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Originally Posted On: https://spiceworldinc.com/health/healthy-options-for-dips-and-marinades/

Dips and marinades are the perfect addition to your summer meals. Not only are they tasty, but they are easy to make and can be an ideal appetizer to serve at any party. If you are considering making a dip or marinade, you might be wondering how to make them healthy. Some ingredients can be high in calories and not ideal for those who are watching what they eat. This article will discuss how you can make dips and marinades healthier for you. Believe us when we say that these recipes taste great and will make you feel better about eating them.

Skinny Guacamole Dip

Guacamole dip is a party favorite, but avocados can add a lot of calories to the dip. While avocados are healthy for you, one avocado can have around 350 calories. To reduce the number of calories in your dip without changing the flavor, you can substitute half of the avocado that the recipe calls for with greek yogurt. You will still achieve the same creamy and flavorful dip without all the calories. Additionally, to make your dip taste restaurant quality, mix organic garlic and organic shallots into the guacamole. Not only will it add health benefits to the dip, but it will also enhance the flavor.To make skinny guacamole dip you will need:

• 2 medium-sized avocados
• 1 cup of greek yogurt
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 3 organic shallots
• 1 tablespoon of organic minced garlic
• ½ cup of cilantro
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice

For an easy way to spice up your dip, add some Kickin’ Chili Onion Crunch Seasoning Blend to your guacamole for extra heat.

Caramelized Shallot Dip

If you like onions, then you will love this homemade caramelized shallot dip recipe. The traditional way to make this dip is with mayonnaise which contains a high percentage of saturated fat. A substitution you can make for a healthier dip is to swap mayonnaise with low-fat sour cream and ready-to-use garlic to still get a rich creamy taste.To make this healthy dip you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of low-fat sour cream
• 1 tablespoon of ready-to-use minced garlic
• 4 large fresh shallots
• 1 tablespoon of chives
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Once you have all the ingredients, caramelize the fresh shallots by adding them to a pan and drizzling olive oil over them. Sautee the shallots until browned then mix them with the other ingredients to complete your dip.

Healthy Marinade Recipes

For summer grilling, adding light and healthy marinades is a great way to add flavor to your meat. For your next cookout, consider adding a herby pesto marinade or a spicy pineapple mango marinade to your chicken, beef, pork, or fish.

Herby Pesto Marinade

Pesto is a sauce made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic. It has a delicious earthy flavor that is perfect for marinating meats in the summer. Traditional pesto marinades call for Italian dressing which can be high in calories and additives. For a healthier alternative, combine olive oil with Viva! Italian Herb and Garlic Seasoning Blend for the same flavor.

To make this light marinade you will need:

• 4 tablespoons of ready-to-use pesto
• 2 tablespoons of Viva! Italian Herb and Garlic Seasoning Blend 
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper

Mix all the ingredients and spoon over chicken, fish, shrimp or pork for enhanced flavor.

Spicy Pineapple Mango Marinade

This marinade is perfect for any lighter protein like chicken or fish. The pineapples and mangos give the marinade a tropical flavor that will make you feel like you are on vacation.

To make this marinade, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of Aloha! Habanero Pineapple Mango Seasoning Blend 
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 4 cloves of peeled garlic
• ¼ teaspoon of salt

Mince the garlic and mix with the other ingredients to make a quick and easy spicy pineapple mango marinade.

This summer, try some of these healthy dips and marinades. Not only do they taste great, but they are good for you!

To find more delicious recipes and learn more about Spice World’s onion and garlic products, visit us online.