Homemade low-calorie dip recipes – unofficial Slimming World dips
Here I will share with you a selection of low-calorie dip recipes and similar which should help you when planning a party buffet.
When you are planning a buffet the vegetable sticks, dips and sauces are a perfect element that could be made healthily without too much trouble.
Why Homemade Dips Are Better Than Shop-Bought
When you’re planning a buffet, BBQ or party, it can be tempting to grab a few tubs of dip from the supermarket. However, making your own dips at home is often easier than you might think.
Homemade dips allow you to control the ingredients, adjust flavours to suit your tastes and often reduce the amount of added sugar, oil and preservatives. They can also be a great way to add more vegetables, beans and pulses to your diet without feeling like you’re eating “healthy food”.
I love making homemade dips because they can be prepared in advance, stored in the fridge and served with a variety of foods. Whether you’re hosting a party, putting together a grazing board or simply looking for a healthy snack, there’s a dip to suit every occasion.
My Favourite Healthy Dips and Sauces
If you’re not sure where to start, these are the dips I find myself making again and again.
Garlic Dip
Creamy, full of flavour and perfect with vegetable sticks, salads, wraps or as a healthier alternative to garlic mayonnaise.
Roasted Red Pepper Houmous
A colourful twist on traditional houmous with a delicious smoky sweetness that works brilliantly with crudités and pitta bread.
Guacamole
Fresh, creamy and packed with flavour, guacamole is always popular at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.
Tangy Chilli Salsa
Perfect for anyone who enjoys a little heat. This salsa works well as a dip or as an accompaniment to grilled meats and salads.
Mushroom Pâté
A versatile recipe that works as a dip, sandwich filling or topping for jacket potatoes.
These recipes are all easy to make and can help create a healthier buffet spread without sacrificing flavour.
Garlic low-calorie dip
This garlic dip is a great lower-calorie alternative to garlic mayonnaise on Slimming World or Weight Watchers as it is lower calorie and lower fat whilst still being creamy and tasty!
Mushroom Pate
This easy recipe is perfect for a low-calorie dip, sandwich filling or even for on a jacket potato.
Great on Slimming World, Weight Watchers and other diets because it is predominantly mushrooms.
Spicy lentil low-calorie dip
This tasty flavoursome lentil dip is slightly spicy but great to accompany other dips for a buffet or party for a unique addition.
Coleslaw as a low-calorie dip
This recipe is perfect for all the family and is so easy to make.
It is great served with dips or as an alternative in burgers, with picnics or at a BBQ. It is a great low-calorie alternative.
Roasted Red Pepper Houmous
Free on Slimming World, great on Weight Watchers and other diets too is a really easy red pepper houmous recipe you should try.
Tangy chilli salsa
An easy tangy chilli salsa recipe perfect for those who like a bit of hot salsa and a low-calorie dip for all the family!
Garden fresh salsa
This is a tasty garden fresh salsa that is easy to make and some of the ingredients you might even grow yourself in the garden!
Tomato, herb and lime Salsa
Delicious low-calorie tomato, herb and lime salsa recipe.
“Sour Cream”
- 200g Quark
- 100g Fat-Free Natural Fromage Frais
- One lime
Put the Quark, fat-free natural fromage frais and the juice of one lime into a small bowl.
Whisk with a fork until smooth and cover. Leave to stand in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
This low-calorie dip recipe is great for a variety of weight loss plans and is usually free on Slimming World.
If this has made you realise you should use Quark more and are looking for more recipes with it check out my ultimate Quark recipe guide.
Guacamole
My guacamole recipe is easy to make in minutes and full of flavour for your dip table.
Avocados are swips on Slimming World but can be free using the Healthy fats allowance now. It is also often free on other weight loss plans. Each avocado is around 14 syns on the plan.
Depending on how much of the dip you have, swips can be calculated accordingly.
Chunky BBQ Sauce
This easy chunky BBQ sauce recipe is perfect as hot or cold as a dip. Full of vegetables it is great for a variety of weight loss plans.
Salsa Verdi
Check out the Salsa Verdi dip recipe and see what you think.
If you are following Slimming World, swips are negligible with the whole recipe being only half a swip.
Other weight loss plans may be different so do check.
What Can You Dip Into Healthy Dips?
One of the easiest ways to make dips part of a healthy snack or buffet is to serve them with plenty of fresh vegetables.
Some of my favourite dippers include:
- Carrot batons
- Cucumber sticks
- Pepper strips
- Sugar snap peas
- Celery sticks
- Cherry tomatoes
- Radishes
- Baby corn
Of course, dips aren’t just for vegetables. They also work well with pitta bread, tortilla wraps, crackers, breadsticks and homemade potato wedges.
Offering a mixture of vegetables and other dippers means there’s something for everyone to enjoy
What do you like to dip? Do you have any favourite dips you could share the recipe of?
Fancy 4 weeks of healthy lunches already planned out for you? Check this lunch plan out.
Would you prefer vegetables to dip or Doritos? Which are better for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Dips
What is the healthiest dip?
There isn’t one single healthiest dip, but dips based on vegetables, beans, lentils, yoghurt or pulses are often nutritious choices that can fit into a balanced diet.
Are homemade dips healthier than shop-bought dips?
Often they can be because you control the ingredients and can avoid unnecessary additives, sugar and excess oil.
What vegetables are best for dipping?
Carrots, cucumber, celery, peppers, sugar snap peas and baby corn are all popular options that work well with most dips.
Can I make dips in advance?
Yes. Many dips can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge until needed.
What dips are good for a party buffet?
Houmous, salsa, guacamole, garlic dip and mushroom pâté are all great choices because they appeal to a variety of tastes and can be served with different dippers.
How long do homemade dips last?
Storage times vary depending on the ingredients used, but most homemade dips will keep in the fridge for two to three days when stored in an airtight container.
What can I serve with dips instead of crisps?
Vegetable sticks, pitta bread, breadsticks, crackers, rice cakes and homemade potato wedges are all excellent alternatives.
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