king crab gratin
Photography by William Hereford
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When it comes to finger food, it’s hard to beat a good dip or dipping sauce. Whether you’re preparing for a Super Bowl party or summer barbecue, dips are instant crowd-pleasers. For something rich and creamy, a simple mayo dip is the way to go. Mix it with cream cheese, sour cream, and onions to make a classic French onion dip. Not a fan of mayo? Try making dip recipes with yogurt: mix it with cucumber, mint, and dill for a knockout tzatziki, or use pineapple, curry leaves, chiles de arbol, and coconut to make a flavor-packed Indian raita. From Mexican-inspired recipes to American classics, we’ve rounded up our favorite dip recipes here for a guaranteed touchdown in the kitchen.

"king

The Ultimate Crab Dip

"Sautéed

Sautéed Onion and Yogurt Dip

This recipe is a far cry from the gloopy, mayonnaise-like onion dip you’ll find in a jar at your local grocery store. It’s light, tangy, and inspired by Persian mast-o-musir, a mix of diced shallots and yogurt or labneh. Get the recipe for Sautéed Onion and Yogurt Dip »
"Chile
"Summer

Summer Tomato and Herb Dip

Your glut of garden tomatoes just found their new home: stirred into caramelized honey and a host of herbs and spices. Get the recipe for Summer Tomato and Herb Dip »
"Green

Green Hummus

This recipe comes from test kitchen assistant Jake Cohen, inspired by a similar hummus he tried while working at Restaurant Daniel in New York City. Fresh chickpeas provide a vibrant green color and brightness that pair well with the Asian flavors in this dip.
"Bluefish

Bluefish Paté

This bluefish paté has all the makings of a traditional fish dip—cream cheese, lemon, herbs—with a few updates to give it some zing. Get the recipe for Bluefish Paté »
"Grilled
"Caramelized

Caramelized Onion and Sunchoke Dip

Caramelized Onion and Sunchoke Dip
"Lao

Lao Tomato Dip

Penn Hongthong, the author of Simple Laotian Cooking (Hippocrene, 2003), taught us that charring the vegetables for this dip is the secret to its smoky flavor.
"Classic
"Chilean
"Salsa

Salsa Roja

A little bit of smoke and not too much spice will make this your new go-to salsa recipe. Get the recipe for Salsa Roja »
"Crab,

Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip

Crab dip is made even better when mixed with artichokes and spinach and topped with crispy pepperoni and cracker crumbs. Get the recipe for Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip »
"Cilantro

Cilantro Yogurt Chutney

This creamy yogurt-based chutney is made with cilantro, lime, and fresh green chiles. Get the recipe for Cilantro Yogurt Chutney »
"Fromage

Fromage Fort

Fromage Fort
"green

Green Goddess Dressing (Adapted from Helen Brown’s West Coast Cook Book)

By Brown’s publication date in the early 1950s, countless variations of green goddess dressing already existed. But Brown provides—then riffs on—the original from San Francisco’s Palace Hotel, where the dressing was created. Her version is well-balanced, cutting the mayonnaise and some optional heavy cream with plenty of vinegar, fresh herbs, and salty anchovies. Get the recipe for Green Goddess Dressing »
"mustard

Herbed Mustard Dipping Sauce

Serve this simple but gussied-up dipping sauce with all kinds of party snacks, especially our ultimate pigs in a blanket. Get the recipe for Herbed Mustard Dipping Sauce
"Wasakaka

Wasakaka Sauce

Wasakaka is similar to Argentina’s chimichurri. With just four ingredients, wasakaka is one of the simplest Caribbean condiments there is, and it’s almost always served with roasted and grilled chicken. Get the recipe for Wasakaka Sauce »
"Mojo

Cuban Mojo Sauce

Mojo Sauce
"Sunchoke

Sunchoke Hummus

"Ajvar"

Ajvar

A smoky, sweet, and savory condiment as versatile as ketchup. This version is adapted from Tim Wiechmann, of Boston’s Playska, a Balkan-style sandwich shop. Get the recipe for Ajvar »
"Cream

Cream Cheese Dip With Chutney

Tangy mango chutney cuts the richness of this cheesy, bacon-topped, cheddar-flecked dip. Get the recipe for Cream Cheese Dip With Chutney »
"Fall

French Boursin Dip with Radishes

A creamy soft cheese spread flecked with dill, parsley, and chive. Get the recipe for French Boursin Dip with Radishes »
"Clarified

Clarified Butter with Garlic and Chiles

Crushed garlic cloves and red Thai chiles lend depth and heat to sweet, nutty clarified butter. Get the recipe for Clarified Butter with Garlic and Chiles »
"Tartar

Tartar Sauce

With capers, shallots, and fresh parsley, this homemade classic boasts bigger flavor than the stuff most supermarkets sell in a jar. Get the recipe for Tartar Sauce »
"Ponzu

Ponzu Sauce

Smoky bonito flakes (thinly shaved dried, fermented, and smoked tuna) and kombu (dried seaweed) impart savory richness to this Asian-inspired favorite. Get the recipe for Ponzu Sauce »
"Tahini-Beet

Tahini-Beet Dip

Tahini’s nutty, luxurious properties don’t stop at hummus. Keep the sesame paste flowing with this bright red purée of boiled beets, lemon, and garlic. Get the recipe for Tahini-Beet Dip »
"Beard

Bread Salsa

Herbaceous, the right kind of salty, and textural, this rustic breadcrumb and anchovy laden condiment adds crunch and brightness to sliced roasted meats and vegetables. Get the recipe for Bread Salsa »
"Green

Green Goddess Sauce

This sauce of herbs in a creamy base is great for dipping veggies in. Get the recipe for Green Goddess Sauce »
"ssamjang

Ssamjang (Korean Barbecue Paste)

"Smoked

Smoked Yogurt

Smoking yogurt over wood and mixing it with white miso creates a complex, unusual dip. Get the recipe for Smoked Yogurt »
"Roasted

Roasted Parsnips with Horseradish Mayonnaise

Horseradish is a staple of many Passover seder tables. In this dish from cookbook author Leah Koenig, it gets mixed with mayonnaise and fresh rosemary in a piquant dip for roasted parsnips. Get the recipe for Roasted Parsnips with Horseradish Mayonnaise »
"Spicy

Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi)

This zippy raita gets its punch from green Thai chiles and its sweetness from pineapple. A piquant mixture of black mustard seeds, dried red chiles, and curry leaves lends the sauce an earthy spice. Get the recipe for Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi) »

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