Food and Recipes Appetizers 42 Easy Party Dips and Spreads To Serve All Year Long By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 24, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer One thing Southerners can always be certain of is that with any celebration, no matter how large or small the gathering may be, there's always going to be a delicious spread of party appetizers nearby. While the main course is always the highlight of the event, we like to think the appetizer sets the stage and ensures that your crew gets a good taste of what's to come. We've rounded up our favorite easy dip and spread recipes for every gathering you host or attend this year. These appetizing dips are sure to keep your guests coming back for more. Plus, dip recipes are easy to double to ensure there's enough for everyone, not to mention they're also easy to transport. Some of these dip recipes require no cooking, others can be prepared in your trusty slow cooker, while the rest require just minutes of prep time. Whether you're looking for a savory or sweet dish, you can't go wrong with any of these crowd-pleasing picks. 01 of 42 Baked BLT Dip Skyler Burt Recipe: Baked BLT Dip The classic sandwich is reimagined in dip form, and has everything you love about the original. 02 of 42 Basic Pimiento Cheese Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Basic Pimiento Cheese You can never go wrong with this classic Southern appetizer that takes just a few minutes to prepare—no cooking required. 03 of 42 Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip You can never go wrong with buffalo chicken dip, especially when it comes together in just 20 minutes. 04 of 42 Black Bean and Corn Salsa Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Black Bean and Corn Salsa Adding some fresh ingredients to your summertime salsa will help spice it up with bright flavor. 05 of 42 Spinach-Artichoke Dip Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Dip Spinach-artichoke dip is always a party favorite. We love this recipe for its creamy texture and cheesy flavors. 06 of 42 Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Recipe: Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Texas Caviar is turned into a warm and gooey multi-layered dip in this recipe. 07 of 42 Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip This seasonal dip requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time and can be prepared a few days in advance of serving. 08 of 42 Rotel Sausage Dip Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Rotel Sausage Dip Transform just six ingredients into a classic dip that belongs at any gathering with this easy recipe. 09 of 42 Beet-Goat Cheese Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Beet-Goat Cheese Dip Cooked beets are pureed with dates and Greek yogurt to make this snackable, healthy dip. 10 of 42 Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip You'll know this dip is done cooking when the edges start to bubble. We can picture this seasonal dip being an ideal Thanksgiving appetizer served with toasted baguettes or crackers. 11 of 42 Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey Recipe: Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip If you don't want to add the extra heat to this crab dip, you can leave the hot sauce off of the ingredient list. 12 of 42 Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly Upgrade pepper jelly by serving it over a warm goat cheese mixture. A good stir will help it spread easily. 13 of 42 Pecan Praline Dip Recipe: Pecan Praline Dip You might want to double the recipe for this decadent dessert dip. We think it's best enjoyed with vanilla wafers for dipping. 14 of 42 Pecan and Fig Spread Southern Living Recipe: Pecan and Fig Spread This homemade spread is great on its own served with crackers or can be the perfect finishing touch to a charcuterie board. 15 of 42 Sweet Onion and Bacon Dip Micah A. Leal Recipe: Sweet Onion and Bacon Dip Caramelized onions and thick-cut bacon create a dressed-up take on French onion dip to make it worthy of a holiday celebration. 16 of 42 Corn and Jalapeño Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Corn and Jalapeño Dip Corn is always a good idea. And so is any dish that can be made in a slow cooker. 17 of 42 Hot-Sauce-and-Honey-Chicken Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Hot-Sauce-and-Honey-Chicken Dip Rotisserie chicken and your trusty slow cooker make this hearty dip easy to pull together. 18 of 42 Collard Dip Southern Living Recipe: Collard Dip This twist on classic spinach dip is a fun new way to enjoy the flavor of collard greens. 