Super Dips for Bowl Games

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Party dips make entertaining easy, turning vegetables, potato chips, and other delicious delights into quick and simple appetizers. These recipes elevate the everyday dip into something even more special, using unexpected ingredients and fantastic flavors to turn dips from mundane to magnificent. Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip gets an unexpected twist thanks to sweet Vidalia onion. Our Spicy Queso Dip is quick and easy, and fuses fresh garlic with pepper Jack cheese and canned green chiles. For a taste of the South, devour our Hot Crawfish Dip, or Warm Turnip Green Dip, two appetizers that basically speak with a Southern drawl. Whatever the party, these recipes make finger food your go-to appetizers. Dip in.
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Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Take a moment to meet your new favorite appetizer. This twist on the classic spinach dip is sure to please even the most particular guests. Just like classic spinach dip, the recipe mixes together spinach, sour cream, and chives to achieve that cool, onion flavor with a kick.

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Crawfish Dip

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Crawfish Dip

If you have some leftover crawfish tails but aren’t in the mood for an entrée, this is a unique (and easy!) way to use them. Filled with flavor from a variety of spices, guests will be wowed by the flavor of this simple dish that lets the slow cooker do most of the work. After making this dip, serve it in a slow cooker to keep it warm (and to avoid doing any extra dishes). Set this appetizer out with crackers or toasted baguette slices and watch it disappear at your next party. It also makes a great appetizer for a Derby party!

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Blue Cheese "Hot Wing" Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blue Cheese "Hot Wing" Dip

Serve this blue cheese dip with chicken tenders, celery sticks, and hot wing sauce for an appetizer everyone is sure to love. We also like it on burgers or tomatoes.

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Baked Goat Cheese Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Dip

Bake a mixture of goat cheese and cream cheese and top with a spicy tomato mixture for a warm dip that’s great for entertaining. You can assemble this dip ahead and freeze for up to one month.

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Muffuletta Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Muffuletta Dip

You can serve this versatile recipe on French bread crostini or with crackers over a block of cream cheese. Try tossing leftovers in a Caesar salad.

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Spicy Queso Dip

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Spicy Queso Dip

We love the spiciness of this queso, but if you like a milder dip, prepare it with a regular pasteurized cheese product.

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Southwest Salsa

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Southwest Salsa

Forget the jar and treat your guests to the freshness of home-blended salsa. This recipe has small kick, but you can double the jalapeños and red pepper, if desired.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

A sugary spin on a cream cheese classic with a crisp bruléed topping.

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Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip

You can keep the queso blanco warm in a fondue pot or 1-qt. slow cooker. These are hearty, and would be a winner for a tailgate too.

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Blue Cheese Ranch Dip

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Blue Cheese Ranch Dip

This dip requires only four ingredients and five minutes prep time. Serve it with carrot and celery sticks, sturdy potato chips, and hot wings.

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Warm Artichoke-Shrimp Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Warm Artichoke-Shrimp Dip

Dip pita crackers and breadsticks in our version of this creamy, garlicky favorite. Serve half of the dip first, keeping the remaining half warm in saucepan.

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Hot Crawfish Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Hot Crawfish Dip

Get your mudbug fix with this delicious dip and pair with crusty French bread.

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Baked Tex-Mex Pimiento Cheese Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Baked Tex-Mex Pimiento Cheese Dip

This warm dip combines undeniably Southern pimiento cheese with a Tex-Mex kick. Serve with French bread cubes.

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Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Use extra-crispy waffle fries as dippers in this delicious concoction of your favorite baked potato toppers. Don't forget the crumbled bacon and hot sauce.

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Jalapeño-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Jalapeño-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Just before the game, stop by a grocer's deli counter or the drive-through of your favorite restaurant for fresh, hot chicken tenders and serve with this homemade dipping sauce. Make them festive with team spirit skewers. Simply cut flags from scrapbook paper in the shape of pennants, and tape them to wooden skewers.

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Spicy White Cheese Dip

Recipe: Spicy White Cheese Dip

This made-from-scratch dip gets its kick from canned diced tomatoes and green chiles.

