Oil-free Romesco Dip is made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in just 5-minutes. This vegan dip is rich and flavorful, full of umami satisfaction, a super tasty party appetizer and the perfect addition to your charcuterie boards
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Raise your hand if you’ve been looking for an easy recipe for a healthy vegan dip? You know, the kind that is so yummy everyone asks for the recipe? A dip that takes just 5 minutes to make, is full of wholesome ingredients and compliant with the giant list of diets everyone you knows is on? Low-Carb, No oil, Paleo, Whole30, WFPB, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Dairy-Free, etc. No worries, I’ve got you covered with this Oil-free Romesco Dip.
Honestly, keeping up with the latest dieting craze is exhausting. I find labels unproductive, limiting and frustrating for most. But, I understand the need to stick to what you know makes you feel YOUR best while also making others happy in their quests for longevity. This delicious romesco dip should cover you on all counts. PLUS, it will literally take you 5 minutes to make so you can tend to your own needs too.
What is Romesco?
Generally, Romesco refers to a roasted tomato and bell pepper (or chili pepper) based sauce that originated in Catalonia. Often it’s used on top of fish, poultry, meats, vegetables and stews. I’ve created a recipe that evokes the same ruddy color, the same smoky flavor, with similar ingredients that are available year round. No need to wait for summer-time farmers market tomatoes and peppers to be able to make this homemade dip. Make Romesco Dip NOW, when there are games to be watched with healthy snacks nearby.
What’s in Romesco Dip?
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Almonds—subs listed in the recipe card for those with tree-nut allergies.
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Smoked Paprika
- Cayenne Pepper
How do you make Romesco Dip?
A food processor makes this easy romesco dip in no time. If you don’t have a food processor, use your blender.
- Place all ingredients (roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, almonds, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar and spices) into the bowl of a food processor.
- Process.
- Scrape down the sides and process again.
- Pour in water while the processor in running. Scrape down sides and process again.
What can I serve this low carb dip with?
- Raw Veggies
- Roasted Veggies
- Crackers or Chips
- As a spread on a sammie or a wrap
- Thinned out with water or plant-milk as a sauce for pasta, grains, or roasted veggies
If you’ve never tried romesco dip, this is your golden opportunity. So easy to make and wholesome too. It’s a great alternative to hummus, though if you’d like to try a healthier recipe, look to this cauliflower hummus. Ideal for a healthy appetizer or snack. Perfect as a sandwich spread or thinned into a sauce, this simple recipe has limitless possibilities and I like that!
📖 Recipe
Oil Free Romesco Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 16 oz jar organic roasted red peppers
- ½ cup organic sun dried tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 2 small cloves garlic
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Toast almonds: place them in a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Cook, shaking the pan to redistribute almonds for 3 minutes, or until toasted, but not burnt. OR: preheat oven to 325 and toast on rimmed baking sheet for 15 minutes, until golden.
- If sun dried tomatoes are dry/hard, soak iIn warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.
- Drain red peppers and place in a bowl of food processor. Add in toasted almonds, sun dried tomatoes, parsley, garlic, vinegar and spices. Process until all ingredient are fully incorporated. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides several times and then continue. With processor running, slowly pour in the water, allowing mixture to absorb moisture evenly. Scrape down sides and process again. Check for seasoning and if mixture is too thick, add additional water 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Store in airtight container in the fridge for 1 week or the freezer for 2 months.
Notes
- I like to buy my almonds RAW and then toast myself, if needed. This keeps my pantry uncluttered, with flexible ingredients that are wholesome too.
- For tree nut allergies, substitute sunflower seeds for the almonds. Hemp seeds will also work.
- Tomatoes and Red Peppers are heavily sprayed produce—buy organic when you can.
- If you are looking for a thinner romesco that you can use as a sauce/spread, thin with additional water or almond milk until desired consistency.
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Gloria
I am always looking for healthy dips. This sounds awesome. I often will eat crackers and dip for lunch. Looks I need to add this recipe into my rotation. It contains some of my favourite ingredients.
Debra Klein
It’s so tasty and welcome change from some others that I eat way too often.
Lisa
I’ve had romesco sauce on lots of dishes, but I’ve never actually made it myself. I’m surprised to see how quick and easy it is for delivering as much flavor as you get. I would totally use this on a sandwich or wrap — and I have a feeling it’s going to be a hit at our Super Bowl party this weekend! Thanks!
Debra Klein
You’re welcome! Quick, Easy, Healthy….that’s where it’s at!
Carmy
I love that this only takes 5 minutes to make! I love me a quick dip, especially on Superbowl weekend! I’ll bet this will be inhaled at the snack table.
Debra Klein
Exactly! Move over hummus….there’s a new dip in town.
Sean@Diversivore
Awesome flavours, awesome combination, awesome recipe! Romesco is something I need to make WAY more often – it’s so easy, and (as you say) a great dip/side that’s also healthy and safe for nearly every diet. Thanks for the notes and substitutions too. Cheers!
Debra Klein
Thank you….this one’s definitely a keeper.
Dana
Love romesco! With veggies, with fish, tossed into a pasta, it’s glorious. I’ve never made it without oil, so I’m looking forward to trying this. Looks so so good!
Debra Klein
My philosophy is that ingredients should enhance nutrition, or be a flavor booster…when I realized the oil added neither to this recipe it was a no brainer to just leave it out.
Trish Bozeman
Ooooh if I could veggies/chips with dip for every meal I totally would. Love this healthy, oil-free romesco sauce! Perfect when you want dip, but want something healthy too. And I’m obsessing over those purple radishes. So pretty.
Debra Klein
Totally! I think purple is a neutral…and those purple dikon radishes are always the first veggie gobbled up when I do a dip platter.
Susan cohen
This is one of those recipes iI am going to think about all the time! It’s delicious! Rave reviews from my husband as well!