52 Easy Dip Recipes Guaranteed To Get The Party Going

The power of a good dip can set a really, really good party apart from the rest. We know that if there is one thing that's guaranteed to please a crowd of hungry Southerners every time, it's not going to be a cucumber canape. It's a dip. No summer cookout is complete without our succotash-inspired salsa or bacon-studded guacamole, and no tailgate is game-ready without our ever-classic spinach dip or slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip. Got a fancy affair? Try our creamy crab dip or smoky field pea dip instead. We've got the dips; all you need to bring is the chips. (Seriously, bring all of them. Corn chips, tortilla chips, potato chips, pita chips…you get the picture.) Here are our favorite party appetizer dips to add to your recipe box.

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip With Country Ham

Sweet onions and country ham give this classic dip something extra for your tailgate or cookout. They melt into a blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, along with frozen spinach. Prepare the dip in a skillet and place it on the grill to reheat easily.

Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Imagine your classic Texas caviar. Now imagine it but in a warm, melty, multi-layered dip form. Grab a tortilla chip and dig in for the full Southwest effect.

Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

You know what's genius? Guacamole with a Southern spin. Three standout ingredients will see you through: bacon, pimiento, and avocados.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

This could be the only spinach-artichoke dip you'll ever need, using frozen artichokes instead of canned ones for the best flavor. This dip is the ultimate blend of cheesy, creamy, and melty goodness. Panko bread crumbs add crunch to every gooey bite.

Collard Dip

Leave it to Southerners to turn collard greens into a delicious take on hot spinach dip. Cooked in a dreamy cheese and mayonnaise mixture, the collards will be scooped clean in 15 minutes flat. This dip gets baked so it turns bubbly and golden brown.

Crawfish Dip

Don't let crawfish season pass by without making this hot dip full of Louisiana flavor. Bell peppers, onions, celery, and Creole mustard simmer with the spicy ingredients. Even better: You can make it in a slow cooker for ultimate ease and to ensure it stays warm.

Rotel Sausage Dip

This dip sometimes gets a bad rap—but we don't want those people at our party anyway. In this recipe, both simplicity and Velveeta are key. Chorizo and green chiles give it plenty of kick.

Cast-Iron Salsa

You'll forget all about that jarred stuff after tasting this easy recipe. The extra step—charring the garlic, peppers, and onions—takes salsa to the next level. Use red jalape?o peppers to deepen the color.

Baked BLT Dip

Everyone's favorite sandwich is even better when reimagined into a crowd-pleasing baked dip. This savory snack will be hit, especially during the summertime when tomatoes are at their peak. This dip is best smeared on slices of crostini.

Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

This Southern spin on classic hummus is sure to have everyone talking—and dipping. Many of the ingredients are the same, except for the black-eyed peas which add an earthy flavor. Smoked paprika is the secret touch.

Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip

We'd dip everything but a tractor tire into this melty version of classic pimiento cheese. (And you can quote us on that.) We recommend keeping this dip in the slow cooker so it stays warm and velvety.

Creamy Crab Dip

Thickened to perfection with both mayonnaise and sour cream, the fresh crab in this dip still shines through. We've added a Lowcountry touch with Old Bay seasoning. Serve with crackers, toast points, and celery sticks.

Queso Fundido With Mushrooms And Chiles

This molten three-cheese dip from San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez gets extra flavor from a mixture of toasted garlic, mushrooms, and green chiles. The chiles are oven-roasted first for smokiness; the golden-brown layer of cheese turns gooey in a cast-iron skillet. Need we say more?

Sausage, Bean, And Spinach Dip

In our world, sausage makes everything better. Not to mention the pinto beans, cream cheese, and Parmesan. This dip is so hearty, it can make a meal.

Texas Caviar

You won't find a bigger hit with a Southern crowd than traditional Texas caviar. In our version, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and black-eyed peas soak up the flavors of vinaigrette and cilantro. Hominy and green tomatoes add a distinctive touch.

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Showing up to the potluck with a container full of pimiento cheese is as foolproof as it gets. Make sure to shred the cheese yourself and buy diced pimientos—not sliced. We shred the cheeses at different thicknesses for multi-layered texture.

Peach Salsa

Put those summer peaches to good use with this not-so-ordinary salsa recipe. Cilantro and serrano chile add a fun flare to the fruity salsa. Lime juice ties the flavors together and adds some zing.

