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Salsa and Sour Cream Topping

A small rustic ceramic bowl filled with creamy, speckled sour cream topping mixed with salsa. A spoon rests inside, and loose chili powder, a lemon slice, and a jar of salsa sit on a dark wooden table in the background.

A bowl of chili is only as good as its garnish. While a dollop of plain sour cream offers a necessary cooling contrast to spicy stews, taking five minutes to compound that cream with spices and acid transforms it from a garnish into a highlight.

This recipe goes beyond the standard "sour cream and onion" mix. By folding in salsa, Dijon mustard, and a touch of curry powder, you create a complex, tangy, and savory cream that stands up to the boldest beef chilis. It bridges the gap between heat and cool, adding a creamy texture that is vibrant with flavor rather than just plain white noise.

Prep time: 5 minutes Chilling time: 30 minutes (recommended) Yields: 1 2/3 cups

The Ingredients

  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1/3 cup salsa (your preferred heat level)
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp curry powder
  • Dash of ground red pepper (cayenne)

Instructions

  1. Combine: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth.
  2. Season: Add the salsa, chili powder, onion powder, curry powder, ground red pepper, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
  3. Mix: Stir vigorously until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture turns a pale, speckled salmon color.
  4. Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a jar with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This downtime allows the dried spices (curry and onion powder) to hydrate and the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve: Dollop generously over hot chili, baked potatoes, or spicy tacos.

Notes from the Kitchen

  • The Curry Powder: It might seem out of place in a salsa-based dip, but the turmeric and warm spices in the curry powder add a savory depth that complements the cumin often found in chili. It’s the "secret ingredient" people won't be able to guess.
  • Make Ahead: This topping tastes even better the next day, making it a perfect candidate for prepping ahead of a dinner party.
  • Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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Prep Time 5 mins
Rest Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Courses:
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 5
Dietary: Dairy
Description

An elevated condiment designed to accompany hearty chilis and stews. This recipe upgrades standard sour cream with fresh salsa, tangy Dijon mustard, and a surprising hint of curry powder. It offers a cool, creamy contrast with a complex savory kick that transforms a simple bowl of soup into a meal.

Ingredients
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1/3 cup salsa (your preferred heat level)
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder
  • Dash of ground red pepper (cayenne)
Instructions
    Combine:
  1. 1
    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth.
    2. Season:
  2. 2
    Add the salsa, chili powder, onion powder, curry powder, ground red pepper, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
    3. Mix:
  3. 3
    Stir vigorously until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture turns a pale, speckled salmon color.
    4. Chill:
  4. 4
    Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a jar with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This downtime allows the dried spices (curry and onion powder) to hydrate and the flavors to meld.
    5. Serve:
  5. 5
    Dollop generously over hot chili, baked potatoes, or spicy tacos.
Note

The Curry Powder: It might seem out of place in a salsa-based dip, but the turmeric and warm spices in the curry powder add a savory depth that complements the cumin often found in chili. It’s the "secret ingredient" people won't be able to guess.

Make Ahead: This topping tastes even better the next day, making it a perfect candidate for prepping ahead of a dinner party.

Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Keywords: sour cream dip, chili topping, spiced sour cream, salsa dip, curry sour cream, condiment recipes, homemade taco sauce, rustic garnish, baked potato topping, willowgoldfarms, adfree, adfreerecipe, noadsrecipes
Read it online: https://willowgoldfarms.com/recipe-box/salsa-and-sour-cream-topping/