Cream cheese can be used to make dip for chips however, because cream cheese is not always readily available you can be forced to resort to substitutes. There are a number of cream cheese substitutes that you can find but, it is important to find a cream cheese substitute that is specifically for making a dip. The article below highlights the most suitable substitutes for cream cheese when making a dip. It is worth noting that cream cheese has a creamy texture and tangy flavour to it, therefore the substitutes highlighted have some of these characteristics since the dip has to have a tangy taste to it.
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Mascarpone cheese
Mascarpone cheese in an Italian type of cheese but it is a good substitute for cream cheese in dip because it has the same flavour and texture as cream cheese. Its texture is smooth, creamy and thick and it is slightly less acidic as compared to cream cheese. Mascarpone cheese has the same health benefits as cream cheese that is also another reason why it works as a good substitute. It is high in calcium and protein but low in sodium and this is a good thing. The downside of using mascarpone cheese as a substitute for cream cheese in dip is that it is very high in fat so if you are someone who suffers from heart conditions you should definitely limit your intake of this type of cheese.
Greek yoghurt
If you want to make a delicious dip you can substitute cream cheese with Greek yoghurt. This is because Greek yoghurt has that tangy taste that is found in cream cheese furthermore, when it is strained it will have a texture that is almost similar to cream cheese. Using Greek yoghurt is actually healthier than using cream cheese when making a dip this is because Greek yoghurt is fat free and it is packed with protein. When using Greek yoghurt to substitute cream cheese in dip it is important to first strain the Greek yoghurt. In order to do this you need to place the Greek yoghurt in a cheesecloth and then place it inside a bowl that has a strainer. Leave the Greek yoghurt there for 8 to 12 hours or simply place it there overnight so that the excess whey can drip out properly. In the morning the yoghurt will be thick and similar in texture to cream cheese. It is worth noting that 1 cup of Greek yoghurt produces ½ a cup of cream cheese.
Sour cream
Sour cream has that tangy flavour that is found in cream cheese therefore it can be used as a substitute for cream cheese when making a dip. Sour cream is naturally sour and it has a thick consistency to it, therefore when used to make a dip it will bring a subtle tangy taste to the dip which is perfect for dipping your chips in. Although sour cream is similar to cream cheese in terms of flavour it contains a lot of saturated fats which are not healthy for the body. Therefore when using sour cream as a substitute for cream cheese you need to be aware of the health implications that it can cause so that you don’t over consume it.
Goat cheese
Goat cheese is a good substitute for cream cheese in dip this is because it has a tanginess that mimics that of cream cheese. Furthermore, it has a smooth spreadable texture just like cream cheese. Although goat cheese has all the characteristics of cream cheese it is more expensive than cream cheese. Goat cheese is high in fat but you can also find low-fat goat cheese in some grocery stores. When substituting cream cheese with goat cheese simply use ¾ of a cup of goat cheese for every 1 cup of creamy cheese. This is because goat cheese is a little bit denser and fattening as compared to cream cheese.
Little Swiss
Little Swiss is a substitute for cream cheese in dip. Little Swiss is a French type of cheese and it is unsalted cheese which has a thick texture that is somehow similar to yoghurt therefore it can work as a decent substitute for cream cheese because of its texture. Little Swiss contains fat so you have to be careful not to over consume it as it can cause health problems. When making a dip with Little Swiss you can add any spices or herbs of your choice just to boost up the flavour. The measurements for substituting cream cheese with little Swiss are that for every cup of cream cheese you add 1 small container of little Swiss.
Gervais
Gervais is an excellent substitute for cream cheese since it gives the same spreadable texture as cream cheese and also it has the same tangy flavour that is found in cream cheese. Gervais is a French type of cheese that has so many nutrients therefore it is actually a healthier alternative to cream cheese. Gervais can be used as substitute for cream cheese in all recipes that require cream cheese however, the problem is that Gervais is not always readily available in grocery stores but, if you happen to see it then this is the prefect substitute to use.
Conclusion
Substituting cream cheese in dip is simple since you have to use ingredients that have almost the same flavour profile as cream cheese and you should also consider the texture. The above article has noted the most suitable substitutes for cream cheese and the most recommended substitute for cream cheese is Gervais as it has the same flavour and texture as cream cheese but the only problem is that it is not readily available in grocery stores. However, if you do come across it you should definitely buy it. Mascarpone cheese can also be used as a substitute for cream cheese since it has a flavour that is similar to cream cheese. The other substitutes for cream cheese that were highlighted include Greek yoghurt, sour cream, goat cheese and little Swiss.
