This healthy kale dip recipe made with smoky onion and creamy cheese is packed full of flavor. It’s a lightened up sharing dip, perfect for pot lucks, BBQ’s and get togethers and holiday parties! It’s a great side dish alongside a bigger spread, just about any time of the year!

You know what’s even better than traditional spinach dip? This decadent, easy Kale Dip with Cream Cheese and Caramelized Onions! Kale salads are not the only way to enjoy this leafy green vegetable!

While I love cheese dip, I wanted to create a lightened-up vegetarian appetizer that I could bring to parties that everyone (even meat eaters) would enjoy. The smokiness of this dip evokes a meaty, hearty taste, and the kale brings a great texture that you can’t get with spinach dip.

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The unexpected ingredient in this recipe is organic chipotle mayo, which gives the dip a spicy kick, the perfect complement to the kale and caramelized onions. This recipe is a great appetizer for a family gathering, or as a dish to pass at a potluck!

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Healthy Party Friendly Dip
• Smoky Chipotle Flavor
• Excellent Texture
• Perfect for Special Diets
• Vegan Option
• Gluten-Free
• High in Vitamins and Nutrients

🥘 Ingredients

Chopped Baby Kale: I prefer to use baby kale, rather than the large bunch of kale you can find at the grocery store. This gives the dip a great texture, but it is also more easily incorporated into the dip.

Chopped Onion: I use yellow onion finely diced. You can also use red, or white onion if you prefer.

Minced Garlic: Using a garlic press is a quick and easy way to mince your garlic, and get excellent flavor from your dip.

Low-Fat Cream Cheese: Keep this dip on the healthier side by using your favorite low-fat cream cheese.

Chipotle Mayonnaise: You don’t need much, but this secret ingredient gives this dip its smoky flavor.

Asiago and/or Parmesan Cheese: These are sharp cheeses that melt nicely on the top of the dip for an excellent finish.

🍽 Equipment

• Large Nonstick Skillet
• Garlic Press
• 1 qt Baking Dish

📖 Variations

Kale Artichoke Dip: If you’d like to make this more of a traditional spinach artichoke dip, pulse artichoke hearts in the food processor a few times to break them up. Add them to the pan after you sauté the kale, and sauté for an additional 3 minutes.

Make it Vegan: This recipe can easily be made vegan by substituting with vegan cream cheese and vegan mayonnaise. Leave out the asiago cheese, and instead sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast before baking in the oven, or use vegan parmesan cheese.

Spinach and Kale Dip: Add 1 cup of baby spinach along with the kale into this dip for even more greens!

No Mayonnaise: If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, or would rather use something else, try making this kale dip with sour cream. Combine the sour cream with 1/2 a season of chipotle pepper to get that smoky flavor. If you want more protein, make this kale dip with Greek yogurt instead of the mayo!

Add More Spice: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes before serving.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1: Wash and chop kale. Spray large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray and heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften and brown, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Combine kale with the onion mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in cream cheese, Chipotle Mayonnaise, 4 tbsp Asiago/Parmesan cheese and cook over low heat, stirring, until well blended.

Step 4: Spray 1-quart baking dish with olive oil cooking spray, then spoon onion and kale mixture into dish. Sprinkle with remaining Asiago/Parmesan.

Step 5: Broil dip until cheese browns and mixture is bubbling, about 3 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve in a large bowl with cut up vegetables, sliced whole grain baguette and/or whole grain tortilla chips for dipping.

❓Recipe FAQs

❄️ How To Store

After baking and serving, you can store leftovers in an air tight container for up 3 days. Warm in the microwave. This makes for great leftovers to enjoy for lunch. Spread on whole grain bead to create a cheesy kale sandwich!

👪 How To Serve

This super simple and easy to make dip can be served with crusty bread, raw veggies, whole grain crackers, pita bread or baked tortilla chips. You could even use it as a sandwich spread!

💭 Expert Tips

• Use a low fat cream cheese to cut down on calories.
• Use an organic mayo with natural ingredients like this one.
• Spray baking dish with cooking spray to keep from sticking to the pan.
• Serve hot, but let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
• Use baby organic kale to save chopping time and get a more delicate texture. 

🥧 More Healthy Dip Recipes!

• 7 Layer Taco Dip
• Healthy Guacamole
• Healthy Stir Fry Sauce
• Vegan Buffalo Dip
• Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
• Butter Bean Hummus
• Easy Greek Hummus
• Creamed Cottage Cheese
• Vegan Fondue
• Jalapeno Artichoke Dip
• Vegan BBQ Sauce
• Edamame Guacamole With No Avocado

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