13 Holiday Dip Recipes That Disappear Before the Party Even Starts

Where do your guests always end up at a holiday party? Right next to the dip. A great dip is the easiest way to feed a crowd, and most of them take minutes to make. These holiday dip recipes cover everything: warm and cheesy, cool and creamy, fresh and zesty. Make one or make five, set out some chips and bread, and watch them vanish before the main meal even hits the table..

Holiday Dip Recipes Start With Whipped Feta and Pomegranate

If you want one dip that looks like a holiday centerpiece, this is it. Salty feta is whipped with cream cheese until fluffy, then topped with glossy olive oil, honey, bright red pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary. It looks like a little Christmas wreath in a bowl and takes ten minutes. Quick poll: what do you reach for first at a party? A) the dip, B) the cheese board, C) the sweets, or D) the drinks?

You will need: 8 oz feta, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 small garlic clove, 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, half a cup pomegranate seeds, fresh rosemary or thyme, black pepper, crostini or pita chips to serve.

How to make it: Crumble the feta into a food processor. Add the cream cheese, yogurt, garlic and a squeeze of lemon. Blend 2 to 3 minutes until very smooth and fluffy. Spread into a shallow bowl and make a swirl with a spoon. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, scatter pomegranate seeds, add herbs and pepper. Serve with crostini.

Holiday Dip Recipes: Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is the dip that always gets scraped clean. Shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce and ranch bake together into a creamy, spicy, cheesy dip that tastes like wings without the mess. Use a rotisserie chicken to make it even faster. Serve it with celery and tortilla chips. Be honest: how spicy can you handle, mild, medium or hot?

You will need: 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 8 oz cream cheese (softened), half a cup hot sauce, half a cup ranch dressing, 1 cup shredded cheddar, half a cup shredded mozzarella, 2 green onions.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Mix the cream cheese, hot sauce and ranch until smooth. Stir in the chicken and half the cheddar. Spread into a baking dish and top with the rest of the cheddar and the mozzarella. Bake 20 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve warm.

Caramelized French Onion Dip

Forget the packet mix. Real French onion dip starts with onions cooked slowly until sweet, sticky and golden. Stirred into sour cream and cream cheese, they make a dip that tastes rich and deeply savory. Pair it with ridged potato chips for the ultimate party snack. Quick poll: your perfect chip is A) plain, B) ridged, C) kettle cooked, or D) tortilla?

You will need: 2 large onions, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup sour cream, 4 oz cream cheese, half a cup mayo, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, half a tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper, chives, potato chips.

How to make it: Thinly slice the onions. Cook them in butter and oil over medium low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden. Let them cool and chop. Beat the sour cream, cream cheese, mayo, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Fold in the onions and chill 1 hour. Top with chives.

Hot and Cheesy Crab Dip

Crab dip feels fancy, which makes it perfect for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. Sweet lump crab, cream cheese, a little Old Bay style seasoning and a golden cheesy top come together in one skillet. Serve with toasted bread and crisp veggies. Have you ever made seafood for a party, or does that feel too risky?

You will need: 8 oz lump crab meat, 8 oz cream cheese (softened), a quarter cup mayo, a quarter cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, a quarter cup parmesan, 1 tsp seafood seasoning, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 lemon, 2 green onions, toasted baguette.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 375F. Mix the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, seasoning, Worcestershire, lemon juice and half the mozzarella. Gently fold in the crab and sliced green onions. Spread into a small skillet. Top with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Holiday Dip Recipes: Baked Feta and Tomato Dip

Remember the baked feta pasta that went viral? This is the party version. A block of feta bakes with cherry tomatoes, garlic and olive oil until the tomatoes burst and the cheese turns soft and creamy. Stir it together and scoop it up with bread. It is bright red and white, which makes it perfect for the holidays. Would you dunk bread or crackers in this?

You will need: 1 block feta (8 oz), 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, a quarter cup olive oil, half a tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp dried oregano, salt, pepper, fresh basil, crusty bread.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400F. Put the tomatoes and garlic in a baking dish and toss with olive oil, chili, oregano, salt and pepper. Place the feta in the middle and drizzle with more oil. Bake 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst. Stir gently, top with basil and serve warm with bread.

Restaurant Style Queso Dip

Smooth, silky queso is the dip people line up for. This version uses real cheese and a secret ingredient, evaporated milk, so it stays creamy without turning grainy. Green chiles and a little cumin give it that Tex Mex flavor. Keep it warm in a small slow cooker during the party. Quick poll: queso or guacamole, which one wins?

You will need: 8 oz white American cheese, 4 oz Monterey Jack, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, 1 can diced green chiles, half a tsp cumin, half a tsp garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne, fresh cilantro, tortilla chips.

How to make it: Shred or chop the cheese. Warm the evaporated milk in a pot over medium low heat until steaming. Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in the green chiles, cumin, garlic powder and cayenne. Pour into a warm bowl, top with cilantro and serve with chips.

Whipped Ricotta With Honey and Herbs

Sometimes the most impressive party dip is the simplest one. Whipping ricotta makes it light and cloud like, and a drizzle of honey with fresh herbs and lemon zest makes it feel special. It is perfect with crostini, figs or crisp apple slices. Be honest: are you a sweet dip person or a savory dip person?

