Game day means one thing on the food table: dips. Whether you’re feeding a crowd for the big game or just want options for grazing all afternoon, this list rounds up the best game day dips.
You can find the warm cheesy queso and buffalo chicken to classic cold dips, fresh salsas, and a few sweet ones for the end of the spread. Let’s check ’em out!
Queso Fundido with Chorizo
First on our list of the best game day dips is queso fundido, a skillet of melted Oaxaca and mozzarella with spicy chorizo and roasted poblano stirred through it. You eat it hot and scoop it straight from the pan with warm tortillas.
Chorizo Queso Dip
Next up is chorizo queso dip, a smooth cheese dip made with Velveeta, whole milk, and browned chorizo. A can of tomatoes with green chiles goes in at the end for a little heat and acidity. Check out the recipe.
Hot Crab Dip
Don’t skip the hot crab dip, one of the best game day dips if you have a seafood crowd. Lump crab, cream cheese, sour cream, and sharp cheddar bake together with a shake of Old Bay until the top turns golden.
Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Dip
Here’s one for the pasta lovers. Chicken Alfredo dip is exactly what it sounds like: shredded chicken in a garlicky parmesan and mozzarella cream sauce, thick enough to scoop up with a breadstick. Recipe details this way.
Chicken Buffalo Dip
No list of the best game day dips is complete without buffalo chicken dip. It’s shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch, and a lot of melted cheese, and there’s a reason it shows up at every party.
Pub Cheese
Pub cheese is the spread you get at a bar with a basket of pretzels. Sharp cheddar and a splash of beer blend into something creamy and salty, and the whole thing takes about five minutes. See how to make it.
Million Dollar Dip
Million dollar dip is made with just five ingredients: cream cheese, mayo, sharp cheddar, bacon, and a diced jalapeño. It’s one of the best game day dips to make when you’re short on time.
Cold Jalapeno Dip
If you want heat, cold jalapeño dip uses both fresh and pickled peppers, so the spice hits in two layers. Sharp cheddar and fresh cilantro keep it from being all burn and no flavor. Here’s the full recipe.
Dill Dip
Every table needs something lighter, and dill dip is one of the best game day dips for that job. It’s sour cream, mayo, and plenty of fresh dill, and it goes with a whole tray of raw vegetables.
Dill Pickle Dip
It would be a pity to miss dill pickle dip if there are pickle fans in the room. Chopped dill pickles and a splash of the brine go into a tangy cream cheese base, so every bite has real crunch. Check the recipe here.
Cowboy Caviar Dip (Texas Caviar)
Cowboy caviar is really a bean salad that doubles as a dip. Black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, bell pepper, and red onion sit in a lime vinaigrette. It’s one of the best game day dips when you want something fresh.
Cold French Onion Dip
Once you make French onion dip from scratch, the soup packet feels like a shortcut you don’t need. Real onions cook down slowly until they’re sweet and jammy, then go into sour cream and cream cheese. Grab the full recipe.
Clam Dip
Clam dip is an old-school party recipe that deserves a comeback, and it belongs on any list of the best game day dips. Canned minced clams, cream cheese, sour cream, lemon, and a dash of Worcestershire are all it takes.
Cold Crab Dip
If you love the crab dip but don’t want to touch the oven, try cold crab dip. Sweet lump crab sits in a smooth cream cheese base with lemon and Old Bay, and you just mix it and chill it until guests arrive. Recipe and tips here.
Pico de Gallo
You can’t put out a bowl of chips without pico de gallo. Chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño with a squeeze of lime, and that’s the whole recipe.
Dill Pickle de Gallo
You can add a touch from the pico de gallo above. Think of pickle de gallo as pico’s tangy cousin, and one of the more surprising picks among the best game day dips here. Diced pickles and a splash of the brine replace the usual lime, so it comes out salty and crunchy. Check out the full recipe.
Avocado Dip
If guacamole feels like too much chopping, avocado dip is the easier route for you. Ripe avocado blends with sour cream, lime, and a little jalapeño into something smoother and cooler than guac.
Carrot Hummus
For something a little different, carrot hummus blends roasted carrots right into the chickpeas and tahini. The carrots add sweetness and turn it bright orange, and it’s one of the best game day dips for cutting through all that cheese. Get the recipe details.
Feta Dip
Feta dip is about as simple as a dip gets: whipped feta, a few pantry basics, and that’s it. It’s creamy and salty and works with pita, crackers, or sliced cucumber. You’ll love this one, trust me!
Cheesecake Dip
Now for the sweet half of the table. No bake cheesecake dip tastes like real cheesecake filling, made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping, and it’s one of the best game day dips to end on.
Cannoli Dip
Cannoli dip is also a sweet dip you should try. It gives you the inside of a cannoli without any frying. Ricotta and mascarpone whip up smooth with powdered sugar, and mini chocolate chips go in at the end.
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Three ingredients are all marshmallow fruit dip takes: cream cheese, marshmallow creme, and a little vanilla. Put it next to a plate of strawberries and it’s one of the best game day dips for anyone who skipped the queso. Check the full recipe.
Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
For a lighter sweet option, Greek yogurt fruit dip swaps most of the sugar for honey and vanilla. It’s thick and creamy but still tastes like a treat next to apple slices and grapes.
S’mores Dip
Last on the list is s’mores dip, and it’s the one people crowd around. Chocolate chips go in a skillet under a layer of mini marshmallows, then bake until the top is toasted and the chocolate underneath is molten. It’s one of the best game day dips to finish the night on. Get the complete recipe.
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