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This BLT Dip turns everyone’s favorite sandwich into a creamy, cold party dip. A rich base of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo gets piled high with crispy bacon, shredded lettuce, and diced tomato. The only thing you cook is the bacon, and the whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes.
More cold party dips: Greek Yogurt Taco Dip | 7 Layer Taco Dip | Sour Cream and Onion Dip
Before You Get Started
A few things make this dip come together cleanly and hold up on the table.
- No cooking required. The only thing you cook is the bacon. Everything else just gets mixed and chilled.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Soft bacon turns rubbery once it sits in the cold, creamy base.
- Add the lettuce and tomato right before serving. They wilt and release liquid if you add them too early.
How to Cook the Bacon
You will need about half a pound of crisp, crumbled bacon. Any method works, so use whichever is easiest for you.
Stovetop. Lay the slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook a few minutes per side. Quick tip: use kitchen shears to cut the bacon right into the pan so it cooks faster and is already diced.
Microwave. Layer 6 to 8 slices between paper towels on a plate and microwave about 3 minutes per side, adding 30-second bursts until crisp.
Oven. My Oven Bacon method bakes it on a rack at 375°F for about 15 minutes with almost no mess.
Air fryer. My Crispy Air Fryer Bacon gets crisp in 8 to 15 minutes depending on how you like it.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How to Make BLT Dip
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
This dip tastes just like the classic sandwich, only creamier and a lot less messy. Here is how it comes together.
Step 1: Mix the base
In a medium bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened, full-fat cream cheese with the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth, then mix in the seasoned salt and garlic powder.
Brick-style cream cheese blends the smoothest, so let it come to room temperature first.
Not a mayo fan? Skip it and add a little more sour cream and cream cheese instead.
Want a lighter base? Swap the sour cream for an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
Step 2: Spread and chill
Spread the base into a shallow, flat-bottomed dish. I love a clear glass pie plate so guests can see the creamy layer under all the toppings.
Chill until you are ready to serve.
Step 3: Add the toppings
Just before serving, pile on the shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and crumbled bacon. Thinly sliced green onions are not part of a classic BLT, but they add a fresh, mild bite I love here.
For an extra bacon-forward version, stir a little crumbled bacon into the base too.
Reach for Roma tomatoes. They are less watery and easy to dice, but grape, cherry, or heirloom tomatoes work too.
Add cheese for a twist. A classic BLT skips it the way my Club Sandwich does not, but a little shredded cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella stirred into the base or sprinkled on top is delicious.
Step 4: Serve
Serve right away with something crunchy for scooping. Toasted crostini is my favorite because it feels closest to the real sandwich, but crackers, pita chips, pretzels, or even cucumber and bell pepper slices all work beautifully.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead
Make the base ahead. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, spread it in the serving dish, and cover tightly.
Prep the toppings early. Cook the bacon and dice the tomatoes ahead too, then store them separately in the fridge.
Shred the lettuce last. Cut it just before serving, or no more than an hour or two ahead, so it stays crisp and does not brown.
Storing leftovers. The dip does not keep long once the lettuce is on, since it wilts and weeps. Scrape off the toppings and the plain base keeps covered in the fridge for a few days. Add fresh lettuce, tomato, and bacon when you are ready to serve again.
More BLT Favorites: BLT Turkey Wraps | BLT Sandwich | BLT Pasta Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use turkey or vegan bacon?
Yes. Both work well here. Cook either one until crisp so it holds its texture against the creamy base, then crumble as usual.
What should I serve with BLT dip?
Toasted crostini is the most BLT-like option, but this dip is happy with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, or sturdy tortilla chips. For a lighter, lower-carb spread, cucumber rounds and bell pepper strips are great scoopers too.
Can I add cheese to BLT dip?
Absolutely. A classic BLT does not include cheese, but a little shredded cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella stirred into the base or sprinkled on top is a tasty twist.