You will need: 2 cups whole milk ricotta, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 lemon, a pinch of salt, 2 tbsp honey, fresh thyme or rosemary, black pepper, crostini or sliced apples.

How to make it: Add the ricotta, olive oil, lemon zest and salt to a food processor and blend 2 minutes until fluffy. Spread into a shallow bowl. Drizzle with honey and a little extra olive oil. Sprinkle with herbs and black pepper. Serve with crostini or fruit.

Holiday Dip Recipes: Lemony White Bean Artichoke Dip

Need a lighter option on the table? This cool, creamy dip blends white beans and marinated artichokes with lemon, garlic and parmesan. It tastes rich but is full of fiber and plant protein. It is great for guests who want something fresh between the cheesy dips. Would your guests guess it is made with beans?

You will need: 1 can white beans (drained), 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (drained), 1 garlic clove, 1 lemon, a quarter cup parmesan, 3 tbsp olive oil, a handful of parsley, salt, pepper, pita chips or veggies.

How to make it: Add the beans, artichokes, garlic, lemon zest and juice, parmesan and parsley to a food processor. Blend, drizzling in the olive oil, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a bowl, drizzle with more oil and serve with pita chips or veggie sticks.

Warm Beer Cheese Dip

This pub style dip is cozy, sharp and perfect for cold holiday nights. Cheddar melts into a smooth sauce with a splash of beer, mustard and garlic. Serve it with soft pretzel bites, apple slices or crusty bread. You can use non alcoholic beer or chicken broth if you prefer. Quick poll: your favorite dipper is A) pretzels, B) bread, C) apples, or D) a spoon?

You will need: 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1 cup beer or broth, half a cup milk, 2 cups sharp cheddar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, half a tsp garlic powder, half a tsp smoked paprika, pretzel bites to serve.

How to make it: Melt the butter in a pot and whisk in the flour for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the beer and milk until smooth and thick. Lower the heat and add the cheese a handful at a time until melted. Stir in mustard, garlic powder and paprika. Serve warm with pretzels.

Classic Seven Layer Dip

Seven layer dip is a party legend for a reason. Every scoop gets beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, tomatoes and olives in one bite. Build it in a clear dish so everyone can see the pretty layers. Make it a few hours ahead and keep it chilled until guests arrive. Which layer is your favorite, and which one would you skip?

You will need: 1 can refried beans, 1 tbsp taco seasoning, 1 cup sour cream, 1 and a half cups guacamole, 1 cup salsa, 1 and a half cups shredded cheddar, 1 cup diced tomatoes, half a cup sliced black olives, 2 green onions, tortilla chips.

How to make it: Mix the refried beans with the taco seasoning and spread in the bottom of a dish. Layer on the sour cream, then the guacamole, then the salsa. Sprinkle the cheese evenly. Top with tomatoes, olives and sliced green onions. Chill until serving and set out lots of chips.

Holiday Dip Recipes: Pomegranate Guacamole

Give classic guacamole a festive twist with juicy pomegranate seeds. The red jewels against the green avocado look like Christmas in a bowl, and they add a sweet, crunchy pop to every bite. It takes ten minutes and always gets compliments. Be honest: do you like your guac chunky or smooth?

You will need: 3 ripe avocados, 1 lime, a quarter red onion, 1 small jalapeno, a handful of cilantro, half a tsp salt, half a cup pomegranate seeds, tortilla chips.

How to make it: Halve the avocados, remove the pits and scoop into a bowl. Mash with lime juice and salt, leaving some chunks. Finely chop the onion, jalapeno and cilantro and stir them in. Fold in most of the pomegranate seeds and sprinkle the rest on top. Serve right away with chips.

Herby Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Every holiday spread needs a veggie platter, and every veggie platter needs a great dip. This homemade ranch uses Greek yogurt for a tangy, creamy base and lots of fresh herbs. Kids and adults both love it, and it makes eating carrots feel like a treat. Quick poll: what disappears first from your veggie tray? A) carrots, B) cucumbers, C) cherry tomatoes, or D) nothing, the veggies always stay?

You will need: 1 cup Greek yogurt, a quarter cup mayo, 1 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp chives, 1 tbsp parsley, half a tsp garlic powder, half a tsp onion powder, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt, pepper, cut vegetables.

How to make it: Finely chop the herbs. Whisk the yogurt, mayo, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Chill at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend. Serve in the middle of a platter of carrots, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and radishes.

Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa

A bowl of homemade salsa brightens up a table full of rich, cheesy dips. Roasting the tomatoes, onion and jalapeno gives it a smoky depth that store bought jars cannot match. Blend it chunky or smooth, it is your call. Looking for more party food? See our holiday appetizers your guests will talk about until next year. Which of these holiday dip recipes will you make first?

You will need: 6 Roma tomatoes, 1 small onion, 1 to 2 jalapenos, 3 garlic cloves, 1 lime, a handful of cilantro, 1 tsp salt, half a tsp cumin, tortilla chips.

How to make it: Heat the broiler. Put the halved tomatoes, quartered onion, jalapenos and garlic on a tray and broil 8 to 10 minutes until charred, turning once. Let cool a bit. Pulse in a blender with lime juice, cilantro, salt and cumin until it is as chunky as you like. Chill and serve with chips.