21 Easy Dips You Can Make Ahead for Any Occasion

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Published on June 1, 2024

Caramelized Leek Dip — Photo: Johnny Autry

Reduce that pre-party stress by making one of these easy dips ahead of time. From hummus and whipped cheese to salsa and baba ghanoush, these dips come together in as little as 3 steps or less without skimping on flavor. Grab your favorite crudités, chips and/or crackers, and head to your next gathering with our Twarożek (Polish Cottage Cheese Spread) in hand. Or, enjoy dishes like our Cucumber Salsa that are so fresh and delicious, you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful.

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Garlic Hummus

Garlic Hummus

This garlic hummus recipe couldn't be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away!

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Light & Airy Whipped Cottage Cheese

a recipe photo of the Whipped Cottage Cheese — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

Give this whipped cottage cheese recipe your own spin by making it with your favorite fresh herbs. You can use it as a dip with fresh veggies or as a sandwich spread.

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Traditional Greek Tahini Dip

Traditional Greek Tahini Dip

Super creamy with the nutty flavor of sesame seeds, this homemade tahini sauce recipe is a popular way to begin a meal in Cyprus. Serve with crudités and pita.

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Twarożek (Polish Cottage Cheese Spread)

a recipe photo of the Twarozek — Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

At the heart of the Polish brunch board is a spread called twarożek or gzik, depending on the region of Poland. Traditionally made with farmer's cheese, this version uses cottage cheese along with crunchy radishes and cucumber and fragrant dill. Serve it with hearty rye bread, raw and pickled vegetables, slices of kielbasa, Polish cheese and mustard or horseradish.

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Loaded Black Bean Dip

loaded black bean dip in a white bowl served with tortilla chips

This is a 7-layer black bean dip simplified: Just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.

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Fresh Tomato Salsa

Fresh Tomato Salsa — Jason Donnelly

This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.

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Cucumber Salsa

Cucumber Salsa

This fresh, tangy cucumber salsa is perfect for grilled fish or on its own as a simple side salad. Well balanced and easy to make, the flavor mellows and the cucumber softens as this sits, so it can easily be made a day or two ahead of time--or enjoy it right away, fresh and crisp.

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Spicy Eggplant Dip with Lime & Cilantro

Eggplant Dip — Ali Redmond (photography, food & prop styling)

Grilling the eggplant gives this dip a smoky flavor that's truly delicious. Serve it as chef Yia Vang does with balls of purple sticky rice for scooping up the dip or along with your choice of vegetables for dipping.

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Classic Hummus

hummus in bowl with herbs

It's easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.

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Avocado-Yogurt Dip

Avocado-Yogurt Dip

Update your guacamole recipe by adding protein-packed yogurt to make a healthy dip recipe. For an extra kick, add minced jalapeño or your favorite hot sauce for some zing! Serve this healthy dip recipe with crunchy vegetables, pita chips or pretzels, or use as a sandwich spread.

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Copycat Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Dip

Overhead view of a large plate of items to dip and a bowl of Copycat Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Dip recipe — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

This savory caramelized onion dip features fresh sweet onion, cooked until sweet and golden and combined with Greek-style yogurt, sour cream and cream cheese for added body. Serve this copycat dip with fresh, crispy veggies, pretzel chips or classic potato chips to please a crowd.

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Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

This is not your grandma's cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.

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Spinach-Feta Dip with Dill

Spinach-Feta-Dip-with-Dill

Try this spinach dip, infused with fresh dill and briny feta cheese, as a sandwich spread—or serve alongside crackers or crudité.

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French Onion Dip Chicken & Rice Casserole

French Onion Dip Chicken & Rice Casserole — Greg Dupree

This creamy French onion dip chicken and rice casserole topped with crispy potato chips is perfect for game day or whenever you want a comforting meal the whole family will love.

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Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Sweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.

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Caramelized Leek Dip

Caramelized Leek Dip — Johnny Autry

Caramelized leeks, fresh scallions and chives give this French-onion-inspired dip a triple hit of allium flavor. Serve with crudités and potato chips.

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Kale Artichoke Dip

Kale Artichoke Dip

A riff on traditional spinach artichoke dip, this creamy, cheesy dip recipe is made healthier by replacing some of the cream cheese with yogurt. Serve as an easy appetizer with tortilla chips and carrot sticks.

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Southwestern Layered Bean Dip

Southwestern Layered Bean Dip

Plenty of black beans, salsa and chopped fresh vegetables mean a healthy amount of dietary fiber in this Tex-Mex-inspired layered dip. We use reduced-fat sour cream along with full-fat (and full-flavored) cheese to make the dip lighter without compromising great taste. Be sure to have lots of baked tortilla chips on hand when you serve it.

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Lemon Avocado Dip

For this healthy spin on guacamole, stick with light sour cream. It's lower in carbs than fat-free sour cream.

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Jason Mraz's Guacamole

Jason Mraz's Guacamole

In this easy guacamole recipe, musician Mraz prefers California Hass or Reed avocados because they are the creamiest. Adjust the heat, tang or other flavorings to suit your tastes.

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Baba Ghanoush

Grilled eggplant is pureed along with garlic, lemon juice and tahini to make a lighter version of the classic Middle Eastern dip. If you can't find ground sumac for the garnish, chopped pistachios are traditional as well. Serve with pita wedges or use as a spread for sandwiches.

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