This Really Good Jalapeño Dip is so simple to make and a crowd pleasing appetizer every time. You and your guests are going to love it as much as my family does!
I love having a few go-to dips to prepare for parties or impromptu get-togethers. This Really Good Jalapeño Dip just moved into the Top 5 of my go-to dip recipes. Let me explain.
Really Good Jalapeño Dip:
I was back home for a while this past Christmas. During that time there were lots of family gatherings. My dad’s wife Michelle had a new dip recipe to share: a jalapeño dip.
At first glance, it appeared basic, but one bite proved otherwise. Served chilled, the simple combination of flavors resulted in a really good dip. I was hooked.
This dip made several appearances throughout the week I was in St. Marys, and I was never disappointed. At several points, I physically stop myself from overindulging on it.
But, of course, before I left I had to ask for the recipe so I could share it with all of you.
As you know, I use the phrase “really good” instead of “the best” here on IBC. Since I haven’t tried all of the jalapeño dips in the world, I can’t claim that this is the best. However, I can tell you that this dip is really, really, really good!!
How to Make Really Good Jalapeño Dip:
Besides the flavor, one of the things I love about this recipe is that it comes together quickly. Counting the time it takes to chop the peppers, the total prep time is under 10 minutes.
Since this dip contains jalapeños, I assume you’re wondering about the spiciness. To be honest, it’s not that spicy.
Michelle recommends using the pith (the white part in the pepper) and seeds from one of the jalapeño peppers. That’s what she did. There was a touch of heat, but all that cheese keeps the spiciness to a minimum.
If you want more heat, use the pith and seeds from more than one of the jalapeños. If you don’t like heat, don’t include any pith or seeds.
No matter what spiciness level you prefer, I think you’re going to love this recipe as much as my family did. We’re obsessed!
Curious about what else is in my Top 5 dips? Check out all of my best dip recipes here. There is something for everyone. You could also have a dip party and just make them all.
Without further ado, here’s the recipe for this Really Good Jalapeño Dip!
More of my Favorite Dip Recipes:
- Out-of-this-World Corn Dip
- The BEST Veggie Dip
- The Ultimate Sausage Pizza Dip
- Skillet Rueben Dip
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake Dip
Simple, tasty, and speckled with color. What’s not to love?
Give this Really Good Jalapeno Dip a try. I’m certain you’ll be adding it to your list of favorite appetizer recipes, too!
Really Good Jalapeño Dip Recipe:
Really Good Jalapeño Dip
Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese - softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 envelope dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 large red bell pepper - finely diced
- 5 jalapeño peppers* - seeded and finely diced
- 1 bag Tostitos Scoop chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, red pepper, and jalapeños until evenly combined.
- Place prepared dip into a dish. Serve with Tostitos Scoop chips.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Oh, we like it spicy in Colorado! This is perfect! I love the Staub platter too. I’m seeing that at HomeGoods and Williams-Sonoma. Thanks for posting. Can’t wait to try it for a girls night!
When I try to save this to pinterest, it just pulls up a blank page. Is it linked correctly on your end?
When I search your boards on Pinterest, it isn’t coming up either.
I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be working for you. I’ve noticed it pinned a few times. I just added a new social bar to the top of each post. Try using that Pinterest button to pin. 🙂 Thanks!
xo Michael
I was able to pin from the bar at the top but not from the actual picture in the post…the mysteries of the internet!
Lol. EXACTLY! Either way, I’m glad one option worked for you. 🙂
xo Michael
Can this be made ahead
It’s best served on the same day. The peppers release water and can make the dip runny after and extended period of time.
It only take a few minutes to mix up, maybe cut the peppers in advance then mix the day you’re going to serve.
xo Michael
I just made it. It tastes good but mostly like cream cheese and jalapeño peppers. Maybe my peppers were too big? I might add sour cream and extra ranch seasoning. Good potential! Thanks for posting the recipe.
Excellent Dip! Nice and hot !! I will share this batch with friends ..
thank you !
I made this at a pool party and it was a hit! Also someone said “That dip is REALLY GOOD!” 🙂 Living up to its name!
Haha! Yes! Love it!
xo Michael
This looks absolutely mouthwatering delicious, and I can hardly wait until tomorrow to buy all needed so I can make this for my hubby. Thanks for sharing. Yum!
May I use canned jalapeno if so how many cans please thank u
I wouldn’t. Stick with fresh for this recipe.
xo Michale
Have you tried it adding a few real bacon bits…..just curious if someone has tried it?
Made this for a party tonight. Friends repeatedly told me, “This is really good!” So, the name is spot on! Several wanted the recipe. I used the food processor to mince the peppers, took them out, whipped the cheeses in the processor with the ranch mix, then added the peppers back in and pulsed a few times. Consistency was perfect. Also, adjusted the heat to my liking with some Siracha sauce. Couldn’t have been easier. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thanks Dave. I followed your directions and it was perfect. And SO much easier than mincing all of those peppers. I only used four jalapenos, as mine seemed bigger than average. I probably could have gone with 3…
This dip looks and sounds delicious! For the red peppers, is it a red bell pepper?
