Cheddar Scallion Dip

By Melissa Clark

Updated April 4, 2023

  • David Malosh for The New York Times
Media 1 of 2
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(1,253)
Comments
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A cousin to pimento cheese but without those potentially child-deflecting red peppers, this cream cheese based dip is mild and slightly sweet from a splash of fresh orange juice. Pack it in a lunchbox with celery and crackers for your kids. Or, zip it up with a dash or two of Tabasco and some mashed garlic, spoon it into a bowl surrounded by good potato chips and serve it with cocktails to the adults. It will keep for at least five days in the fridge.

Featured in: No PB&J Allowed? Put Dips Into Lunchboxes

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Ingredients

Yield:1 cup

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature), cubed

  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced

  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste

  • Black pepper, to taste (optional)

  • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, as needed

  • ½ cup sharp Cheddar, finely grated

  • 1 small garlic clove, mashed to a paste (optional)

  • Hot sauce to taste (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

6 grams carbs; 70 milligrams cholesterol; 338 calories; 8 grams monosaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 14 grams saturated fat; 33 grams fat; 1 gram trans fat; 308 milligrams sodium; 6 grams protein; 3 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the cream cheese, mayonnaise, scallion, salt, pepper (if using) and paprika in a bowl and mix and mash well with a fork or spatula until smooth. Mix in orange juice until smooth, and then mix in the Cheddar. If the dip seems too thick, add a little more juice. Taste for seasoning. You can also mix in a food processor if you like.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
1,253 user ratings
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Comments

big hit with kids!

Made this with lemon juice instead of orange (it's what I had on hand) and extra cheddar (because I wasn't paying attention). My 12 year old tasted it and said it was the best thing he had ever had and I was an amazing cook. Yea! Big impact for minimal effort.

Karen

Orange juice seems odd to me, but I could see grated citrus of any kind, especially lime with the hot sauce.

Cait

I add thick cut crispy bacon, and a mix of jalapeño and Serrano peppers. The OJ is odd, but adds a nice contrast to a smoky bacon and the heat of the peppers. I highly recommend keeping it. I use fresh squeezed tangelos

Hedwig Brady

We love this keep orange juice it add a bit of surprise and makes it special

Michelle O

Orange juice is the best part.

Kyra

This is really delicious and great for a casual dinner - we had this with various crudites and bagel chips on a really hot day. Added a jalapeno and extra garlic, then used lemon juice instead of orange. Went easy on the mayo. Definitely recommend making this the day before to let the flavours meld.

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