Corn And Jalape?o Dip

Sweet corn and spicy jalape?o are a flavor match made in heaven. The bacon doesn't hurt either. This recipe is prepared in the slow cooker, then garnished with green onions.

Spinach-And-Vidalia Dip

This is a tastier version of French onion dip due to the sauteed sweet Vidalia onions. The flavorful veggies are stirred in with a simple mix of sour cream and seasoning. Get those ruffled potato chips and start snacking.

Cucumber Salsa

Even though this salsa recipe has no tomatoes in sight, it's still delicious. Using lots of crunchy cucumbers and Granny Smith apples, this refreshing dip is fit for any summer gathering. Dip in your tortilla chips or serve it over tacos.

Cinnamon-Raisin Almond Butter Dip

Party-goers with a sweet tooth won't be able to get enough of this dip. Made with Greek yogurt and almond butter, the dip is on the healthy side, too. Serve with apples for an extra sweet crunch.

Horseradish Pimiento Cheese

Adding an intriguing new flavor to our classic pimiento dip, this dip will have party guests begging for your recipe. In addition to horseradish, the key to this recipe is horseradish-flavored white Cheddar cheese. Use a high-quality mayonnaise for extra-rich results.

Creamy Avocado Dip

Smoother and tangier than its guacamole counterpart, this dip is flush with lime juice, jalape?os, and cilantro. You can lighten the dip but maintain its creaminess by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream. Use any leftovers on your burgers, tacos, and sandwiches.

Smoked-Fish Dip

Stirred to life by Adam Evans, the chef at award-winning Birmingham restaurant Automatic Seafood and Oysters, this sophisticated dip is smoky and herb-heavy. Capers, lemon juice, and pickles set this snack apart from the rest. Though it has a long ingredient list, all you need to do is stir all those amazing flavors together.

Beet-Goat Cheese Dip

This eye-catching dip is just as bold on the taste buds. The beets are oven-roasted and pureed with dates for sweetness. Greek yogurt and goat cheese provide a tartness and creaminess to the spread.

Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip

This fun-sounding dip gets its name from jalape?o peppers and pepper jelly. They're blended with cheeses and bacon and baked until nice and bubbly. Serve with baguette slices.

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Look for fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this absolutely decadent dip. The crab is mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar for boldness and cream cheese and Havarti for creaminess. We like to serve it with endive leaves for scooping, but a toasted baguette is delicious too.

Caramel Apple Dip

This four-ingredient sweet cream cheese dip is so simple. Just give the dip time to chill before you caramelize it under the broiler. Crack through the sugary topping and scoop it on a slice of apple.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes With Queso Blanco Dip

These Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes dipped in peppery Queso Blanco will warm you from the inside out. The easy dip only requires a few minutes of skillet time and a microwave. Keep it warm in a fondue pot or a slow cooker.

Spicy White Cheese Dip

This full-flavored cheese dip is prepared in a slow cooker for creaminess. Garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, and green chiles make it incredibly tasty on corn chips. Scoopable chips will help you conserve every drop.

Smoky Ranch Dip

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give this Ranch-flavored sour cream dip a smoky kick. We've provided barbecue, lime-cilantro, lemon-parsley, and horseradish versions too. You can pair this versatile dip with chicken wings, carrot sticks, or potato chips at your next tailgate.

Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

Once you've tasted homemade ricotta—simply prepared with whole milk, buttermilk, and cream—you may never go back. After 24 hours of draining in a cheesecloth, you'll have a wonderfully delicate and creamy cheese. Top with olive oil and pepper and scoop up with pita chips or crackers.

Baked Tex-Mex Red Pepper Cheese Dip

This recipe comes from the kitchen of Josie Spain of Woodstock, Georgia. The recipe starts like many cheese dips: stir roasted red bell peppers, green onions, and jalape?os in a mixture of Cheddar, pepper Jack, mayonnaise, and cream cheese, baking until the ingredients have all melted together. Cilantro and Worcestershire sauce add unexpected flavor.

Smoky Field Pea Hummus

This field pea hummus is topped with smoked ham hock for a more Southern flair. But first, we sautee the ham in a skillet until it crisps like bacon. In the hummus, we added fresh parsley to brighten the flavor.