19 of 42 Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip Coastal Living Recipe: Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip Topping this cheesy dip with bacon and pepper jelly make it irresistible. 20 of 42 Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Recipe: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Make this dip ahead of time and reheat in a skillet on the grill before you're ready to serve. 21 of 42 Caramelized Onion Dip Getty Images / 7886565 Recipe: Caramelized Onion Dip Slowly caramelize yellow onions before mixing with other ingredients to make this hit. 22 of 42 Creamy Avocado Dip Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Creamy Avocado Dip Sure, you may be familiar with guacamole, but don't underestimate the power of a creamy avocado dip. It's great with chips or on top of sandwiches and burgers. 23 of 42 Shrimp-and-Andouille Gumbo Dip Brian Woodcock; Styling: Rachael Burrow Recipe: Shrimp-and-Andouille Gumbo Dip Classic gumbo gets an appetizer makeover in this easy and quick skillet recipe. 24 of 42 Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip Frozen peas are transformed into a colorful and tasty appetizer in this easy recipe. 25 of 42 Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip Recipe: Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip This hot dip may be one of our favorite seafood combinations. 26 of 42 Nashville Hot Chicken Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Nashville Hot Chicken Dip This dip is seriously spicy, and full of hot flavor. 27 of 42 Chicken Enchilada Dip Jennifer Davick Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Dip Take a favorite weeknight meal and turn it into a shareable appetizer with this enchilada dip. 28 of 42 Smoked-Tomato Salsa Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Recipe: Smoked-Tomato Salsa Plum tomatoes are perfect for this recipe because they are meaty but still contain a lot of moisture. 29 of 42 Carrot-Tahini Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Carrot-Tahini Dip Carrots dress up this dip that's reminiscent of classic hummus. 30 of 42 Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole Bacon, pimiento, and avocados make this appetizer an all-star. 31 of 42 Beer-Cheese Fondue Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Beer-Cheese Fondue Serve this hot dip with sliced cooked bratwurst, steamed broccoli florets, roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted fingerling potatoes. 32 of 42 Cast-Iron S'mores Dip Southern Living Recipe: Cast-Iron S'mores Dip This dessert dip will wow your crowd and remind you of summer campfires. 33 of 42 Queso Fundido with Mushrooms and Chiles Wynn Myers; Prop Styling: Lauren Smith Ford Recipe: Queso Fundido with Mushrooms and Chiles Toasted garlic, mushrooms, and green chiles top this three-cheese dip. 34 of 42 Texas Caviar Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Recipe: Texas Caviar This recipe has evolved over time to include ingredients like bell peppers, corn, and green tomatoes. 35 of 42 Smoked-Fish Dip Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Smoked-Fish Dip The salty and smoky flavor from the smoked whitefish is balanced by fresh herbs, crunchy celery, and cream cheese. 36 of 42 Crawfish Dip Greg Dupree Styling: Heather Chadduck Recipe: Crawfish Dip Cooking this dip in a slow cooker will allow you to easily keep it warm until it's time to serve. 37 of 42 Caramel Apple Dip Jennifer Davick Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip Give a sugary spin to a cream cheese classic with a crisp bruléed topping. 38 of 42 Warm Turnip Green Dip Recipe: Warm Turnip Green Dip It's Southern tradition to have a little hot sauce with your turnip greens, so be sure to offer guests several brands to choose from on the side. 39 of 42 Lump Crab Mornay Photo: Iain Bagwell Recipe: Lump Crab Mornay All-purpose flour and heavy cream give the dish its creamy texture, with freshly grated cheese giving it a savory spin. Serve with toast points perfect for dipping. 40 of 42 Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips If you don't have time to make fried wontons, use fancy potato chips or crispy tortilla chips. 41 of 42 Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip This spinach dip is hearty and filling thanks to ground sausage, pinto beans, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. 42 of 42 Smoky Kimchi Pimiento Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Smoky Kimchi Pimiento Cheese The cheese in this recipe is shred two ways. Fine shreds blend well with the mayo to make the spread creamier, while large shreds offer more body and texture. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit