11 Delicious Dip Recipes

Salsa, cheese, avocado, beans, and Mexican-style veggies are layered together in this south-of-the-border chip dip. Margarita glasses make for a super-cool presentation, but don’t be afraid to spread everything in the same dish if you don’t have the time.

Get the recipe: Tex-Mex Dip

As an ex-quarterback for the Washington Redskins and NFL broadcast commentator, Joe Theismann knows football. And as the owner of Joe Theismann’s Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, he knows food. So who better to create a Super Bowl-worthy dip? This four-star, seafood-flavored concoction will be the MVP of your Game day table, guaranteed.

Get the recipe: Joe Theismann's Shrimp Scampi Dip

This Slow-Cooker Spinach Dip from Food Network is – really – as easy as throwing a bunch of ingredients together and flipping a switch. Set it out with a big bowl of pita chips, and watch your guests go wild.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Spinach Dip

Why use powdered mix when you can raid your refrigerator to create a fresh and tangy dip for crudité and chips? This ranch dressing-flavored condiment will please every party, from your token health nuts to the big eaters in the bleachers.

Get the recipe: Low-Fat Ranch Dip

Whether it’s perched atop a pile of extra-cheesy nachos or stuffed in your favorite sandwich, there are few dips as glorious as guacamole. This treatment uses a Serrano chile pepper for extra kick, though you can substitute a jalapeño for slightly less spiciness. Make sure to use fresh ingredients for best results.

Get the recipe: Guacamole

Don’t substitute dried herbs in this dairy-based dip, since it relies on the sharp, bright taste of fresh parsley and basil. Fortunately, both ingredients are readily available any time of year, for just a few cents more than pantry shakers.

Get the recipe: Garden Dip

Saucy and irresistibly cheesy, this simple pizza dip evokes all the flavor of a pie from your local Italian joint. Not into pepperoni? Customize the toppings to fit your family’s preferences and serve with crackers, pita chips, or even thin slices of Italian bread.

Get the recipe: Pizza Dip

From award-winning super-chef Dorie Greenspan, this light eggplant dip takes its cue from the Arabic dish baba ghanoush.  It’s excellent with pita, though crackers and bread are also solid accompaniments.

Get the recipe: Healthy Eggplant Dip

Deviled eggs are delicious. But all that prep work – meticulously halving the eggs, carefully scooping out the cooked yolks, gently piping the filling – is kind of a drag. Happily, this simple condiment recipe from Food Network Magazine eliminates the time-consuming labor without losing the decadent flavor and pleasing creaminess.

Get the recipe: Deviled Egg Dip

Add a little elegance to your big gathering with this creamy, sweet, slightly tangy condiment. The flavor is dependent on a quality goat cheese, so ask your cheesemonger or deli worker for a good recommendation.

Get the recipe: Goat Cheese Maple Dip

For maximum flavor, make this dip the day before you want to serve it, to allow the flavors to meld. The morning of the party, garnish it with a little cracked pepper or sliced scallions, and plate it with chips, crackers, and thin slices of bread.

Get the recipe: Shrimp Dip