Tailgating and football season are officially upon us! I love a good tailgate and appetizer spread before a big game. If you are looking for the best dips for tailgating, here are a few tried-and-true options everyone will love.
Quick answer: this post rounds up nine of my best dips for tailgating, both hot and cold, plus real tips for keeping them at the right temperature for hours in a parking lot. It's built for anyone who needs something easy to make, easy to transport, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Every recipe here is one I've actually served at a tailgate myself.
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The best dips for tailgating
The best dips for tailgating are the ones that keep the crew huddled around the table! These hot and cold dip recipes check all the boxes. They're easy to make, easy to transport, and packed with flavor. Whether you're craving spicy, creamy, cheesy, or fresh, you'll find the perfect tailgate dip in the list below!
best dips for tailgating
Whether you're looking for the best hot dips for tailgating or easy cold dips for tailgating, these recipes are so easy to make and everyone will love them!
This cheesy chicken enchilada dip could arguably be named the most perfect dip. It's so easy to make, and SO delicious! You'll love bringing this easy appetizer to every party.
If you are a fellow dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives lover, you will fall head-over-heels for this dirty martini dip. It'll be your favorite go-to party appetizer.
If you're from the Chicagoland area, you know exactly what giardiniera is. If you're not, welcome to the good life! This easy giardiniera dip will soon be a go-to appetizer recipe.
This homemade blender salsa is the BEST salsa! This has been my family's go-to salsa recipe for years. With a few simple ingredients, you get such a flavorful salsa recipe that goes with all your favorite foods.
This avocado cream sauce with Greek yogurt is so simple to put together. It's so full of flavor and perfect for tacos, fish, chicken or salads. Let's make it!
This French onion soup dip is one of the easiest and most flavorful dips you could ever make. You'll absolutely love it!
This roasted corn salsa is so perfect for the summertime! It's a great appetizer, snack, or side dish for taco night. You will love making this homemade salsa recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
How to keep dip warm at a tailgate?
There are a handful of ways to keep dips at a tailgate hot! Here are a few easy ways that I recommend. They still make the dips easy to transport.
- Use a slow cooker. A small or medium slow cooker is perfect for hot dips. Make the dip at home, transfer it to the slow cooker, plug it in, and set it to "warm" once you get to the tailgate. It keeps an even temperature without burning the edges!
- Insulated casserole carrier. If you don't have a slow cooker or access to an electrical outlet, try packing your hot dip in an insulated casserole carrier.
- Throw some sterno underneath. A tried-and-true way to keep any hot dish hot, sterno is so easy to transfer. You will want to make sure you get a stand for your dish, though, so the sterno can fit underneath.
My go-to routine: I make the dip the night before and refrigerate it, then transfer it straight to the slow cooker on low about an hour before we leave. It's warm and ready by kickoff, and I'm not stuck reheating anything in a parking lot.
How to keep dip cold at a tailgate?
Keep cold dips cold by nesting the bowl in a larger bowl or cooler filled with ice. Here's how I do it:
- Ice bath bowl. Set your dip bowl inside a bigger bowl packed with ice. It's the simplest option and works for any cold dip.
- Cooler with ice packs. For a bigger spread, pack dips directly in a cooler with ice packs so everything stays cold until you're ready to serve.
- Frozen gel packs underneath. Slide a frozen gel pack under the serving dish on the table to keep dips cold for hours without a full cooler setup.
Want some drinks to go along with these dips?
- A beergarita is one of my favorite beer bottle cocktails to make during a tailgate.
- If you're looking for another beer bottle cocktail, this Spaghett is also a fan favorite!
- This John Daly cocktail is a great cocktail if you want something easy to throw together for a crowd.
FAQs
How can I make my tailgate more fun?
Have activities! You can play drinking games like flip cup or beer pong, or bring a bags (or cornhole) set to play. There are so many games you can play to make a tailgate more fun. Games and a good playlist will get the people going.
How far in advance can you make dip for a tailgate?
Most dips can be made 1 to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the fridge. Cheese-based and hot dips like queso or spinach artichoke hold up well. Fresh dips like guacamole are best made the same day so they don't brown.
How long can dip sit out at a tailgate?
Cold dips are safe for about 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour if it's over 90 degrees. Keep hot dips above 140 degrees and cold dips below 40 degrees to stay in the safe zone.
What is the most popular dip for tailgating?
Queso and spinach artichoke dip are two of the most popular tailgate dips because they're cheesy, filling, and easy to keep warm in a slow cooker. My chicken enchilada dip and French onion soup dip are reader favorites too.
Should dip for tailgating be served hot or cold?
Either works;e it depends on how you're transporting it. Hot dips need a slow cooker or insulated carrier, while cold dips travel easily in a cooler with ice. Pick based on what equipment you'll have on site.
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