My game day strategy is 100% dip-based.
I love a good game day, but let’s be honest: I’m really just there for the snacks. Whether the game is a blowout or a nail-biter, as long as there’s a solid spread of dips on the table, I’m a happy camper.
Dips are the ultimate hosting hack. They’re easy to prep, they feed a crowd, and everyone loves them. Plus, they’re often recipes you’re not making on a Tuesday night for your family – they’re a special treat.
Here are my favorites that I come back to time and time again.
Grab a bag (or two!) of sturdy chips and anyone that enters your house will leave happy, and full.
Sausage Dip
This is the “old reliable” of the dip world. It only takes three ingredients (yes, three!), but it’s so savory and hearty that it usually ends up being the main event.
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Crab Rangoon Dip
If you’re the person who only orders Chinese takeout for the appetizers (guilty!), this is for you. It has all that creamy and savory crab filling flavor without the tedious work of folding tiny wonton wrappers. I love to serve it with some fried wonton chips, but if you want to keep things simple, it totally works with tortilla chips, too.
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Black Bean and Avocado Dip
This is essentially a fresh, zesty salsa with a creamy avocado upgrade that makes it feel much more substantial. If you’re looking for something that won't make you feel like you need a nap halfway through the second quarter, this is your winner.
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Mexicali Dip
You know that addictive, creamy dip you always see in the grocery store deli? This is the homemade, “I actually know what’s in this” version that tastes a thousand times better. It's my secret weapon for hosting because it's slightly unique and it will have everyone asking for the recipe.
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Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Imagine everything you love about pizza, but cheesier and dippable. It’s bubbly, loaded with pepperoni, and is basically a guaranteed way to become the most popular person in the room.
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Edamame Dip
If you want something that feels a little more fresh amidst all the heavier snacks, this is the one. It’s like hummus’s cooler, more vibrant cousin. Plus, the bright green color looks stunning on a snack board.
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Spinach Dip Recipe
This is the classic crowd-pleaser. I make it every New Year's Eve but it's a natural fit for game day, too. It’s creamy, packed with flavor, and way better than anything you’ll find in a plastic tub at the grocery store.
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Refried Bean Dip
There’s bean dip and then there’s this bean dip. It’s warm, incredibly cheesy, and has just enough spice to keep things interesting without scaring anyone off. It’s the kind of dip that disappears in about five minutes flat, and it's easy to prep ahead.
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Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is the GOAT of game day snacks. Using the slow cooker means you actually get to watch the game (or the commercials) instead of hovering over the oven, and it will stay warm for hours of snacking. I also love that this one is a little more hearty, thanks to the chicken. We're all about protein these days.
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Beer Cheese Dip Recipe
Bring high-end pub snacks right into your living room. It’s rich, velvety, and practically begs for a warm soft pretzel or a sturdy cracker to do the heavy lifting. Plus, “beer cheese” and “game day” are pretty much a match made in heaven.
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Jalapeño Popper Dip
I love a jalapeño popper, but I do not love the manual labor of stuffing twenty individual peppers. This dip gives you the creamy heat and the crunchy topping, with about 10% of the effort. It's the Rachel Cooks way!
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Mexican Street Corn Dip
Think street corn” in a bowl. Similar to the jalapeño popper dip, we're getting the flavor and texture in an easier to eat, easier to make format. Between the sweet corn, the tangy lime, and the salty cotija cheese, it always has people asking for the recipe.
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Whatever you do, make sure you have plenty of sturdy chips, crackers, and bread on hand, because these dips don’t will be popular.
I hope your team wins (or at least your snacks do!), and I’d love to hear which one was the biggest hit at your house.
