Description
This Roasted Garlic and Creamy Beef Dip with Hot Honey is a rich, flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings. Roasted garlic adds a mellow sweetness that blends beautifully with creamy cheese, tender chopped beef, and a kick of black pepper, all topped off with a drizzle of spicy sweet hot honey for an irresistible balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Garlic
- 2 heads of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dip Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces cooked and finely chopped beef
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
Topping
- 1/4 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- Additional chopped fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the garlic and baking the dip.
- Roast the garlic: Slice the tops off the garlic heads to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, then wrap each head tightly in foil. Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the cloves are golden, soft, and caramelized. Allow to cool slightly for easier handling.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Whip together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add roasted garlic: Squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them into a paste. Stir this garlic paste thoroughly into the creamy cheese mixture for rich, roasted flavor.
- Incorporate beef and chives: Fold the finely chopped cooked beef and half of the chopped fresh chives into the cheese and garlic mixture, ensuring even distribution without deflating the creaminess.
- Bake the dip: Transfer the combined mixture to an oven-safe dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbling, and lightly golden on top.
- Finish with hot honey and garnish: Remove the baked dip from the oven and immediately drizzle the hot honey evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the remaining fresh chives on top for color and a fresh herbal note.
- Serve warm: Serve the dip warm alongside an assortment of crackers, sliced bread, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
- Roasted garlic mellows the pungency of fresh garlic and adds a sweet depth; don’t skip this step.
- Use cooked beef such as leftover roast or steak; finely chopping ensures easy dipping.
- Adjust hot honey amount to taste depending on your preferred spice-sweet balance.
- This dip is best served warm but can be prepared in advance and reheated gently.
- For a vegetarian version, omit beef and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables instead.