Can I make BLT dip into roll-ups or pinwheels?
Yes. Spread the base on tortillas, add the toppings, roll tightly, and slice into pinwheels. Use a touch less sour cream so the filling stays thick enough to hold its shape.
More Easy Dips for a Crowd
BLT Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 3 Roma tomatoes seeded and diced
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 36 crackers or crostini for dipping
Instructions
- Let the cream cheese soften to room temperature. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream with an electric mixer until smooth and no lumps remain, then mix in the seasoned salt and garlic powder.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a small, flat-bottomed dish, such as an 8-inch pie plate. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, top evenly with the lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and green onions.
- Serve immediately with crackers or crostini for dipping.
Notes
- No baking required. This is a cold dip, and the only thing you cook is the bacon.
- Crisp the bacon well. Soft bacon turns rubbery once it sits in the creamy base.
- Pick a hearty lettuce. Romaine or iceberg hold their crunch, while softer lettuces brown and wilt fast.
- Seed the tomatoes. Roma are less watery, and seeding and dicing keeps the dip from getting runny.
- Top just before serving. Lettuce and tomato weep and wilt, so hold them until the last minute.
- Make it ahead. Prep the base up to 24 hours in advance and store the toppings separately, then assemble before serving.
- Easy swaps. Turkey or vegan bacon both work, and plain Greek yogurt can stand in for the sour cream.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
It is delicious and so easy to make. Christmas appetizer perfect❤️
Great feedback Cathy! Thanks for stopping by.
This was the first time I made this dip – it was gone in minutes! A crowd favorite for sure and I will continue making this for gatherings and parties!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Colleen.
Kristin,
Great recipe. Thank you for sharing.
I make this all the time games and parties. Also have added chives to cream cheese mixture and other spices. Always gets eaten up!
Thank you! Awesome feedback, thanks for stopping by.
I’m confused your picture shows onion amd garlic powder but your instructions say garlic and seasoned salt. Do i use both?
It appears the photo is labeled incorrectly. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I made this with vegan bacon and it came out great. It was a hit at the bacon themed party I attended.
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Ali.
Can these be done as a rollups (aka pinwheels)? Would anything need to be changed?
I think they would be delicious rolled up in a tortilla. I haven’t tried it myself, so I’m not positive that the dip would be thick enough, but I think it will work. Maybe add a little less sour cream.
I did just that! Same recipe and they turned out great! Took then into work and they were gone.
The first time I made this dip I was amazed at how incredibly delicious it is!! An absolute hit, so easy, and a crowd favourite. Thanks so much!
Thank you!
Can this be made a day ahead?
You can make the dip part, and cook the bacon ahead of time, but cut tomatoes and lettuce fresh before serving.
I use Mrs. Dash instead of seasoned salt. Gives it a unique taste. Everyone LOVES this dip!!
Awesome feedback Shellie! Thanks for stopping by.
I used Cajun spice for spice salt..
I also like pita chips with dip.
GREAT DIP!!
Add a little parmesan cheese to the cream cheese mixture.
Making this right now, can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it!! I’m still searching for a good season salt, what’s your favorite?
I have always been a fan of Lawry’s.
The BLT is my all-time favorite sandwich! Can’t wait to try this BLT dip!
That’s awesome Roxanne! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Do you bake it at all??
Hi Carole, no baking for this dip! It’s just a cold dip.
Love BLTs, so can’t wait to make this dip. Thanks!
This looks like the next snack I’ll fix my Grandson , He would live on bacon I if I let him, Would turkey bacon do as well.
This dip is easy and WONDERFUL. It honestly tastes like you are eating a BLT…only better.
Hi Kristin I can’t wait to make this dip of yours. It looks so good. And easy. One question when u do the bread in the oven do u just put the bread pin plain or w oil or butter on it?
Made the BLT Ranch Flatbread this weekend. So incredibly easy to make and utterly delicious!!!! Definitely will be making this again!