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Spicy Charred Herb Dip

By Amanda Luchtel

Published on April 25, 2026

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Spicy Charred Herb Dip

Ingredients

1 (2½- to 3-ounce) bunch fresh parsley, untrimmed6 scallions 1–2 jalapeño chiles ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 teaspoon table salt, divided1 lemon, cut in half crosswise½ cup fresh basil leaves 1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled¼ teaspoon pepper 1½ cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, divided

Before You Begin

To prep the parsley bunch, wash and dry the parsley sprigs, then gather them back into a bunch for easy handling on the grill. For a spicier dip, use both jalapeños. Using Greek yogurt here is key; don’t substitute regular plain yogurt or the dip will be too runny. Serve with crudités, crackers, or pita chips, or as a sandwich spread. This recipe will work on any grilling setup of high or medium-high heat; it’s a quick, easy recipe to prepare before or after grilling other items.

Instructions

  1. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter three-quarters filled with charcoal briquettes (4½ quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high; cover; and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high.
  2. Arrange 1 bunch parsley, 6 scallions, and 1–2 jalapeños on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon table salt. Turn parsley, scallions, and jalapeño until evenly coated, taking care to keep parsley bunched. Place 2 lemon halves cut sides down onto sheet and coat cut sides with oil remaining on sheet.
  3. Place parsley bunch, scallions, jalapeño, and lemon halves, cut sides down, on grill. Cook, turning herbs and jalapeños and rotating lemon halves occasionally, until lightly charred all over, 1 to 5 minutes for parsley and scallions and 7 to 10 minutes for jalapeño and lemon; transfer to cutting board.
  4. Trim and discard root ends from scallions and cut scallions into thirds crosswise. Trim and discard parsley and jalapeño stems. Squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from lemon halves.
  5. Pulse parsley leaves, scallions, jalapeño, lemon juice, ½ cup basil leaves, 1 smashed and peeled garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in food processor until finely chopped, about 20 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add ½ cup Greek yogurt and process until mostly smooth, about 20 seconds. Add remaining 1 cup yogurt and pulse until just combined, about 5 pulses. Serve immediately.
Spicy Charred Herb Dip
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Kendra Smith.

Spicy Charred Herb Dip

Headshot of Amanda Luchtel
By Amanda Luchtel

Published on April 25, 2026

Save

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

1 (2½- to 3-ounce) bunch fresh parsley, untrimmed
6 scallions
1–2 jalapeño chiles
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon table salt, divided
1 lemon, cut in half crosswise
½ cup fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, divided

Ingredients

1 (2½- to 3-ounce) bunch fresh parsley, untrimmed
6 scallions
1–2 jalapeño chiles
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon table salt, divided
1 lemon, cut in half crosswise
½ cup fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, divided

Ingredients

1 (2½- to 3-ounce) bunch fresh parsley, untrimmed
6 scallions
1–2 jalapeño chiles
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon table salt, divided
1 lemon, cut in half crosswise
½ cup fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, divided

Why This Recipe Works

This dip features a unique combination of charred scallions and spicy jalapeños. Two of the key ingredients are grilled parsley and scallions, which add a subtle smoky flavor, setting it apart from traditional dips. The blend also includes fresh basil and pungent garlic, all mixed with Greek yogurt, which not only creates a creamy texture but also introduces a tangy element that complements the herbs’ freshness. Additionally, the jalapeños provide a zesty heat that enhances the overall flavor profile. This versatile dip can be used for slathering, dipping, or as a topping, making it a valuable addition to outdoor festivities.

Before You Begin

To prep the parsley bunch, wash and dry the parsley sprigs, then gather them back into a bunch for easy handling on the grill. For a spicier dip, use both jalapeños. Using Greek yogurt here is key; don’t substitute regular plain yogurt or the dip will be too runny. Serve with crudités, crackers, or pita chips, or as a sandwich spread. This recipe will work on any grilling setup of high or medium-high heat; it’s a quick, easy recipe to prepare before or after grilling other items.

Instructions

  1. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter three-quarters filled with charcoal briquettes (4½ quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high; cover; and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high.
  2. Arrange 1 bunch parsley, 6 scallions, and 1–2 jalapeños on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon table salt. Turn parsley, scallions, and jalapeño until evenly coated, taking care to keep parsley bunched. Place 2 lemon halves cut sides down onto sheet and coat cut sides with oil remaining on sheet.
  3. Place parsley bunch, scallions, jalapeño, and lemon halves, cut sides down, on grill. Cook, turning herbs and jalapeños and rotating lemon halves occasionally, until lightly charred all over, 1 to 5 minutes for parsley and scallions and 7 to 10 minutes for jalapeño and lemon; transfer to cutting board.
  4. Trim and discard root ends from scallions and cut scallions into thirds crosswise. Trim and discard parsley and jalapeño stems. Squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from lemon halves.
  5. Pulse parsley leaves, scallions, jalapeño, lemon juice, ½ cup basil leaves, 1 smashed and peeled garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in food processor until finely chopped, about 20 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add ½ cup Greek yogurt and process until mostly smooth, about 20 seconds. Add remaining 1 cup yogurt and pulse until just combined, about 5 pulses. Serve immediately.

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