Really Good Jalapeño Dip
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This really good jalapeño dip recipe strikes the perfect balance between creamy indulgence and fiery spice, making it an absolute showstopper at any gathering. It is so simple to make and a crowd pleasing appetizer every time. You and your guests are going to love this flavorful dip recipe 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.
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.
Easy to whip up at a moments notice, I know you’re going to love this amazing cold appetizer recipe! Buckle up and get ready to dazzle your guests with the perfect cold jalapeño dip recipe that will leave them begging for more. Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The creamy texture of the cream cheese provides a velvety base, while the bold, sharp flavors of the cheddar cheese add a delightful richness.
- It’s versatile enough to pair well with an array of dippers, from crunchy tortilla chips to fresh, crisp veggies.
- The dip’s creamy texture, combined with its irresistible blend of flavors, makes it a true crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests begging for the recipe.
So, get ready to dazzle your taste buds and those of your guests with this irresistible dip that combines the heat of jalapeños, the creaminess of cream cheese and cheddar cheese, and the bold flavors of dry ranch dressing mix. Prepare to take your taste buds on a flavor journey they won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of basic ingredients to make this amazing jalapeño dip recipe!
- cream cheese
- shredded cheddar cheese
- dry ranch seasoning
- jalapeno peppers
- red bell peppers
- scoop-style tortilla chips for serving
How to Make
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.
I’ll walk you through the steps for making this jalapeño dip below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing mix until evenly combined.
- Add in the red peppers and jalapeños and stir to evenly combine.
- Place prepared dip into a dish.
- Serve with Tostitos Scoop chips.
Recipe Variations
In addition to its incredible taste and versatility, this cold jalapeño dip recipe offers endless opportunities for customization. By experimenting with different ingredients and flavors, you can easily tailor this dip to suit your specific event or personal preferences.
- For those who enjoy a little extra heat, consider adding diced habanero peppers to the mix. This will give the dip an even spicier kick that will surely impress your guests. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute the jalapeños with poblano peppers for a more subtle heat.
- To add a touch of freshness and brightness, try mixing in some chopped cilantro or fresh lime juice. These additions will balance out the flavors and add a refreshing twist to the dip.
- You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack or monterey jack.
- If you want to take this dip to a whole new level of indulgence, consider adding some crispy bacon bits or cooked ground sausage. These savory additions will add depth to the flavor and make the dip even more satisfying.
With these recipe variations, you can truly customize this dip to suit any occasion and cater to different taste preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is this jalapeño dip?
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.
Can this dip be served warm?
I honestly haven’t tried. There’s no reason you couldn’t try baking it in the oven, I just can’t speak to the results. I love it served cold, so I can’t imagine enjoying it more another way.
If you’re looking for jalapeños dips designed too be served warm, try this jalapeño popper dip or jalapeño corn dip.
Are there other dip recipes you recommend?
Curious about the rest of my favorite dips? Then be sure to check out this post which contains all of my best dip recipes. There is something for everyone. You could also have a dip party and just make them all.
More Dip Recipes You Will Love
- Out-of-this-World Corn Dip
- The BEST Veggie Dip
- The Ultimate Sausage Pizza Dip
- Skillet Rueben Dip
- Sour Cream and Onion Dip
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, a game day party, or a festive celebration, this jalapeño dip with dry ranch dressing mix is the perfect addition to any occasion.
I hope you’ll give this Really Good Jalapeno Dip a try. I’m certain you’ll be adding it to your list of favorite appetizer recipes, too! If you do make it, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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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, and ranch dressing mix until evenly combined.
- Add in the red peppers and jalapeños and stir to evenly combine.
- Place prepared dip into a dish. Serve with Tostitos Scoop chips.
Served this last night at a party and everyone LOVED it! I used 4 jalapeños from the garden and the fifth pepper was something called “Sweet Heat” that I also grew. Only used seeds/pith from one jalapeño and it was perfect. Its also great on toast the next day!
Can I use canned jalapenos instead?
No. You want fresh for this recipe.
xo Michael
I made this for Super Bowl, and it wasn’t a hit (for me or anyone else really), but I really wanted to love it! If I try it again, I’ll definitely chop my jalapenos and red pepper superfine (maybe even toss them in the food processor). I chopped them the regular “fine” size, but maybe with them very very tiny the flavor would have spread through the cream cheese a bit better?
I mixed it all in the kitchenaid stand mixer, so I know it was all dispersed well.
Overall, it was so thick it was hard to scoop and the ranch flavor was too overpowering, but still felt bland. To me, this felt like a cream cheese dip with jalapenos.
Hi there! Thanks for the feedback. This is meant to be a thicker dip. We like having the peppers a little larger in size because we enjoy the crunch of the pepper. I wouldn’t recommend putting them through the food processor as it would be too watery. (If you do, drain everything on a paper towel.) Maybe this just isn’t a dip for you. (I have lots more on my blog you can try.) We love it in my family. I make it every year at Christmas.
Thanks!
Michael
I make this every year for Christmas with my family. It’s so simple but SO flavorful. It’s always gone within a few hours. Thanks for sharing!
What size dish does this fit in?
Can you recommend something to replace the ranch dressing mix. I am not a fan of ranch.
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!)!
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!
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.
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
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
I bet this would be delicious baked! Thanks Michael 🙂
Absolutely delicious! I made this for an appetizer on Christmas and everyone wanted the recipe!!
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.
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.
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
subscribing to the IBC list.
So happy to have you!! <3
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
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
Hello, This is one of the best dips that I have made. I only changed a couple things. I used extra sharp cheddar and added a little dill. This was a huge hit! thank you very much for the recipe!
Can’t wait to make. Can the dip be served hot?
I don’t think it would work as a hot dip.
xo Michael