There’s always that little stretch before Thanksgiving dinner when everyone suddenly gets hungry… even though they know a huge meal is coming haha. But I always love setting one out while the turkey finishes and the last few sides are doing their thing. Something hot, creamy, cheesy, maybe a little spicy… add bread, crackers, veggies, or chips and people are very happy to hang around the kitchen for a while.
A little tip: don’t put all the dip out at once if people are arriving over a couple of hours. Try to keep some warm in the kitchen and refill when it starts getting low. And keep your crackers and chips separate until serving… nobody wants a tray full of soggy dippers!!
Wondering how much dip you actually need? Around 3 ounces per guest is a good starting point when you’re serving it before a big dinner. If you have a crowd of serious snackers hanging around the kitchen, though, you can make a little extra.
Leftovers are a much nicer problem than an empty bowl!
So, what sounds good this year? Baked brie, spinach dip, buffalo chicken, crab dip, queso… you have plenty of warm, cozy options here to keep everyone happily snacking until dinner is ready.
1) Baked Pumpkin Dip with Goat Cheese by Cookie and Kate
Pumpkin as a savory dip? yes, it works!! Goat cheese keeps it tangy, a little honey brings some sweetness, and garlic and red pepper flakes stop things from heading into pumpkin-pie territory. Toasted sourdough is especially good here… just make plenty.
2) Baked Artichoke Dip by xoxoBella
Artichoke hearts give the creamy filling enough texture to stand up to toasted baguette slices. Parmesan browns across the top and adds a salty edge that works well before a rich holiday meal. Bake it shortly before people arrive so the center is properly hot.
3) Baked Spinach Dip by On My Kids Plate
This is the kind of dip that will for sure disappear while you’re still checking on the turkey. It’s loaded with spinach and comes out of the oven with that bubbling mozzarella top everyone immediately goes for. Just squeeze the spinach really well first. Nobody invited watery dip to this party, haha.
4) Mediterranean Baked Feta by Downshiftology
This is a nice change if the rest of your appetizers are leaning rich and creamy. Warm feta has plenty of tang on its own and the olives give every scoop a salty little bite. Pita or crusty bread works beautifully here.
5) Caramelized Onion Dip by CJ Eats
The onions are the whole story with this one. Give them time to cook down until they’re dark and soft, then fold them into the creamy base. And you can happily make that part ahead because Thanksgiving morning already has enough going on!!
6) Hot Corn Dip by Budget Bytes
It has that sweet corn flavor you keep noticing between all the melted cheese. Green chiles add a little warmth without turning it into the dip everyone is scared to try. Bring sturdy tortilla chips… the thin ones may not survive.
7) Bean Dip by Love and Lemons
After several cheesy dips, this one feels like a nice little reset. The beans make it naturally creamy and the lime keeps the flavor bright. Set it out warm with tortilla chips and let everyone add whatever toppings they like.
8) Jalapeno Popper Dip by Skinnytaste
Love jalapeño poppers but not the part where you have to fill every single pepper?? This dip gives you that creamy, slightly spicy flavor in one baking dish, with a golden top that’s hard to leave alone. I’d put some crunchy veggies nearby too… they’re really good after a few cheesy scoops.
9) Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip by RecipeTin Eats
Got a crowd hovering around the kitchen already? This is the kind of dip that keeps them busy for a while. The chicken makes it nice and hearty, and the Buffalo sauce gives every bite that familiar little kick. Celery on the side feels almost mandatory here!
10) Chili Cheese Dip by Together as Family
Three ingredients… that’s it! On a day when the turkey already has you checking the clock every five minutes, I’ll happily take an appetizer this easy. Layer it up, get it hot and bubbly, and bring the whole dish straight to the table.
11) Pepperoni Dip by On My Kids Plate
This one tastes a little like pizza decided to become an appetizer… and I’m completely fine with that (and the kids just love it!). You get marinara underneath all that melted mozzarella, with pepperoni showing up in every scoop. Toasted bread works especially well here because this dip has some weight to it!
12) Sloppy Joe Dip by Tornadough Alli
Sloppy Joe as a dip? It sounds a little odd until you take the first scoop. Then it makes perfect sense! The beefy filling is saucy and filling enough for seriously hungry guests, so I’d save this one for the crowd that starts asking about food the second they walk through the door.
13) Reuben Dip by All Things Mamma
Already a Reuben fan? Then this one is an easy yes. Corned beef and melted Swiss make it rich and savory, while the sauerkraut gives each scoop that little tang you expect from the sandwich. Just drain it really well first… I bet you don’t want a watery dip, haha.
14) Crab Rangoon Dip by The Forked Spoon
All the creamy goodness of crab rangoons without folding a single wrapper? I’m in! This bakes up hot with a golden top, and crispy wonton chips give you that crunch you’d normally get from the shell. It feels a little special too, which is nice for Thanksgiving.
15) Warm Ranch Crack Dip by Wholesome Yum
Definitely for the cheese lovers!! Bacon gives it plenty of smoky flavor, and the ranch seasoning makes it dangerously easy to keep scooping. I like putting some crisp bell pepper strips nearby too… a little freshness goes a long way here.
16) Pretzel Cheese Dip by The Feathered Nester
Warm cheese and soft pretzels… do I really need to convince you? The sharp cheddar gives the sauce plenty of flavor, and you can add beer if it suits your crowd. Just keep the heat low once everything melts so it stays nice and smooth.
17) Crockpot Taco Dip by Mom On Timeout
Want one appetizer you can pretty much leave alone? This is it! The slow cooker keeps everything hot while you deal with the rest of dinner, and once it’s ready, you can switch it to warm and forget about it for a bit.
18) Baked Queso Dip by Tornadough Alli
Queso without standing over the stove stirring a saucepan? yes, please. It goes straight into the oven, and the green chiles give it plenty of flavor without making it too spicy. Give everything a quick stir when it comes out… then get those chips ready!
19) Cajun Crab Dip with Shrimp by The Feathered Nester
Want something that feels a little more special? Give it a try! You get real pieces of crab and shrimp throughout the creamy dip, with Cajun seasoning giving it a warm little kick. Bring it to the table bubbling hot and let everyone go for it.
20) Cheeseburger Dip by Spend With Pennies
A cheeseburger turned into a hot dip sounds a little wild… but it works! The beef and melted cheddar make it rich and comforting, while chopped pickles on top give you that unmistakable burger flavor. This feels especially right for a relaxed Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.
21) Chocolate Fondue by Well Plated
Ready for something sweet?? Keep the chocolate gently warm and let everyone choose their own dipper. Strawberries are always a favorite, but I’m definitely sneaking a few salty pretzels onto the platter too… that sweet-salty combo is hard to beat!
22) S’mores Dip by I Heart Naptime
Everyone says they’re too full after Thanksgiving dinner… until this comes out! Melted chocolate sits under a layer of toasted marshmallows, so every scoop tastes like a warm s’more without the campfire. Graham crackers are the obvious choice, but salty pretzels are pretty great here too.
So… which dip would disappear first at your Thanksgiving party? And at your house, what’s the one dip you haaave to make every year? Leave a comment and tell me, I always love hearing what everyone’s must-have is! If this list helped you find something good, feel free to share it with someone planning their Thanksgiving too… I really appreciate every bit of support.
Most of all, I hope your Thanksgiving is full of good food and plenty of time with the people you love!!
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