If you are tired of being asked to bring napkins or ice to weekend cookouts or family holidays, I have the perfect solution for you! My cheesy bacon ranch dip and a fresh veggie tray are the absolute perfect way to impress without needing too many ingredients or too many kitchen skills!
This recipe just calls for:
- 16 ounces of sour cream
- 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning
- 1 packet of bacon bits (real, not imitation if possible)
- Approx 1/3-1/2 cup shredded cheese
You’ll want to have veggies or other dipping foods, like crackers or pretzels, as well.
First, put your sour cream in a larger glass or mixing bowl. Heat up your bacon bits in a skillet on low or in the microwave until heated but not frying (no need to re-cook, just reheating here).
As your bacon heats, go ahead and stir your ranch seasoning packet into the sour cream. Mix in the ranch seasoning, then add in most of your reheated bacon bits and most of the cheese, saving a few larger pieces of bacon bit and some shredded cheese for the top – presentation is everything!
You can refrigerate the dip in the mixing bowl for the next bit.
While your dip is chilling in the fridge, go ahead and prepare the dip-able items. There are a ton of options here: you can go as simple as grabbing just a bag of baby carrots and celery stalks at the grocery store, you can get a wider selection of seasonal veggies to chop up, or you can combine veggies and pretzels and/or crackers for a more diverse sampling. If you’re looking for a quick, cost effective dish, I suggest a bag of pretzels (about a buck or two) and a bag of baby carrots (less than a buck in my local grocery store). If you’re looking for ease, you can grab a pre-made plastic tray of veggies from your supermarket of choice and replate it with your dip.
The real secret is in making sure that your dip and tray look extra presentable! Find a cute plate or a nice sectioned serving platter or tray, and your contribution to the potluck, cookout, or holiday table will look delicious and thoughtful!
Go ahead – tell your Fourth of July hostess that you’re bringing veggies & homemade dip. I promise you (and the rest of the cookout crew) won’t regret it!
Kate with a Twang 
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