High-Protein Boat Dip (Viral Recipe)
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This TikTok-inspired boat dip swaps sour cream and cream cheese for cottage cheese for a creamy, protein-packed twist on the viral recipe. It comes together in one bowl with only 6 ingredients and is perfect for boat days, pool parties and summer cookouts!
If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen the viral boat dip making the rounds. Most boat dip recipes are made with sour cream and cream cheese, but in true EBF fashion, I swapped both for blended cottage cheese, and you’d never know! It creates the same creamy, scoopable dip while giving it a protein boost.
This dip gets its name because it’s exactly the kind of snack you want to bring along for a boat day, pool party or summer cookout. It travels well and tastes even better after it’s had time to chill and let all those flavors meld together.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Boat Dip Recipe
- Packed with protein: Thanks to cottage cheese, each serving has 10 grams of protein, which is pretty impressive for a dip!
- No sour cream or cream cheese: Blended cottage cheese gives you that thick, creamy base without either one.
- Made for summer: It’s cold, creamy and perfect for pool days, BBQs, cookouts or basically any gathering where chips are involved.
- So easy: You only need 6 simple ingredients and there’s no cooking required. Just blend, stir everything together and chill!
Looking for more warm-weather favorites? My sheet pan shrimp boil is perfect for an easy dinner. I also love this healthy banana pudding for a no-bake dessert. And if you find yourself with a ton of basil, I highly recommend making a batch of fresh homemade pesto.
Ingredients Needed
- full-fat cottage cheese – the secret to my high-protein version! Once blended, cottage cheese becomes super smooth and creamy, making it the perfect replacement for the sour cream and cream cheese typically used in boat dip. I recommend full-fat for the richest flavor and creamiest texture, but low-fat will work as well.
- taco seasoning – I used Siete mild taco seasoning, but your favorite store-bought or homemade taco seasoning will work. Some brands are saltier than others, so you may want to start with 1 Tablespoon and add more to taste.
- ranch seasoning – adds lots of savory, herby ranch flavor and pairs perfectly with the taco seasoning. I like the Simply Organic ranch dip mix.
- Rotel tomatoes – diced tomatoes with green chilies that add flavor and a little kick. If you can’t find Rotel, another brand of diced tomatoes with green chilies will work. Be sure to drain them really well so the dip doesn’t get watery.
- sharp cheddar cheese – I recommend freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor, but pre-shredded works in a pinch. You can also use a Mexican cheese blend.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Boat Dip
Step 1: Start by adding the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times.
Step 2: Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a large bowl and stir in the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning.
Step 3: Add the well-drained Rotel, shredded cheddar and green onions and stir until everything is combined.
Step 4: Cover the dip and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve chilled with tortilla chips, crackers or fresh veggies for dipping.
Brittany’s Tips for the Best Boat Dip
- Blend the cottage cheese really well: Don’t stop while it’s still grainy! You want it completely smooth so you get that creamy consistency you’d normally get from sour cream or cream cheese.
- Drain the Rotel well: This is probably the most important tip. Extra liquid from the tomatoes can make the dip watery, so drain them really well before adding.
- Give it time to chill: You can eat it right away, but it’s much better after at least an hour or longer in the fridge. The dip thickens and the flavors have time to come together.
- Taste before adding salt: Between the taco seasoning, ranch seasoning and cheddar, there’s already plenty of salty flavor happening. Taste after everything is mixed before adding anything extra.
How to Store
Store leftover boat dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a good stir before serving, as a little liquid may separate as it sits.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this dip. The cottage cheese and tomatoes can release moisture once thawed, which will change the creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boat dip is a cold taco-inspired dip that went viral on social media. Most versions combine sour cream or cream cheese with taco seasoning, Rotel, shredded cheese and other mix-ins. It got its name because it became a popular easy snack to bring on the boat, but you definitely don’t need a boat to make it.
Yes! This is actually a great dip to make ahead because the flavors get even better as it sits. Make it up to a day in advance, cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Tortilla chips are the classic choice, but it’s also delicious with crackers (like my almond flour crackers), baked pita chips or fresh veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers and carrots.
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Boat Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning, I used Siete mild
- 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning, I used Simply Organic
- 1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, well drained
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Add 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese, blended smooth to a food processor or blender and blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
- Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a large bowl. Stir in the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning until evenly combined.2 Tablespoons taco seasoning, 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning
- Stir in tomatoes, cheddar cheese and green onions until everything is evenly distributed.1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup green onions
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight, so the dip sets and the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve chilled with tortilla chips, crackers or fresh veggies.
Notes
- Seasoning: Taco and ranch seasoning brands vary in saltiness. Start with less and add more to taste, especially if you’re using a particularly salty brand.
- Rotel: Drain the tomatoes really well before adding them to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give the dip a good stir before serving, as some liquid may separate as it sits.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
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