Hot Crab And Artichoke Dip

We can't get enough of this cheesy crab dip, especially when fresh crabmeat is involved. If you need to substitute, use frozen, not canned. The crab bakes with a blend of artichokes, cream cheese, Old Bay seasoning, lemon, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese for a supremely satisfying spread.

Homemade Onion Dip

Put away the soup packet and chargrill onions over a hot flame instead. You'll be bowled over by the flavor they give to the sour cream base. Sprinkle with chopped chives to up the oniony element.

Austin Diner-Style Queso

Replicate the restaurant favorite at home with our recipe using white American cheese, chiles, onions, and seasonings. A mixture of water, milk, and cornstarch will bring it to the perfect consistency. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve alongside your guacamole and pico de gallo.

Sweet Onion And Bacon Dip

Elevate the typical French onion dip with double-smoked bacon and onions caramelized in balsamic vinegar. A pinch of paprika enhances the smokiness of this luscious dip. You'll be making this one for many Super Bowls to come.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This dip captures what we love about Buffalo wings, but is so much easier to make. Stir together cream cheese, Cheddar, pepper Jack, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and chopped chicken, pour into a casserole dish, and bake. We recommend serving this delicious dip with pretzel chips, celery, and carrots.

Sweet Pea Parmesan Dip

With such an easy one-step recipe, you'd never imagine this dip packs so much flavor. It's made of a blend of frozen sweet peas, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and chopped fresh mint. You'll feel healthier with every refreshing bite.

Cranberry-Jalape?o Cream Cheese Dip

Try something different at your next holiday party with this spicy, tangy cranberry dip. The salsa features dried and frozen cranberries, a splash of orange juice, and a hint of jalape?o, and sits atop a layer of whipped cream cheese. This dip is equally delicious on water crackers, a toasted bagel, or your turkey sandwiches the day after the party.

Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip

This herbal sweet yogurt dip will do double duty for your seafood and vegetables. Try it on grilled bread slices too. The recipe involves squeezing and stirring just four ingredients, then seasoning to taste.

Jalape?o Popper Dip

If you love poppers, just wait until you try the dip form. We blend two types of peppers—pickled and fresh—with cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, bacon, and spices. Scoop up with tortilla chips to complete the effect.

Shrimp-And-Andouille Gumbo Dip

We baked up an appetizer version of gumbo to star at your next party. The dish takes just 30 minutes to prepare, spending a minute under the broiler at the end to toast the buttery bread crumbs. Serve with sliced bell peppers and celery sticks to echo the gumbo's flavors.

Hot Crab And Shrimp Dip

A smoky seafood dip that only takes five minutes to prep? Yes, please. Let the oven do most of the work of cooking this savory, creamy dip, and then sprinkle it with toasted almonds.

White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese

Looking for a different flavor for fall? This recipe uses aged white Cheddar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce for a sharper take on much-loved pimiento cheese. This spread fits right in on a cheese board with cured meats, salted nuts, and pickled veggies.

Lump Crab Mornay

This creamy dip was adapted from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Onions, sherry, and crabmeat combine their subtly sweet flavors in rich cream. Keep the dip warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish and serve with toast points.

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This quick recipe only requires about 10 minutes of work. Use your Instant Pot to cook the chicken to tenderness in no time flat. After that, melt the cheese in the multi-cooker bowl, then stir everything together to finish under the broiler.

Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Hot in more ways than one, pepper Jack cheese adds a surprising kick to this classic dip. The otherwise-straightforward recipe involves stirring ingredients together and popping your casserole in the oven to bake. Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables.

Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip

Not your average cheese dip, this appetizer has a Southern edge. Be prepared to go heavy on the cream cheese and mayo in this cheese-laden dip. The crunchy, cayenne-spiced pecans make for a show-stopping finish.

Black Bean And Corn Salsa

This fresh salsa is packed with summer vegetables like corn, peppers, and tomatoes. The veggies do most of the work, with the aid of fresh-squeezed lime juice and cumin. Browning the corn and cumin in a cast-iron skillet brings out a wonderful toasty fragrance.

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Making this game-day favorite just got easier with a slow cooker. This big-batch recipe calls for an entire cup of hot sauce, along with a combination of cream cheese, Colby Jack, crumbled blue cheese, and sour cream. Serve with celery, carrots, and corn chips.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.