Whether you’re firing up the grill or just hanging out on the patio, no BBQ is complete without a table full of crowd-pleasing dips, so Ready, Set, Dip!
From zesty cowboy caviar to creamy pimento cheese and fresh garden salsa, these easy recipes are perfect for scooping, snacking, and keeping everyone happy until the main event hits the grill.
Classic Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is about as Southern as it gets, and this is the version I make on repeat, sharp cheddar, real mayo, and just enough diced pimentos to keep things interesting. I love spreading it on a sandwich, scooping it up with crackers, or spooning a little on top of a burger. It’s simple to make and it always disappears fast at a gathering.
Cowboy Caviar (Black Bean Salsa)
I make this cowboy caviar all summer long because it’s basically a way to use up whatever vegetables are piling up in my kitchen. Black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, and tomatoes get tossed in a tangy vinegar and lime dressing, and it only gets better the longer it sits. Scoop it up with a chip or spoon it over grilled chicken, either way it disappears fast.
Cherry Tomato Salsa
When my garden goes wild with cherry tomatoes, this is the salsa I reach for. It comes together in the food processor in just a few minutes, and the tomatoes give it a natural sweetness you don’t get from a regular salsa. My husband is picky about homemade salsa, and even he asks for this one.
Easy Sour Cream Dip
This sour cream dip from Ramshackle Pantry is one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it’s so simple. You stir together a handful of pantry ingredients, give it a little time in the fridge, and you’ve got a dip that works with chips or fresh veggies. It’s the kind of thing I can throw together at the last minute and still have people asking for the recipe.
Spicy Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
If you love pimento cheese but want a little heat, this jalapeño version is the one to make. Sharp cheddar and cream cheese give it that classic creamy base, and fresh jalapeños add just enough kick without taking over. I like to let it chill for an hour so the flavors have time to come together.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo chicken dip is one of those recipes that never lasts long at a party, and Jeannie’s version is a favorite of mine. Shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, and plenty of hot sauce bake together until it’s warm and bubbly. Serve it with tortilla chips or celery sticks and watch it disappear.
5 Minute Garden Salsa
This is the salsa I make when my tomato plants are producing faster than I can keep up with. Everything goes in the blender, tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, and lime, and five minutes later you’ve got fresh salsa that tastes like summer. It’s become a go-to snack around here, chips and all.
Salsa De Aguacate (Avocado Salsa)
This avocado salsa from Muy Delish is creamy, a little tangy, and comes together in about five minutes. It’s a nice change of pace from a classic tomato salsa and works just as well on tacos as it does with a bag of chips. I love how few ingredients it takes to get so much flavor.
Cold Spinach Artichoke Dip
I love a warm spinach artichoke dip, but this cold version from Peel with Zeal is just as good and a lot less fuss. There’s no mayo or eggs involved, just a creamy base loaded with spinach and artichokes. It’s ready to go straight from the fridge, which makes it an easy one to have on hand for a get-together.
French Onion Dip
French onion dip made from scratch is so much better than the packet version, and this recipe from Intentional Hospitality proves it. Sour cream, dried minced onion, and a few pantry spices are all it takes to get that classic flavor. I like to make it the night before so the onion has plenty of time to soften into the dip.
Quick and Easy Guacamole
Guacamole doesn’t need to be complicated, and this recipe from In Mama Maggie’s Kitchen keeps it nice and simple. Ripe avocados and a little seasoning are all it takes to get a creamy dip that’s ready in minutes. I make a batch of this any time we’re having tacos or just need something to go with a bag of chips.
Cold Corn Dip with Sour Cream
This cold corn dip from Butter & Baggage is one of my favorite no-cook recipes for summer. Canned corn and Rotel tomatoes keep it easy, and the sour cream gives it that cool, creamy texture that’s so good with a scoop of chips. It comes together in about ten minutes, so it’s a great one to keep in your back pocket.
