More than just a snack or appetizer, I love dips for charcuterie boards.
With no hard and fast rules, dips are easy to whip up, endlessly versatile, and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Forget throwing out a bowl of dip with crackers, a good dip recipe can be so much more than a snack.
Ways to Use Charcuterie Board Dips
- Sandwich Charcuterie: I love dips like whipped feta, classic hummus, or baba ganoush in sandwiches or wraps. Make finger sandwiches and pinwheels for a hearty addition to a Mediterranean-style sandwich charcuterie board.
- Mexican Charcuterie: Add a dip with a bit of a spicy kick, like Salsa Roja or Red Pepper Hummus with Chipotle, to any number of picnic-friendly Mexican dishes for a Mexican-style Charcuterie
- Make the Dip the Center of Attention: Place vibrant dips, like beet hummus or Green Pea dip, in the center of the board to create a vibrant foodscape and hearty meal.
- Dipping Bowls: Use small, attractive bowls to hold assorted dips and surround them with vegetables, cheese, olives, bread, and crackers. My Pesto Cheese Bread makes a good charcuterie addition.
- Make it Seasonal: Turn to the seasons for dip inspiration, especially for spring and fall picnics when there is so much dip-friendly seasonal produce. Think peas and pumpkin, eggplant, and roasted red peppers. And, of course, there are always warm dips for winter picnics.
Charcuterie Dips Recipes
I’ve rounded up my best hot and cold dip recipes to help you create the most delicious charcuterie boards for any season.
Easy Whipped Feta Dip
Creamy Whipped Feta is an easy, delicious, and versatile dip you can make in under 10 minutes with a few ingredients. Serve it with olive oil, honey, chili flakes, or dukkah. Use it on bruschetta toast and top with slow-roasted tomatoes or roasted red peppers, in sandwiches, or as a dip for watermelon or figs.
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Easy Hummus Recipe
Hummus is the king of dips, and homemade hummus is so easy to make that there's no excuse for substandard store-bought versions. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up delicious, healthy hummus anytime. It's perfect for a Mediterranean charcuterie board, served with pitas and crispy vegetables. It also makes a tasty foundation for many vegan picnic recipes.
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Smoky Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
This smokey pumpkin hummus dip is a delicious seasonal twist on your fall picnic finger food and appetizer repertoire. It’s incredibly creamy, a little sweet, and subtly smoky. This smoky pumpkin dip pairs beautifully with roasted vine tomatoes and grilled peppers, pita, and fresh bread. Some Sigara Boregi (crispy cheese pasty rolls) are nice with this charcuterie.
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Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Chipotle
This Red Pepper Chipotle Hummus benefits from a slightly smoky flavor with an added kick. Roasted red peppers give the hummus a smooth and slightly sweet finish for a somewhat different texture. I love this sassy picnic dip for Mexican-themed picnic charcuterie or with DIY picnic burritos and tortillas. It also spices up a burger or sandwich or wraps nicely.
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Roasted Beet Hummus Recipe
Take gorgeous ruby red roasted beets, roasted until soft and sweet, and add them to your base hummus recipe. Roast Beet Hummus is a gorgeously vibrant dip that will brighten any charcuterie board. It's also very healthy and incredibly delicious. I love this hummus as a center piece dip but also as a side to grilled meats. It is also a big winner on burgers, sandwiches and wraps like my Raw Veggie Wraps with Avocado.
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Super Simple Mexican Salsa Roja Recipe
Mexican cuisine offers various salsas perfect for picnics, with Salsa Roja ("red sauce") being a favorite. It's easy to make, requires few fresh ingredients, and complements many dishes. Use it as the centerpiece of a Mexican charcuterie with tortilla bread or corn chips or as a sauce for a DIY taco or tortilla board.
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Baba Ganoush Eggplant Dip
Baba Ganoush, a smoky Middle Eastern eggplant dip, is as versatile as hummus for picnics. Include it on a charcuterie board with flatbreads, olives, smoked meats, cheeses, and grilled vegetables. Its flavors complement grilled meats, making it a great side at BBQs or a spread for Mediterranean-style burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
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Pea and Mint Dip Recipe
A fabulous seasonal dish for a spring picnic, this vibrant and fresh dip is not restricted to spring and fresh sweet peas. We can enjoy this easy pea dip recipe any time of year, thanks to frozen peas.It works beautifully as the centerpiece of a fresh and vibrant spring vegetable crudité platter. As a charcuterie dish, top bite-size bruschetta pieces with pea dip and slithers of salty prosciutto. Crisp the prosciutto slithers in the oven for extra texture and saltiness.
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Warm Dip Recipes
Picnic dips don't have to be cold. For cool weather picnics, think of comforting warm dips that go beyond simple appetizers. Explore the delicious possibilities of warm dips for cozy charcuterie board ideas.
These hot dip recipes use seasonal produce perfect for a fall picnic menu and are the perfect comfort food for cosy winter picnics.
Cauliflower Buffalo Dip (Vegetarian)
Cauliflower Buffalo Dip is a hearty, vegetarian take on the classic. Made with fresh riced cauliflower, it allows for healthier variations like yogurt instead of sour cream and different cheeses. It's substantial enough to be a main dish with crusty bread or as a centerpiece on a charcuterie or crudité board. Serve it hot with fresh bread, crackers, and veggie sticks.
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Warm Broccoli Cheese Dip
Broccoli is at its best in winter, making this Broccoli cheese dip ideal for fall and winter picnics. Serve it warm or thin it with cream for room temperature. For charcuterie boards, pair it with smoked meats, olives, crusty bread, pita, crackers, veggie sticks, and stronger cheeses for a cozy wine and cheese picnic.
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Spinach Artichoke Dip (vegan)
Deliciously creamy, tasty, easy-to-make Spinach Artichoke Dip is a much healthier alternative to the traditional dip recipe.This vegan spinach and artichoke dip recipe is light, creamy, and flavorsome without heavy cream and cheese calories, making it a guilt-free indulgence. It’s a perfect all-around dip, especially for a vegan picnic charcuterie or an appetizer for any occasion.
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Tip for Transporting Warm Dips
If transporting warm dips to a picnic, store them in a thermal food container to keep them warm and smooth. Or, use an insulated lasagna carrier and transport it in the original baking dish. See my tips for keeping food warm for a picnic for more ideas.
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