22 Crowd-Pleasing Dip Recipes for Any Gathering (2024)

We Tried 63 Store-Bought Dips—Here Are Our 6 Favorites

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

No matter the season, this baked dip is a surefire crowd-pleaser. Mix the dip (do not bake), cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance. Bake according to the recipe instructions, adding 15 minutes to the baking time.

Easy Guacamole

You'll never buy guacamole from the store again once you taste this fresh version that takes just 15 minutes. Leave the jalapeño seeds intact if you like a spicier dip.

Deeply Caramelized Onion Dip

The secret to this dip is perfectly caramelized onions, which you can achieve by cooking them over low heat and stirring them frequently. You'll finish off the onions with a glug of steak sauce, which adds rich, bold flavor, then top the dip (which also includes sour cream) with chives, adding texture and even more onion-y notes. Serve this dip with fresh vegetables and potato chips to wow your guests.

Fresh Tomatillo Salsa

This version of salsa verde is made with tomatillos, white onion, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Use it as a zesty dip for tortilla chips, or drizzle it over fish, tacos, meats, and more. Try roasting the tomatillos first to add more depth of flavor to this easy salsa recipe.

Glorious Green Dip

While dips may get a bad rap, this nutritious iteration combines decadent flavors with healthy ingredients. Start by charring scallions, which adds unparalleled depth of flavor and crowd-pleasing onion-y notes. Then, blend with fresh spinach, mild cannellini beans, punchy chives, and just enough mayonnaise to get that perfect creamy texture. A squeeze of lemon juice adds some zesty brightness. Serve with fresh veggies, chips, or whatever else you like to dip.

Guacamole and Chips

The key to this guac is picking out five perfectly ripe avocados. The green fruits are cut into chunks and joined by cilantro, red onion, chopped jalapeño, lime juice, salt, and pepper. If you don't like spice, skip the jalapeño. You can also add optional ingredients to your guacamole, such as diced tomatoes, cumin, and more.

Caramelized Shallot Dip

Caramelization strikes again! Shallots stand in for onions and are slowly cooked over low heat until they become soft, sweeter, and rich in umami. Then, they're joined by the usual onion dip suspects, including sour cream, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. If you've got either bagel or pita chips idling in your pantry, this would be a great time to bring them out.

Pico de Gallo

This taco night staple calls for fresh plum tomatoes and a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, which helps even out the bright flavors of the tomatoes. You'll also find salt and lime, as well as heat in the form of a pinch of cayenne and minced jalapeño. To lessen the spice factor, leave out those bold jalapeño seeds.

Chimichurri Yogurt Dip

Chimichurri is a classic Argentinian herb-and-oil sauce usually served with grilled meats. Here, the bright and punchy mixture is swirled into thick Greek yogurt for a pretty presentation and fresh flavor. Serve this rich dip with sliced vegetables, crunchy lettuce, and bitter chicories to compliment the creamy notes and texture.

Cheesy Chile Dip

If you love spice, this dip is for you. It's a cheesy mixture of five different peppers—perfect for a party, game day, or a comfort food weekend treat. And though it might not seem like it, this dip is also surprisingly versatile. If you want to ramp up the heat, swap in pepper jack for the Monterey, or toss in a serrano pepper. To make a milder version, go with sweet peppers instead of spicy ones.

Spinach and Caramelized Onion Dip

Frozen spinach adds an easy pop of color and nutrient boost to this delicious onion dip, which again calls for some beautifully caramelized alliums. Serve it with broccoli or cauliflower florets, endive spears, and radishes for a healthy, satiating appetizer.

5-Minute Hummus

As you may have guessed, this easy hummus comes together in a matter of minutes.

Pink Hummus

This easy dip gets its bright pink hue courtesy of a small, cooked beet. The fiber-packed veggie adds a subtle sweetness that balances out the slightly bitter tahini and makes this dip fully Instagram-worthy.

Carrot-Ginger Dip

As you may have guessed, this bright dip gets its orange hue from a few large carrots, which are cooked until tender with peppery ginger, and then pureed in a blender with maple syrup to add a subtle sweetness to the mixture. Garlic adds kick, while olive oil lends depth and smooth texture. Garnish the dip with a bit of pickled ginger for a pop of freshness.

Homemade Guacamole

If you feel like you can never get your guac recipe just right, go ahead and follow this recipe. We've done the hard part of finding the ideal proportions, so each bite will have the perfect balance of creamy avocado, chopped cilantro, acidic lime juice, and ​​heat from jalapeño. This 10-minute dip is a hit for a reason!

Artichoke Dip

Though this dip may sound rich, it's not as decadent as you may think. In this recipe, Greek yogurt takes the place of the standard mayonnaise, cream cheese, and sour cream, while a little bit of olive oil adds richness. And while this easy appetizer comes together quickly, the longer it marinates, the more the artichoke flavor shines through. In other words, feel free to prep this dip ahead for game day spreads or pre-dinner snacks.

Goat Cheese Spread

Combine store-bought goat cheese with fresh, chopped herbs and black pepper to create this simple, earthy spread.

Vegan Queso

A queso dip with no queso? It's possible, and it's delicious. In this recipe, the dip's velvety smooth, creamy texture comes from cashew cream. You'll also add green chiles, chipotle pepper, and cumin seeds, which layer in warming, crave-worthy complexity. To truly get that cheesy flavor, add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to the mix. You won't be disappointed.

Creamy Smoked Fish Dip

If you're ready and willing to expand your dip horizons, try this smoked fish variation. Feel free to use smoked salmon or trout as your base, and then add some cream cheese and sour cream to the mix for that smooth texture and a touch of tanginess. You'll also find chopped cornichons, shallot, and chives, which help double down on the savory undertones.

Eggplant Dip With Feta and Crudités

A hefty helping of roasted eggplant dip is the star of this impressive meze platter, which also includes salty feta cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables. To make the dip, start by roasting the eggplant and then blend the nightshade in a food processor with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper. A sprinkle of sumac on top adds a tart, citrus-like flavor to the whole thing.

Tomato-Feta Dip

Think of this as a dip version of the wildly popular baked feta pasta that made the rounds on TikTok. Here, broiled cherry tomatoes are paired with tangy feta and a glug of half-and-half for a deluxe twist. Serve this rich dip with some warm pita or crispy crostini and lots of colorful, fresh veggies, and watch it disappear.

Spiced Lentil Dip

You won't miss any cream cheese or mayo in this vegan dip, thanks to gingery red lentils, coriander seeds, and creamy coconut milk. A topping of lime zest, cilantro, and additional coriander seeds adds even more flavor. Go ahead and serve this dip with some milder options, including cucumber spears, carrot sticks, blanched cruciferous veggies, or toasted and oiled naan.