There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of homemade dip to coax people to gather ’round at a party. How many times have you found yourself subconsciously tethered to a counter or coffee table because you just need one more crunchy, salty chip topped with cheesy dip?
I’m a big advocate of the Dip for Dinner movement, and dips are especially welcome when you’re watching a big event — say, the Super Bowl — because they offer the kind of mindless nourishment that can delight your taste buds without interfering with your ability to follow the action on the screen or the conversation in your living room.
Of course your enjoyment also depends on your tools for dipping. Consider both the flavor profiles of the dip and its heft, when you’re filling out the platter. For the Seven-Layer and Warm Chipotle Black Bean dips below, you’re going to want a good, sturdy tortilla chip for scooping. (Check out our taste test of 14 popular tortilla chip brands before you head to the store.) With sour cream- or yogurt-based dips, you’ve got more latitude for thinner potato chips, veggies or, a personal favorite, Ruffles.
How to host a winning Super Bowl party
You can’t go wrong with any of the 12 recipes below, which run the gamut of flavors and textures, and offer hot and cold options. For more dip-spiration, check out our Recipes archive.
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More party recipes: Wings | Nachos | Chili
Spinach Artichoke Dip
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Pictured above. Three adjectives that describe a good dip: warm, creamy and melty. A tablespoon of Cajun-style hot sauce adds a little zip to Aaron Hutcherson’s take on this classic, which calls for pita chips or carrot sticks for scooping. Get the recipe. For a better-for-you take, try this Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Fending for dinner is practical snacking for our times
Seven-Layer Dip
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It’s a timeless recipe that’s simple and downright delicious. The no-cook dip can be assembled in just 15 minutes — which might be longer than it takes your guests to devour it. Get the recipe.
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Super Bowl LVIII
It’s official: The Chiefs beat the 49ers in overtime, capping a big night that included appearances from stars such as Reba McEntire, Usher and Taylor Swift, plus a Beyoncé announcement. Get the highlights from the Super Bowl and the details in our newsletter.
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Warm Chipotle Black Bean Dip
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A reader of our Eat Voraciously newsletter (sign up already!) made this recipe, adding a little ground beef to the onions, and called it “an epic dinner!” It’s a great base to modify with meat, chiles or cooked vegetables. However you serve it, this dip is a winner. Get the recipe.
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Loaded Potato Dip
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Consider this a salute to the gone but not forgotten baked potato bars of yesteryear. All your favorite spud toppings are packed into this cheesy, salty, spicy (it’s optional) dip that begins with a tub of sour cream. Former recipes editor Ann Maloney suggests kicking it up a notch with your favorite hot sauce and even using the dip to top your next baked potato. It’s spud-ception. Get the recipe.
Queso
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For this take on the popular Tex-Mex dip, Aaron started with the foundation for many classic cheese dips — a block of Velveeta — and then took inspiration from Lisa Fain, who literally wrote the book on queso. Fresh chiles replace the familiar can of Ro-Tel diced tomatoes, and cilantro and sour cream add freshness and body. Our staff could not stop eating this. Get the recipe.
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Triple Onion Dip
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Calling all onion fans! This better-for-you version from Nourish columnist Ellie Krieger brings the onion flavor in three forms: sauteed onion and scallion whites for a little sweetness, onion powder for concentrated savoriness, and scallion greens for a sprinkle of freshness and color. Get the recipe.
Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip
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This dip will be a shining orange beacon on your snack spread. As Becky Krystal wrote, “it’s spicy, creamy and salty, which means it hits just about every flavor pleasure center.” Bonus: It has only six ingredients. Get the recipe.
Baked Hummus
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If you’ve never had warm hummus, this might be a revelation. The simple recipe, which adds pops of flavor from cherry tomatoes, harissa and pine nuts, is best with homemade hummus, but it’s a clever way to elevate mediocre store-bought dip, too. Get the recipe.
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Dill and Mint Yogurt Dip
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Cool things down with this favorite of mine that would be a nice stand-in alongside wings, too. Fresh dill, chives and mint, along with lemon juice and capers, make this Greek yogurt-based dip bright and briny. Get the recipe.
Creamy Kimchi Dip
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Another recipe that starts with a sour cream base, this punchy dip could be the sleeper hit in your party spread. Break out the food processor to quickly mix drained kimchi, gochujang, toasted sesame oil and lemon juice with the sour cream for a flavor-packed dip. Get the recipe.
Beet Dip
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Keep 2023′s pink food trend rolling along with this vibrant beet dip that balances sweet and earthy. All it takes is roasted beets, tahini, lemon juice and garlic to perk up your snack spread. Get the recipe.
Warm Crab and Spinach Dip
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Crab dip and football. That’s what Maryland does. If the Ravens had found a way to get past the Chiefs, this deeply savory dip, spiked with paprika, Dijon mustard and parmesan cheese, would’ve been higher up the list. Nevertheless, when it arrives on the table, warm, bubbling and packed with crab meat and spinach, it’s guaranteed to disappear quickly. Get the recipe.