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Charred Peppers with Feta Dipping Sauce

Photo: Hector Sanchez:

Recipe: Charred Peppers with Feta Dipping Sauce

Look for a colorful assortment of baby sweet peppers in the produce section of your local grocer. Hold them by the stems while dipping.

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Smoky Ranch Dip

Recipe: Smoky Ranch Dip

Readers rave about how easy it is to prepare this tasty three-ingredient dip. Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce add a kick to the ranch and sour cream mixture. Serve with potato chips and assorted raw veggies.

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Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

If you've never tried homemade ricotta, then you're in for a tasty surprise. This will change the way you think about the store-bought kind. Be sure to stir only when indicated in the recipe.

Watch Us Make It: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

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Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip

Hot sausage spices up the veggies in this creamy, flavor-packed dip. Serve with corn chip scoops, red pepper strips, and pretzel rods.

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Beer-Cheese Fondue with Baby Cauliflower

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Beer-Cheese Fondue with Baby Cauliflower

Use this recipe for a quick, cheesy dip for baby cauliflower or any veggie you'd like.

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Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Recipe: Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

This flavorful recipe has a short ingredient list. Just layer cream cheese, shredded cheese, onions, olives, and tomatoes onto a store-bought black bean dip.

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Broccoli Salad Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Broccoli Salad Dip

Spin the old-school salad into a dip, and pair with everything from crudités to pretzel rods.

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Hot Brown Fondue

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Hot Brown Fondue

This creamy dip is the perfect recipe to use up leftover roasted turkey or chicken.

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Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Bacon and trendy kale update the hot spinach dip.

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Roasted Shallot Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Shallot Dip

Caramelized sweet shallots and silky mascarpone cheese add new-school touches to onion-soup dip. No need to waste time peeling all the shallots; after roasting, the papery skins easily slip away. Serve with Rosemary Salt-and-Vinegar Chips.

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Baked Tex-Mex Red Pepper Cheese Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Baked Tex-Mex Red Pepper Cheese Dip

"This is so addictive, I've never seen it stick around at parties for more than a few minutes!" says Courtney Champion (cooklikeachampionblog.com).

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Avocado-and-Feta Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Avocado-and-Feta Dip

Gloriana's Mike Gossin says this healthy dip is one of his favorite things his mother makes. "I like it so much I may have to write a song about it. Avocado, avocado, avocado dip!" Be sure to fold in the dressing gently so the avocado and feta stay chunky.

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Guacamole

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Guacamole

This tasty delight has become one of our most preferred staples in Tex-Mex cuisine. Fresh avocado and lime juice are essential to this delicious guacamole recipe.

Tip: While storing in the cooler, keep your guacamole from changing color by placing a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture.

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Bacon-Onion Dip

Recipe: Bacon-Onion Dip

Plan on this dish being scraped clean—few people can resist the combination of bacon, onions, and sour cream. Make a day ahead, and serve with a tray of colorful veggies.

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The Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer

Photo by Beau Gustafson

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip

For the perfect low-stress starter, try this rich and creamy baked dip. Tip: Bake Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip in four small baking dishes, and place throughout the party area.

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Warm Turnip Green Dip

Recipe: Warm Turnip Green Dip

Transfer the dip to a 1- or 2-qt. slow cooker set on warm so guests can enjoy this creamy dip throughout your party. To make it spicier, serve your favorite brand of hot sauce on the side.

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Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

Photo: Hector 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.

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Easy Greek Dip

Recipe: Easy Greek Dip

With low-fat yogurt as the main ingredient, guests won't have to worry about their waistline while they indulge. Busy hosts beware, this dip can be made ahead--it stores for up to three days.

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Fiesta Dip

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Fiesta Dip

Let Dad and other guests enjoy this cool, zesty dip as you get the grill going. Serve with Fresh Squash Chips if your dad likes veggies or with classic potato chips if that’s his style.

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Cuban Black Bean Dip

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Cuban Black Bean Dip

Start with black bean soup mix to make this zesty bean dip. Serve with slices of cucumber, bell pepper, or your favorite raw vegetable.

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