30 Easy Dip Recipes

White dips don't have to be humdrum. In this recipe from The Vegetable Butcher cookbook, Cara Mangini sautes grated carrot, pine nuts and garlic in olive oil, then stirs the mixture into Greek yogurt.

Turkish Carrot Yogurt Dip  

Jazz up purchased spinach-artichoke dip with just three extra ingredients.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Hummus is easier than you might think: Just throw the ingredients in the food processor. Find canned smoky chipotle peppers in the Mexican aisle of large supermarkets.

Roasted Red Pepper-Chipotle Hummus

Onion dip is a classic for a reason—and this 100 percent homemade version is one of the best we've tasted. It's fab with potato chips, of course, but we also love it with crisp Romaine or Little Gem lettuce leaves for a lighter twist.

Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Lime- and jalapeno-spiced guacamole adds a kick to layers of refried beans, cheese, tomatoes and onions. Serve seasoned tortilla chips on the side.

Bonanza Bean Dip

Our healthy south-of-the-border hummus has sweet potato for silky smoothness, chipotle peppers for smoky heat and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for crunch. If you like, kick up the heat by swirling some of the adobo sauce from the can of chipotles on top of the dip.

Sweet Potato Hummus

We've seen a lot of dips through the years, but we've never forgotten this one -- juicy veggies, tangy olive tapenade and feta piled on a thick layer of hummus. We like to make it ahead and serve it with warm toasted pita wedges. Originally published: December 2005.

Mediterranean Eight-Layer Dip

If American cheese has a purpose in life, this kicky, ultracreamy dip is it. 

Spicy Queso Blanco

Roasted red sweet peppers fleck this dip with a festive crimson touch. Serve the warm, cheese-filled appetizer with bread or pita wedges, or some water crackers.

Hot Artichoke and Roasted Pepper Asiago Cheese Dip

The chips are easy and definitely add to the dip's appeal, but rice crackers, sugar snap peas, celery sticks and baby bok choy leaves all make good Asian-inspired dippers.

Creamy Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips

Roasting the eggplant, zucchini, sweet pepper, onion and garlic intensifies the flavors of this dip. Try with toasted pita wedges.

Roasted Vegetable Hummus Dip

Roasting beets isn't hard, but you can save time by substituting refrigerated roasted beets. Just start the recipe on Step 3. Serve the dip with sliced apples, celery sticks or toasted baguette slices.

Triple B Dip

Just add mayonnaise and cooked shrimp to purchased dip for this easy party treat.

Garlic Shrimp Dip

Parmesan, Monterey Jack and Swiss cheeses give melty goodness to this classic dip. We served it with toasted pita chips, but you can use crackers or sliced baguette.

Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Satisfy your sweet-salty afternoon cravings with this nutrient-packed dip, made with canned pumpkin, white beans and maple syrup. It's fab with honey-wheat pretzel twists, and very kid-friendly.

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

Spicy poblano chile pepper and tequila pack a punch. Serve as a party dip with tortilla chips, or create upscale quesadillas with a warmed tortilla and chorizo.

Tequila-Spiked Queso Fundido

Chipotle peppers and broiled tomatoes make for a bold, smoky challenge to standard salsa.

Blackened Tomato Salsa

A garnish of pomegranate seeds and mint gives spark to this refreshing dip; it'’s a healthy choice you'’ll be glad to have in your recipe box year-round. Serve with pita chips, crisp breadsticks or vegetables.

Cucumber-Feta Dip

Ground turkey, reduced-sodium and light ingredients, and a confetti of crisp, colorful veggies make this potluck staple more nutritious than a typical layered dip—but every bit as tasty.

Light and Layered Taco Dip

Combine edamame and avocado with basil pesto, lemon juice and chopped tomato for this easy potluck dip. 

Edamame-Avocado Dip

This chunky, mild salsa gets a generous dose of snipped cilantro. Serve with everything from tortilla chips to chicken. Want more spunk? Add more jalapenos.

Roasted Tomato Salsa

Three kinds of cheese blend with artichoke hearts and spinach for a crowd-pleasing dip. Bake in batches to keep the party well-supplied.

Party Hot Pot Dip     

Artichoke hearts, dried tomatoes and sauce combine for a rich, creamy dip. Our recipe calls for processed Swiss cheese because it melts smoothly, but regular Swiss cheese will work fine, too. The dip will have a more stretchy, less creamy texture, but it tastes just as good.

Swiss-Artichoke Dip

For an appetizer in minutes, Wendy Porterfield of the Washington House Inn in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, bakes her cheesy dip for 10 minutes, stirs, then spoons it into pre-baked phyllo shells. Then, she bakes the shells 5 to 10 minutes more. "The phyllo cup version makes a great appetizer for a more formal party, where the dip version is great for a crowd," she says.

Fiesta Dip

The avocado in this piquant puree of lime, cilantro, onion and tomatillos gives the salsa some richness and body.

No-Cook Salsa Verde

Combine pantry ingredients, such as canned bean dip and taco sauce, for this easy dip. Serve with tortilla chips.

Mexican Seven-Layer Dip

Try this sweet, colorful salsa—made with tomato, mango and melon—over chips, fish or chicken.

Tropical Tomato Salsa

This cheesy dip uses just two ingredients and can be kept warm in your slow cooker. Serve it with veggies, corn chips or tortilla chips.

Other hot dips that are easy to assemble include Artichoke-Spinach Dip, Festive Bean Dip and Season's Eating Taco Dip.

Mudslide Dip

Artichoke-Spinach Dip

Festive Bean Dip

Season's Eating Taco Dip

This salsa does double duty as a tortilla dip or a meat topper. Serve with a slotted spoon over grilled pork, smoked bratwursts or sausages, grilled chicken or salmon.

Black Bean Salsa

Click below for more great Midwest Living party and snack recipes!