Key Takeaways:
- This creamy Dill Pickle Dip with Ham combines tangy pickles and savory ham for a crowd-pleasing appetizer
- Ready in just 15 minutes with ingredients you likely already have
- Perfect make-ahead party dip that stays fresh for 3 days
- Serves exactly 4 people with no waste
Why This Dill Pickle Dip with Ham Works Every Time
Need a party dip that’s not the same boring ranch or salsa? This Dill Pickle Dip with Ham solves your appetizer problems with a creamy, tangy kick that everyone will ask about. It transforms the best parts of a deli sandwich into a scoop-able treat.
I created this Dill Pickle Dip with Ham after trying something similar at a friend’s party. Their version was good, but needed more pickle zing and better texture. After testing different ratios, this recipe nails the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors.
The recipe makes exactly enough for four people, solving the common problem of too much leftover dip. It’s also ready in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or when you need a quick appetizer that still impresses.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 890mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 12g |
Serving size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 1/2 cup)
What You’ll Need
Equipment List
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large mixing bowl | For combining all ingredients |
| Sharp knife | For chopping ham and pickles |
| Cutting board | For prep work |
| Measuring cups and spoons | For precise measurements |
| Rubber spatula | For scraping and folding |
| Storage container | For chilling |
Ingredients List
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cream cheese | 8 oz | Softened to room temperature |
| Sour cream | 1/4 cup | Full-fat recommended |
| Deli ham | 1/2 cup | Finely chopped |
| Dill pickles | 1/2 cup | Finely chopped, patted dry |
| Fresh dill | 1 tablespoon | Minced |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 teaspoon | Not garlic salt |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon | Freshly ground |
| Salt | To taste | Start with a pinch |
For Serving (Optional)
- Crackers
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Pretzel chips
Possible Substitutions
- Cream cheese: Neufchâtel for lower fat option
- Sour cream: Greek yogurt works well
- Deli ham: Smoked turkey or leftover ham from other recipes
- Fresh dill: 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- Garlic powder: 1 small clove minced fresh garlic
Extremely Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
Phase 1: Preparation (10 minutes)
1. Set Up Your Kitchen Space
- Clear a clean workspace on your counter
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
- Place all ingredients on the counter
- Set out all tools you’ll need
- Set cream cheese out 30 minutes before starting
- Beginner Tip: Room temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth dip
- Warning: Cold cream cheese will create lumps that are hard to fix
2. Prepare Your Ham (3 minutes)
- Open ham package and place ham on cutting board
- Blot with paper towel to remove excess moisture
- Hold the ham slice flat on the cutting board
- Using a sharp knife, cut into 1/4-inch strips
- Gather strips together and cut crosswise into tiny cubes
- Continue until all ham is diced to approximately 1/4-inch pieces
- Set aside in a small bowl
- Beginner Tip: Aim for pieces smaller than a pencil eraser
- Warning: Pieces that are too large will make the dip hard to scoop
3. Prepare Your Pickles (4 minutes)
- Open pickle jar carefully
- Use a fork (not fingers) to remove pickles from jar
- Place pickles on a double layer of paper towels
- Press gently with another paper towel to remove excess juice
- Transfer to a clean cutting board (separate from the ham board)
- Cut each pickle in half lengthwise
- Cut halves into thin strips
- Turn strips and cut into small cubes (same size as ham)
- Blot chopped pickles again with fresh paper towels
- Place in a separate small bowl
- Beginner Tip: The drier your pickles, the better your dip will be
- Warning: Wet pickles are the #1 cause of watery dip!
