When it comes to summer appetizers, you can never go wrong with chips and dip. From salsa to hummus, there are recipes to complement any party. While we’ve covered extravagant layer dips before, these recipes keep things simple and approachable.
For example, this Creamy Avocado Dip is a light, tangy alternative to guacamole and takes just five minutes to whip up.
The avocado and sour cream combo is super smooth, and Parmesan and lime juice give acidity and depth. Serve it with tortilla chips or veggies, or on the side with grilled chicken or steak.
Summer Salsa With a Shot
This fresh tomato salsa has just a dash of heat from some jalapeno, but a couple tablespoons of tequila help kick it up to a new level.
Tzatziki
Greek yogurt’s thicker texture eliminates the need to drain yogurt in cheesecloth as most commonly seen in tzatziki recipes. Wringing out the moisture from your cucumber ensures that the tzatziki stays thick and creamy. We chose fresh dill and mint over dried to provide the brightest flavor possible.
White Bean Dip With Pita Chips
Blend canned white beans with garlic, lemon and olive oil for a super-flavorful, easy-to-make dip to serve with homemade pita chips or sliced vegetables.
Spicy Feta Dip
Valerie gives salty feta a nice, spicy kick by mixing chile paste and garlic into it. Roasted red pepper rounds the flavor out, adding just a touch of subtle natural sweetness.
Grilled Corn Salsa
Michael Chiarello grills up corn and tomatoes for a sweet and smoky salsa, perfect with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos.
Tangy Guacamole-Ranch Dip
Bring two crowd-pleasing favorites (guacamole and ranch dressing) together in this creamy dip for crunchy pita chips.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelized onions might seem like they’re better suited for fall, but trust us — this savory chip dip is unbelievably delicious with crunchy summer veggies.
Alton Brown’s Salsa
Make Alton’s chunky salsa the day before a party so its flavors can meld together in the fridge.
Spicy Cilantro-Yogurt Dip
This green dip is tangy and spicy and great with grilled flat bread or cut-up vegetables for dipping.
Claire Robinson’s Easy Tzatziki
The key to great tzatziki? Make sure you drain all the excess liquid off the grated cucumber before adding it to your yogurt. This guarantees a dip that’s lusciously thick and cream — and full of flavor.
Creamy Homemade Hummus
Once you make your own hummus you’ll never go back to store-bought again! Molly shows you how to whip up a batch of this creamy dip with just a few, simple ingredients.
Roasted Garlic Dip
Roasting garlic mellows its flavor, making it milder and much sweeter — the perfect complement to the savory pancetta and tangy cream cheese in this dip.
Basil Ranch Dip
Use prepared pesto in this buttermilk ranch-style dip for bold basil flavor in a matter of minutes.
Alton Brown’s Guacamole
Alton Brown ensures his spices mesh evenly with avocado pulp using a potato masher, leaving the satisfying chunky factor to diced fresh tomatoes and onions.
Greek Layer Dip
If you love Mediterranean flavors, then this layered dip is for you. Inspired by Greek cooking, this crowd-pleasing starter features Baba Ghanoush, Tzatziki and an olive-and-pepper dip. Crumbled feta and tomatoes are the perfect finishing touch.
Gina Neely’s Spinach Dip
Gina’s dip has all the creamy, cheesy goodness of classic spinach dip, but with a bit of a kick from a can of diced green chiles.
Giada’s Curried White Bean Dip
Crisp up some pita bread in the oven for the perfect vehicle for Giada’s curry-spiced cannellini dip.
