10 Simple Cheese Dips

Start with a cream base

This simple base is a great starting point for a variety of additions. Experiment with your favorite ingredients (like fried onions, crumbled feta, or smoked salmon), or try one of these combinations. Don't worry about the ratios—try it, and if you like the taste of the dip, you've got it right!

Recipe: Base for creamy dip

Base + onion + cayenne pepper =

Caramelized Onion Dip

Chop and caramelize the onion, then stir it into the dipping sauce with cayenne pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and serve with potato chips.

Base + goat cheese + harissa + lemon juice + cilantro =

Spicy Harissa Dip

Make the dip base by stirring in crumbled goat cheese, harissa (a little is enough for a spicy kick), lemon juice, and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with toasted flatbread or pita.

Base + cheddar + bacon + chives =

Cheddar and Bacon Dip

This is a twist on a beloved filling for stuffed potatoes—a classic side dish. Start with our base and stir in grated cheddar and crumbled cooked bacon. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve with fries.

Base + blue cheese + fig jam =

Dip with fig jam

Prepare our dip base and stir in crumbled blue cheese. Stir in fig preserves, making swirls for a wonderful combination of sweet and salty. Serve with crackers.

Base + beetroot + horseradish + dill =

Creamy Beetroot Dip

Make the base. Puree it with chopped cooked beets, horseradish (for a kick!), and dill. Sprinkle with fresh dill and serve with cucumber slices or endive leaves.

Base + red curry paste + green onions + roasted peanuts =

Thai Curry Paste Dip

For an Asian-inspired dip, stir in Thai red curry paste, sliced ​​green onions, and chopped roasted peanuts. Garnish with green onions and peanuts. Cooked shrimp make an elegant and delicious addition to the dip.

Base + feta + preserved lemons + garlic + seeds =

Lemon Dip with Feta

Prepare the base, mix in crumbled feta, chopped pickled lemons and finely grated garlic. Garnish with pickled lemon slices and sesame or onion seeds, and serve with grilled vegetables. Here, we used artichoke hearts (they pair well with the Mediterranean flavors of the dip), but asparagus or zucchini sticks would also work.

Base + kimchi + green onions + lemon =

Spicy kimchi dip

Make a Korean-style dip by mixing chopped celery into the base. kimchi vegetables, thinly sliced ​​green onions, and lemon juice. Garnish with green onions. Serve with rice crackers or fried wonton wrappers.

Base + smoked salmon + capers + red onion =

Smoked salmon dip

Dipping sauce isn't typically served at brunch, but this recipe can change that. Make the base and stir in sliced ​​smoked salmon, chopped red onion, and capers. Garnish with capers and serve, of course, with bagel chips.

Base + pesto sauce + pine nuts =

Pesto and Nut Dip

For a dip with a bold nutty flavor, add pesto sauce and toasted pine nuts to the base. Garnish with nuts and serve with sliced ​​raw vegetables.