4. Prepare Your Fresh Dill (2 minutes)
- Rinse fresh dill under cold running water
- Shake excess water off
- Pat completely dry with paper towels
- Remove and discard thick stems
- Gather the feathery fronds together
- Finely chop using a sharp knife
- Measure 1 tablespoon of chopped dill
- Set aside in a small bowl
- Beginner Tip: Start with less dill if you’re unsure – you can always add more
- Warning: Wet herbs will dilute your dip’s flavor
Phase 2: Mixing the Dill Pickle Dip with Ham (5 minutes)
5. Create the Creamy Base
- Place softened cream cheese in mixing bowl
- Check softness by pressing with finger – it should leave an indent easily
- Add sour cream
- If using electric mixer:
- Start on low speed for 30 seconds
- Increase to medium speed for 1 minute
- Stop and scrape sides of bowl with rubber spatula
- Mix another 30 seconds until perfectly smooth
- If mixing by hand:
- Use a sturdy spoon or spatula
- Press and smear mixture against side of bowl
- Continue until completely smooth with no lumps
- This will take 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing
- Check for lumps by rubbing a small amount between fingers
- Beginner Tip: If you feel any lumps, keep mixing
- Warning: You cannot fix lumps after adding other ingredients
6. Add Seasonings
- Add garlic powder (exactly 1/2 teaspoon)
- Add black pepper (exactly 1/4 teaspoon)
- Mix on low for 15-20 seconds or stir by hand until evenly distributed
- Scrape sides and bottom of bowl again
- Beginner Tip: Measure spices over a paper towel to catch spills
- Warning: Don’t substitute garlic salt or you’ll make the dip too salty
7. Combine with Ham and Pickles
- Add chopped ham to bowl
- Add chopped pickles
- Add chopped fresh dill
- Using a rubber spatula:
- Start at edge of bowl
- Cut through center of mixture
- Scrape along bottom
- Lift up and fold over top
- Turn bowl quarter turn
- Repeat folding motion 10-15 times
- Stop as soon as ingredients look evenly distributed
- Beginner Tip: Use a folding motion, not stirring, to keep texture
- Warning: Overmixing will break down the ham and pickles and make your dip mushy
8. Final Taste and Adjustment
- Take a clean small spoon
- Take a small taste of the Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
- If needed:
- For more salt: add a tiny pinch, mix, and taste again
- For more dill flavor: add 1/2 teaspoon more fresh dill, mix, and taste again
- For more garlic: add 1/8 teaspoon more garlic powder, mix, and taste again
- Give one final, gentle fold
- Beginner Tip: Remember that flavors will develop more during chilling
- Warning: Adding too much salt is hard to fix, so add very small amounts
Phase 3: Resting & Serving (1 hour minimum)
9. Chill the Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
- Select a storage container or serving bowl with lid
- Transfer dip to container using rubber spatula
- Smooth surface with back of spoon
- Cover with plastic wrap or lid
- If using plastic wrap, press it directly onto surface of dip (prevents skin from forming)
- Place in refrigerator
- Chill at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours
- Beginner Tip: Overnight chilling gives best flavor development
- Warning: Don’t skip the chilling step – it’s essential for flavor melding
10. Prepare for Serving
- Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving
- Peel off plastic wrap
- Stir gently with clean spoon
- Transfer to serving bowl if needed
- Smooth top with back of spoon
- Optional: create a small well in center and add 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- Garnish with:
- Small sprig of fresh dill
- Few reserved tiny cubes of ham and pickle
- Arrange dippers around dip:
- Crackers
- Cucumber slices
- Carrot sticks
- Pretzel chips
- Beginner Tip: Provide sturdy dippers that won’t break in the thick dip
- Warning: Keep dip chilled during serving for food safety
Troubleshooting Your Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dip is too thick | Cream cheese too cold | Let sit at room temp for 10 minutes and stir gently |
| Dip is too thin | Too much pickle juice or moisture | Add 2 more ounces cream cheese and chill longer |
| Dip is too salty | Ham and pickles both high in sodium | Add more cream cheese and sour cream to dilute |
| Lumpy texture | Cream cheese not soft enough | Beat longer with mixer or let warm slightly and remix |
| Watery layer on top | Pickles not dried thoroughly | Stir well; pour off excess liquid; next time, pat pickles extra dry |
| Not enough pickle flavor | Pickles not flavorful enough | Add 1 teaspoon pickle juice and mix gently |
| Ham pieces too large | Cut too big initially | Chop ham pieces smaller with knife before serving |
Variations of Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
Spicy Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
Add 1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeño and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat lovers
Extra Cheesy Version
Mix in 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a more decadent dip
Lighter Dill Pickle Dip with Ham
Use Neufchâtel cheese and Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and sour cream for fewer calories
If you love the tangy flavor of this dip, you might also enjoy my Pickle Ham Roll-Up Dip, which takes these same flavors in a slightly different direction.
Storage & Reheating Guidelines
- Refrigeration: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezing: Not recommended, texture will become grainy when thawed
- Make Ahead: Ideal when made 24 hours in advance for best flavor development
- Serving Again: Stir gently before serving again
- Travel Tip: Transport in cooler bag with ice pack if bringing to a party
Safety Notes & Expert Tips
- Keep Dill Pickle Dip with Ham refrigerated until serving
- Do not leave out longer than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour if over 90°F)
- Use fresh, unopened cream cheese and sour cream
- Wash hands before and after handling ham
- Keep cutting boards for meat and vegetables separate
- Store raw ingredients away from ready-to-eat foods
- If dip develops odd smell or appearance, discard immediately
For more delicious ways to use leftover ham, check out my collection of creative ham recipes that go beyond sandwiches.
Final Tips for Dill Pickle Dip with Ham Success
- Secret Tip #1: Add 1 teaspoon of pickle juice at the very end for extra tang
- Secret Tip #2: Chill the serving bowl before adding dip for longer serving time
- Secret Tip #3: Make sure all ingredients are very cold when mixing for best texture
- Secret Tip #4: Serve with both salty and plain dippers for flavor contrast
- Secret Tip #5: Save a few pretty pieces of ham, pickle, and dill for garnishing the top
This Dill Pickle Dip with Ham will become your go-to party appetizer. The combination of creamy, tangy, and savory makes it irresistible to pickle lovers and skeptics alike!