Yes. Red Bell Pepper.
xo Michael
I made this and it is so delicious! Was wondering how long you think it will last in the fridge? 2-3 days… or?
Yep – that’s my guess. The peppers may start to get mushy after that.
xo Michael
Hand me a spoon and I can do some serious damage on this dip!
Mixing this together was a little tough so I would recommend leaving the cream cheese out while you cut the peppers. Or maybe longer? Also since it’s so thick I would get crackers or plantain chips or something sturdier to scoop this dip than tostidos. The chips keep breaking and it’s annoying.
Yes, as the recipe suggests, the cream cheese should be softened before mixing. I’d leave it out until it becomes room temp.
Enjoy!
xo Michael
I added 1/2 cup of sour cream to make it thinner It was delicious!
Great idea!! Thanks for sharing.
xo Michael
I love the speckled color! We’re a big dip family and my oldest loves things with heat so I know he’d be up for trying this.
What a great dip to have at parties or when you have friends over!
Totally making this for game day this weekend!
What a perfect dip for game day! Or any party! Thanks!
This looks incredibly delicious!
Lovely post but when I am in the middle of reading a recipe for a cheesy dip, the last thing I want to scroll down and see is a fungal toe….. and more than once.
Couldnt stomach it but thank you anyway. Nice photos otherwise.
It looks perfect. I will have to try it out.
Could this be served warm?
I’ve never tried it warm, but I’d say no.
xo Michael
For anyone who has tried this, do you think cut up bagels would be good to Usenet instead of chips?!
I just shaped my prepared dip into a football shape using this pieces of red pepper for the sewn parts. Hope it’s a super bowl party hit! I’ve had it before and loved the flavor. Super easy to throw together!
YES!!!! That’s such a great idea!! Enjoy the game!
xo Michael
Can’t wait to make. Can the dip be served hot?
I don’t think it would work as a hot dip.
xo Michael
Cannot eat jalapeños. Can you suggest something else, olives maybe?
It is a jalapeño dip, so they are kind of important to the recipe. You can certainly substitute them with anything you’d like, but I’m not sure what the results would be.
xo Michael
I make this a lot & get a lot of compliments on it! What do you think diced jalopenos from a jar would be like? I was thinking as a time saver but don’t want to ruin the flavor. Has anyone used these?
I think the crunch and freshness from a fresh jalapeño can’t be beat. Jarred are often pickled or mushy.
xo Michael
subscribing to the IBC list.
So happy to have you!! <3
xo Michael
Made this tonight (to bring to a gathering tomorrow) and I licked the bowl clean! It’s easy and really good. Thanks for the recipe!
So happy to hear that! It’s one of my favorites too!
xo Michael
This is a great dip! My family and co-workers LOVED it and wanted the recipe. I only made one addition, along with the cream cheese I added some sour cream, it made it a little more smooth and gave it just a little kick of tang.
It’s more like a spicy vegetable cream cheese than it is a dip. Given that, it tasted alright, and you could whip it together really fast.
Absolutely delicious! I made this for an appetizer on Christmas and everyone wanted the recipe!!
I bet this would be delicious baked! Thanks Michael 🙂
Ive tried a few Jalapino dips, this is the best!. Only dip I will make from now on. Very few ingrediants, very quick to put together.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!!
xo Michael
Hi Michael,
Someone else asked this question but didn’t get a reply. I also need to ask the same question: When you state red pepper are you referring to a red bell pepper or another kind of pepper (lots of peppers in the market now.)
Red Bell Pepper 🙂
xo Michael
I may have hit the thumbs down botton while wrestling with my POS phome. That is wrong, wrong, wrong! This is absolutly delicious. Thanks Michael.
For the packet of dry ranch mix, what size packet is it? There is a 0.5oz that is supposed to go into 8oz or
1 oz for 16oz. I am assuming the 1 oz since you are using 16oz of cream cheese, but just wanted to make sure!
Thanks!!!!
Hmmm. I didn’t know there were two sizes. Haha. It’s the “standard” size. If that’s a thing. I believe it’s 1 oz.
xo Michael
Haha yeah…I didn’t know either until I was at the store looking for them and they had the 2 options. Since you used 16oz of cream cheese I went with the 1oz package as one package is for 16oz of sour cream (if making regular dip) so I went off of that info and it came out great! This dip is a hit with th family and they have already requested it again! Thank you!
We tried this recipe today, and it was a big hit! The fresh bell and jalapeno was delicious! I subbed 1/2 a cup of cream cheese for sour cream to give the fried wonton chips a fighting chance though. This will definitely be in the rotation! Thanks for sharing (and thank Michelle too!)!
Can you recommend something to replace the ranch dressing mix. I am not a fan of ranch.