Why You’ll Love Creamy Roasted Garlic Parmesan Dip Recipe

The deep, mellow flavor from slow‑roasted garlic brings a warm, nutty, slightly sweet garlic taste that you don’t get from raw or sautéed garlic.
It strikes a perfect balance between creamy richness (from sour cream and mayo) and bright tang (from lemon juice), making it versatile for many uses — snacks, appetizers, sandwiches, or even sandwiches.
It’s simple and uses everyday ingredients, yet feels gourmet enough for entertaining or a cozy night in.
The dip can be made in advance, giving the flavors time to meld and saving you prep time when serving guests.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

3 heads garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
¾ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives (for garnish)
Crackers, toasted baguette slices, potato chips and/or cut vegetables, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C). Remove the papery outer layer of each garlic head — being careful to leave the inner skin intact so the head stays whole. Slice about ¼ inch off the top of each head to expose the cloves.
Place the garlic heads, cut side up, on a large piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Wrap loosely in foil.
Put the wrapped garlic on a rimmed baking pan and roast for 50 to 70 minutes (depending on the size of garlic heads) — roast until the cloves feel very soft when pierced with a knife.
Remove from oven and let cool about 10 minutes, then squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their skins into a bowl.
Mash the garlic with a fork until smooth (or leave a bit chunky if you prefer texture). Add sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and Parmesan cheese (if using). Stir until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 2 days) — chilling helps the flavors meld.
When ready to serve, transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with chives, and offer with crackers, toasted baguette, chips or veggies.

Servings and timing

Serves: about 4 servings (depending on how you portion it).
Prep time: ~10 minutes (plus time to peel and prepare garlic heads).
Cook time (roasting garlic): 50–70 minutes.
Additional time: ~10 minutes to cool garlic + at least 2 hours chilling time.
Total time: about 1 hour (excluding chill time), or a few hours including chilling.

Variations

Use equal parts sour cream and mayonnaise to adjust creaminess.
Substitute plain or Greek yogurt for sour cream for a tangier dip.
For extra richness, use soft room‑temperature cream cheese in place of sour cream.
Swap chives for thinly sliced green onions, thyme, or other herbs — or skip garnish entirely.
Omit Parmesan if you prefer a lighter dip — without it, the dip stays vegetarian (if your mayo is vegetarian).

Storage/Reheating

Store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because it’s a cold dip made with dairy, reheating isn’t recommended. Instead, stir and serve cold as originally intended.

FAQs

What kind of garlic should I use — fresh bulbs or pre‑peeled garlic?

You should use whole heads (“bulbs”) of fresh garlic. The recipe relies on slow‑roasting entire garlic heads so the cloves caramelize and mellow in flavor; pre‑peeled or minced garlic won’t have the same effect.

Can I shorten the roasting time for the garlic?

It’s not recommended. Properly roasting garlic until it’s soft enough to mash takes 50 to 70 minutes in a 400 °F oven. Rushing it will result in garlic that’s too harsh or raw‑tasting, which can ruin the flavor of the dip.

Can I skip refrigerating the dip after mixing?

You can serve it immediately, but refrigerating for at least 2 hours (or overnight) greatly improves the flavor as the garlic infuses into the creamy base.

Can I make a larger batch?

Yes — the recipe scales easily. Double or triple the ingredients if you need more dip for a crowd; just roast enough garlic heads and maintain the proportions of sour cream, mayo, etc.

Can I make this dip ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely — in fact, it’s ideal for that. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store it refrigerated, giving the flavors time to meld for an even tastier result.

What can I serve with this dip aside from chips?

This dip goes great with toasted baguette slices, crackers, raw or roasted vegetables, pita, crostini with toppings (like tomatoes), sandwiches or sliders (ham, turkey, salmon), or even as a spread for sandwiches.

I’m vegetarian — is this dip vegetarian?

Yes — as long as you omit the Parmesan cheese (or use a vegetarian/vegan substitute), the dip remains vegetarian-friendly. The base ingredients are garlic, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and herbs.

Can I make this dip dairy‑free or lighter?

You could try substituting dairy-free yogurt or a vegan sour‑cream substitute and vegan mayo, but the texture and flavor will change significantly. Because roasted garlic has a strong profile, the result may be less creamy and more garlic‑forward.

Why does the recipe call for three whole garlic heads — isn’t that too much garlic?

Because roasting mellows garlic’s harshness, you need several heads to ensure the dip has a bold, noticeable garlic flavor rather than faint undertones. Three heads make the dip rich and garlicky enough to shine through the creamy base.

Can I omit the lemon juice or use less of it?

You can, but lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the sour cream and mayo. Reducing or omitting it may result in a heavier dip.

Conclusion

This creamy roasted garlic Parmesan dip is a simple yet impressive recipe — humble ingredients come together to create a rich, savory, and versatile dip that’s perfect for snacks, entertaining, or elevating sandwiches. With mellow roasted garlic, creamy base, a hint of lemon, and optional Parmesan, it’s a crowd‑pleaser that feels special but is effortless to make. Try it chilled with chips or crostini, and enjoy how garlic transforms into smooth, sophisticated flavor.