Whipped ricotta, honey & thyme dip
GF
This whipped ricotta with honey and thyme is everything a summer starter should be — light, creamy, and ready in five minutes. It’s elegant enough for entertaining, yet simple enough to whip up anytime. Serve it with crusty bread and let everyone dive in.
When summer entertaining rolls around, I love having a few light, fresh starters that feel impressive without keeping me stuck in the kitchen. This whipped ricotta dip was made with exactly that in mind — something elegant, effortless, and make-ahead friendly so you can actually enjoy your guests.
What makes this dip special is the blend of ricotta and mascarpone. Fluffy, creamy, and delicately flavoured, they create a luxuriously smooth base that’s hard to beat. The mascarpone is the secret to that silky texture — and the best part? You can whip it up to three days in advance, making it one less thing to think about when hosting.
To serve, spoon it onto a platter and finish with a drizzle of local honey, a few sprigs of thyme, a pinch of chilli flakes, and cracked black pepper. It’s beautiful with toasted sourdough or rye, and works perfectly on a grazing board — especially alongside homemade crackers (like my Salted Sesame Crackers).
If you’re feeding a crowd, double the recipe — it never lasts long! With its creamy, subtly sweet, and savoury balance, this dip has become one of my go-to summer starters. I have a feeling it’ll become one of yours too.
What's in this recipe?
Whipped ricotta, honey & thyme dip
Ricotta
Forms the creamy, airy base of the dip. Its mild flavour keeps everything light, balanced, and smooth.Mascarpone
The secret to that irresistibly creamy texture, with a slight sweetness that complements the honey and thyme.Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Adds richness and depth, enhancing the ricotta’s creaminess with a subtle, savoury note.Fresh Garlic
A touch of garlic brightens the flavour and adds a gentle savoury kick that lifts the creamy base.Thyme
Brings freshness and fragrance, adding a delicate herbal note and a beautiful finishing touch.Honey
Good-quality local honey adds sweetness and warmth, perfectly balancing the creamy ricotta — and it’s delicious drizzled on top.Salt
Essential for balance, bringing out all the flavours and tying the ingredients together.Freshly Cracked Pepper
Adds a little bite and subtle heat, elevating the overall flavour.
Step-by-step photos
Smoked salmon & whipped ricotta dill dip
GF
This elegant yet approachable starter pairs light, airy whipped ricotta with fresh dill and a hint of lemon, finished with delicate ribbons of smoked salmon. Perfect for summer entertaining, it’s a refined dish that comes together effortlessly while delivering maximum flavour.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh ricotta
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove (crushed)
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill leaves
- 1/2 lemon (zest)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150g smoked salmon
- 1 Tbsp baby capers
Instructions
- Add the ricotta, olive oil, garlic, dill, lemon zest, and salt to a blender or Thermomix. Blend for 30 seconds until smooth, scrape down the sides, then blend for another 30 seconds until light and creamy.
- Transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving platter (or refrigerate until ready to serve). Use the back of a spoon to create a shallow well in the centre.
- Drizzle with a little extra olive oil, then scatter over the capers and fresh dill fronds. Arrange the smoked salmon around the dip.
- Serve with lightly toasted sourdough or rye bread.
Notes
Serving suggestion
I like to serve this dip with lightly toasted rye or sourdough. Also works well assembled onto bread slices and passed around as bruschetta. I like to double the recipe when serving to a large group of guests.
Storing
Dip will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
126Fat
9 gSat. Fat
4 gCarbs
2 gFiber
0 gNet carbs
2 gSugar
0 gProtein
9 gSodium
465 mgCholesterol
27 mg