Food and Recipes Dish Dips Cold Dips Every Southerner Should Know for Their Entertaining Repertoire 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 December 31, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke When it comes to hosting a party, every hostess knows that the appetizer course is just as important as the main course. From sausage balls to sliders, there are innumerable appetizer recipes to choose from, but our tried-and-true appetizer is a savory dip. While we're big fans of a warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip, we'd like to make a case for classic cold dip recipes. You truly can't go wrong whipping up any of these dips. They take only a few minutes to make, and some of them can even be made a few days in advance. Whether you're hosting a ladies luncheon and want to have crudités or hosting a tailgate party and need a dip that will keep until you reach your tailgate location, these easy cold dip recipes are sure to impress. We've included a cold crab dip recipe, for all the seafood lovers out there, and a cold spinach dip that's just as good, if not better than, the warm version. What are you waiting for? Dip into one of these recipes and unlock even more hostess potential. 01 of 12 Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip If there's one thing that Southerners have mastered, it's knowing that cheese makes anything taste better. Transform a frozen bag of peas into a green dip that even the kids will love. Serve with crackers, a toasty baguette, or carrots for a delicious and healthy snack or appetizer. 02 of 12 Smoked-Fish Dip Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Smoked-Fish Dip This well-rounded dip comes together in just 20 minutes, and like most of the South's favorite dips, it starts with a packet of cream cheese. 03 of 12 Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip The seasonal flavor of cranberries is always a welcome addition to a holiday appetizer spread. The heat from the jalapeños helps balance the tartness of the berries. 04 of 12 Sweet Onion and Bacon Dip Micah A. Leal Recipe: Sweet Onion and Bacon Dip Once you make this dip, your guests will request it every time you host an event. 05 of 12 Beet-Goat Cheese Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Beet-Goat Cheese Dip The earthiness of the beets meets the tang of the cheese to create a dynamic flavor palette in this dip. 06 of 12 Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips Would it truly be an appetizer spread in the south if there wasn't some form of seafood in the mix? 07 of 12 Black-eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip Beth Dreiling Recipe: Black-eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip Black-eyed peas and ham are an ingredient match made in heaven. Put both in a dip and you've got an appetizer that will be scooped up in minutes. 08 of 12 Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip Hector Sanchez Recipe: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip Homemade ricotta will rock all opinions you had of the store-bought kind. 09 of 12 Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip Iain Bagwell Recipe: Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip With the way Southerners love congealed salads, this savory, sweet, and tangy dip should be no surprise when included in an appetizer spread. Don't knock it till you've tried it. 10 of 12 Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip This dip can be made up to two days in advance, so you can focus on all your hot foods the day of the tailgate. 11 of 12 Bacon-Cheese Dip Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Bacon-Cheese Dip Blue cheese and bacon make for an epic combination in this creamy dip. 12 of 12 Creamy Crab Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip A nostalgic recipe that's just like the way Mama makes it. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit