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There is absolutely nothing wrong with hummus, guacamole, or even a good store-bought dip (looking at you, Trader Joe’s vegan ranch)—but if you want to step it up a notch, these are some of the best dip recipes to make for any get-together, including your Labor Day party.
It’s still summer, so the menu can lean heavily on burgers and hot dogs, but you probably want an appetizer or two to nosh on while everything else cooks, right? Dips are the obvious but always welcome choice, and classics like queso and spinach artichoke dip never go out of style. Still, if you want to try something new, we’ve rounded up a dozen delectable—and different—dips that will steal the show.
Put out a plate of raw veggies and chips and a pitcher of sangria and your guests will be happy to wait while you fire up the grill—but don’t take too long, because it’s pretty easy to make a meal out of these delicious, hearty dips all on their own. And heads-up: dessert dips can be a great way to bookend the meal.
1. Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Actual mashed potato, crisp bacon, sharp cheese, and chives make this Greek yogurt and sour cream dip eat like a meal. Choose sturdy potato chips for dipping and try not to think about the double whammy of carbs—clearly not approved for your keto BBQ. And lest you think mashed potatoes sound weird in dip, the Greeks have been doing it for a long time with skordalia. Get the Loaded Baked Potato Dip recipe.
2. Spicy Chicken Taco Dip
Creamy, cheesy, and spicy thanks to three kinds of chiles, this taco-inspired dip is packed so full of shredded chicken and black beans you could almost eat it with a fork. Scatter diced tomatoes and avocado and chopped cilantro over top for a fresh, colorful contrast, and feel free to omit the chicken for a vegetarian version. Get our Spicy Chicken Taco Dip recipe.
3. Mexican Street Corn Dip
Mayo, cilantro, chili powder, and cotija cheese slathered on grilled corn is a classic Mexican street snack (elotes), and it translates ingeniously to a dip. Feel free to add a squirt of lime, and even grill the corn and jalapeño before folding them in. Corn tortilla chips are a natural partner, but bell peppers’ sweetness would be brilliant too. Get the Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe.
4. Cheesy Barbecue Dip
If you’re looking for a meatier appetizer, this dip blends shredded barbecue pork with plenty of cheese. This is no time for carrot sticks, but smoky sweet potato chips would work (and hey, they’re technically a vegetable). Get the Cheesy Barbecue Dip recipe.
5. Everything Bagel Dip
Love Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning? Then this is the one for you. A blend of minced onions and garlic, sesame and poppy seeds, and caraway mixed into cream cheese (naturally) and sour cream makes a perfect dip for bagel chips, but it’s light enough to work well with raw veggies too. Consider folding some chopped smoked salmon into the dip if you’re a lox lover. Get the Everything Bagel Dip recipe.
Related Reading: The Trader Joe’s Summer Snacks You Have to Try Before Pumpkin Spice Takes Over
6. Pizza Dip
Loaded pizza dip with pepperoni, sausage, and olives is like a supreme pie with extra-extra cheese. The crust comes in the form of whatever carbs you dip. Or you could go with cauliflower. Get the Pizza Dip recipe.
7. Crab Rangoon Dip
Your favorite Chinese-American delivery app makes a brilliant dip (and is a nice update on the classic hot crab dip). Unlike what you find in the takeout container, this contains real crab, not krab-with-a-k. And the warm cream cheese is joined by white cheddar and parmesan, with homemade wonton chips for scooping it up. Get the Crab Rangoon Dip recipe.
8. Shrimp Scampi Dip
If shrimp is more your speed, this garlicky cheese dip with white wine and lemon juice is a thing of beauty. Slices of toasted baguette are probably best for dipping, but even celery will taste amazing as a vehicle for this. Get the Shrimp Scampi Dip recipe.
9. Reuben Dip
Your favorite sandwich (the Reuben, of course) gets deconstructed into a warm, gooey dip full of corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Serve with rye crackers and carrot sticks. Get the Reuben Dip recipe.
10. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo sauce, chicken, and blue cheese are perfect in pretty much any form, including this wings-inspired dip. It’s definitely too good to reserve just for football season. Carrot sticks and celery are the obvious choice on the side, but try lightly roasted broccoli too. Get our Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
11. Creamy Skillet Cheeseburger Dip
Do dill pickle dip one better and add ground beef, bits of bacon, and plenty of cheese, then warm it up until it’s gorgeously gooey. Any standard dipper would work here, but it does seem like the perfect time to break out some crisp French fries…. Get the Creamy Skillet Cheeseburger Dip recipe.
12. Fresh Spinach Dip
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try this fresh spinach dip, a healthier, make-ahead version of the classic baked spinach dip. It’s served chilled instead of warm and in addition to lots of leaves, it has sauteed shredded carrots and onions—but the mayo and sour cream save it from being spa food. Get our Fresh Spinach Dip recipe.