28 Best Dip Recipes

Dips are an entertaining staple. Whether you're hosting a barbecue, Super Bowl party, or elegant dinner, there's a perfect dip for you. Most of these spreads require very little preparation besides some precursory mixing and potentially a crock-pot, and many dips can be made without needing to cook or bake any component. When it's time to serve, pop open a bag of your favorite chips, or slice up some bread and veggies to make your dip into a portable crowd-pleaser. 

While there are no ingredients that define a good dip, there are some common trends and cooking methods that separate dip varieties from one another. Many dips utilize a thick cream cheese or sour cream to bolster the ingredients together, while others include more summery herbs and ingredients for a lighter eating experience. You'll also come across variations in texture; some dips are prepared chunky while others are much smoother. So dust off your favorite serving dish and serve up some of these delectable dips! 

Dessert dips are an easy way to make your fruit tray more appealing. This caramel pecan cheesecake fruit dip doesn't require you to use your oven, which is perfect for a hot summer day when the last thing you want to do is cook. Its base is made of cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, vanilla yogurt, and canned caramel — how easy is that? It's topped with a crunchy addition of chopped pecans, which can be substituted with a different nut or omitted altogether. The recipe can also be modified to include your favorite confectionary complements like a spoonful of Nutella, strawberry sauce, or OREO cookies. Plate your dip alongside sliced apples, strawberries, or bananas. 

Recipe: Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Fruit Dip

Feta is the refreshing cheese of the summer. And when you combine this salty, yet light, cheese with cream cheese, you get the perfect light accompaniment to crackers or crudités. The process to make this dip couldn't be more straightforward; just add the cheeses together in a food processor with lemon juice, salt, and pepper with a freshly chopped parsley garnish. Besides using it as a dip, this recipe is the perfect spread to spruce up your sandwiches.

Recipe: Whipped Feta Dip

Did you try the Internet-famous baked feta and tomato pasta? Although the reviews for that recipe were mixed, the consensus for this baked feta dip is favorable. This recipe combines the saltiness of feta with oven-roasted vegetables like tomato, onions, kalamata olives, and garlic. It gives off Mediterranean vibes and is one you'll want to keep on your picnic table all summer long. Plate it with crusty toasted baguettes, pita, crackers, or crudités for a filling, yet light, snack.  

Recipe: Baked Feta Dip 

While some dips can be heavy on the palate, fresh ones made with bright summery herbs and ingredients like avocado can provide a lighter alternative. This recipe features the bright and abundant addition of dill and parsley, which is highlighted by a squirt of lemon juice. Unlike other dips, which rely on cheese for a creamy texture, this dip is made from blended avocados for a dairy-free alternative perfect for plant-based eaters or lactose-free folks. The utility of this dip is unmatched; it can be paired with sliced veggies, crackers, or spread on a sandwich. 

Recipe: Creamy Vegan Dill Dip

This dip has a cult following — and for good reason. It can be thrown together in a crock pot and is ready for serving in just a few hours. Unlike traditional spinach and artichoke dips, this one uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream, which both add a tangy element and keeps the dip light. Meanwhile, the artichokes and baby spinach add a delicious vegetal element that makes it easy to eat your greens. Slice up some veggies or open a bag of pita triangles, and you'll have a no-fuss dip ready in no time. 

Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This dip is inspired by the flavors of Mexican street corn and designed with a diversity of textures in mind. Every bite includes charred sweet corn, diced red onion, cojita cheese, and lime juice brought together with a summery avocado-based dressing seasoned with tajin. There's no cooking required, and the bites of soft corn and sublime, Mexican-inspired dressing are guaranteed to impress everyone at your gathering or taco night. Stick with the theme and serve the dip with a side of tortilla chips or use it as a topping for your tacos or fajitas.

Recipe: Elote-Style Corn Dip

Cheese, cheese, yes please! This dip doesn't fall short of our dairy-ladened dreams. It's made with grated sharp cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and several spicy additions like sour pickled jalapeños, chili powder, and cayenne. It's the perfect back-of-your-mouth heat that can be easily quelled with a salty tortilla chip or a sip of a fruity beverage. We mean it when we say that this dip is addictive and will have you coming back for a couple more spoonfuls. 

Recipe: Zesty Queso Cheese Dip

If you go to a Kentucky tavern, you're likely to find a crock of beer cheese on the table. This cheesy dip is made with sharp cheddar and pungent blue cheese, along with a kick from Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, and its namesake stout beer. Although the flavor of this dip isn't for the faint of heart, it's much milder when spread on rye bread and crackers. It's designed to be served cold, which is ideal for parties and events when you don't want to turn on the oven. 

Recipe: Kentucky Beer Cheese

Fire-roasted tomatoes are the easiest ingredient to use to elevate your homemade salsa. You won't have to worry about firing up your oven to crisp up your tomatoes though, instead you can buy a couple cans of fire-roasted tomatoes from your grocery store. In fact, this whole recipe can be made without using the stove; just combine your salsa ingredients in a blender and chill it for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld a little bit. You can also keep this homemade salsa in your fridge to spread on eggs, tacos, or quesadillas. 

Recipe: Fire-Roasted Salsa

No flavor and texture come close to caramelized onions. This dip is chock full of carmies and other alliums like garlic, shallots, scallions, and red onion. It's also unique because it contains porcini mushroom powder, which adds an umami flare, a Dijon mustard aioli, and crème fraîche for the most unctuous texture you've ever consumed. You'll want to keep a couple of breath mints handy for afterward. 

Recipe: Caramelized Onion Dip

Your crudités need this herbaceous, bright dip. It's made with fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and dill, along with a creamy Greek yogurt base. The best part about this dip is the subtle nutty notes from the tahini and the zestiness from the lemon juice. There's no cooking needed for this dip; just add everything to a food processor, chop up your favorite veggies, and plate the dish. It's the perfect dip for lounging in the summer sun or sharing with friends over drinks. 

Recipe: Tahini Goddess Dip

This perfect dip has a harmonious melody of spicy and creamy. This dip is made from homemade tomatillo and pepper jam and a Mediterranean-inspired yogurt dip. The jam itself is flavored with two different kinds of peppers and toasted coriander, which complements the nutty note of roasted pistachios and herby cilantro in the yogurt. It's essentially the yin-yang of dips — and one that is guaranteed to be the star of your appetizers. 

Recipe: Tomatillo Jam and Yogurt Dip

Although this looks like a boring party dip at first glance, Kentucky Benedictine dip is full of flavor and texture from ingredients like grated cucumber and onion. These veggies are covered in copious layers of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream, which gives this dip its thick consistency and creamy mouthfeel. Serve it alongside vegetables like fennel, carrots, endives, and jicama, or use it as a flavorful sandwich alternative to plain mayo. 

Recipe: Kentucky Benedictine Dip