Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip
Here’s THE ultimate vegetable dip! This Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip is ready in 5 minutes and adds a touch of freshness to all your dishes.

The ingredients you need
A few simple, flavorful ingredients are all you need for this recipe for this Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip:
- Crème fraîche: Adds a rich, creamy texture. Sour cream is a good substitute if crème fraîche isn’t available.
- Cream cheese: Makes it even creamier. Go for something like Philadelphia or a similar soft, spreadable cheese.
- Chives: They add a mild, slightly tangy, aromatic touch. Fresh chives have the best flavor, but frozen ones work too and save time.
- Untreated lemon: I use both the juice and zest to enhance the flavor even more.
- Salt: If possible, use flaky sea salt instead of regular table salt for better texture and taste.
You’ll find the exact quantities in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What is Crème Fraîche? Crème fraîche, pronounced krem fresh, is a thick, cultured cream with 30-40% fat, making it richer and smoother than sour cream (20% fat). It has a mild tang, won’t curdle when heated, and is popular in French cuisine, often used in sauces, soups, and dips.

How to make this Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip
This dip is so easy to make, here is what you need to do :
Chop the chives: Chop them finely so that their flavors diffuse perfectly in the sauce.

Mix the bases: In a bowl, combine the crème fraîche or sour cream, cream cheese, chives and a pinch of fleur de sel.
Add the lemon: Zest the lemon directly into the bowl, then add a tablespoon of its juice. Taste and adjust according to your preferences.

Variation ideas for this Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip
- A lighter version: Replace the crème fraîche with Greek yoghurt for a lighter sauce that’s just as tasty.
- A vegan version: Replace crème fraîche and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives such as soy cream or plant-based yoghurt.
- Vary the herbs: Change up the flavors by replacing the chives with parsley, chervil or even a touch of mint for a refreshing twist.
- Orange or clementine: Replace lemon with orange or clementine juice and zest for a touch of originality and sweetness.
What to serve this Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip with?
This light, fragrant sauce goes well with almost anything! Here are some ideas:
- With raw vegetables: Cucumbers, radishes, carrots… Place this sauce on the table to add a touch of freshness to your aperitifs!
- With grilled vegetables: Nothing could be simpler! I often serve it with oven-roasted vegetables or grilled zucchini. It’s perfect for a quick, healthy and delicious meal.
- With fries: Forget the ketchup! Try this sauce with sweet potato fries or classic French fries, like my Healthy and Crispy French Fries. It’s a healthier alternative that’s just as tasty.
- With fish: I also like to serve this sauce with fish, hot or cold. You’ll see, it’s excellent with my Parmesan and thyme-crusted cod or salmon meunière!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this sauce can be prepared a few hours in advance. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and use within 2 days for optimum freshness.
Too thick? Add a tablespoon of water or milk to lighten it.
Too runny? Add a little more cream cheese until you reach the desired consistency.
Recipe Card
Crème Fraîche, Lemon and Chive Dip
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream (100 g)
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (50 g)
- 2 tablespoons chives , chopped
- 1 pinch sea salt flakes or fleur de sel
Instructions
- Finely chop the chives.
- In a bowl, combine crème fraîche, cream cheese, chives and sea salt.
- Add lemon zest and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Adjust to taste.