Cold, hot, spicy or sweet, who doesn’t love a good dip? Most people have dips that they are famous for bringing to get-togethers, and partygoers have favorite dips that they always make a beeline for. Dip recipes are often passed down through generations, and many times become traditions of countless family-and friend celebrations. Food brings people together, and these party dips will have your guests coming back for more. Here are some of our employees’ favorite recipes.
Samantha Balaski
Jalapeño Popper Dip
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 can diced jalapeños (or fresh if you prefer)
- 1/2 jar of Hormel® bacon bits
- 1/2 stick of butter, melted
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- to taste garlic powder
Instructions
Stir together cream cheese and next four ingredients; put into a 9×9-inch pan. Stir together remaining three ingredients and put on top of the cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes or until the top is brown and bubbly.
“My favorite dip of all time is jalapeño popper dip! When I first moved to Austin, Minn., a few years ago, I brought the dip to a couple of parties before learning the hard way that many Minnesotans don’t appreciate spicy foods the way I do. When I met my fiancé in 2015, I knew he was the one for me when he loved my jalapeño popper dip as much as I do! He now requests it for practically every big game or event at our house.”
Samantha is a brand manager in meat products marketing at the Corporate Office
“This dip tastes so great, there are rarely any leftovers. My whole family is a fan of this one, and we love to bring it to potlucks because we know it’s going to be one of a kind. It is a versatile dip that can be served with different dipping foods like rye or marbled bread – my favorite – or crackers, celery, pretzels or whatever else your taste buds desire. I promise you’ll like it, even if you’re not a sauerkraut fan.”
Janina is a customer and supplier quality assurance administrator at Jennie-O Turkey Store.
Megan Hjelle
Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 2 cups Jennie-O® Buffalo-style chicken breast, diced
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- As desired Buffalo-style chicken wing sauce
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker over medium heat. Stir frequently while the cheese is melting. Serve with wheat crackers, tortilla chips or celery sticks.
“This is my go-to recipe using Jennie-O® Buffalo chicken. This dip is such a huge hit every time I make it. The secret is the sour cream, which makes it fluffier. My favorite things to enjoy it with are wheat crackers and a glass of red wine.”
Megan is a R&D culinary specialist at Jennie-O Turkey Store.
Kim Marsh
Grandma Marie’s Pumpkin Dip
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together with a mixer and refrigerate overnight or at least a few hours. Serve in a hollowed-out pumpkin with ginger snaps, vanilla wafers or crackers for dipping.
“Every year growing up, our grandma Marie would make this pumpkin dip for us during the fall holidays. It was Grandpa’s favorite and ours, too! Back in those days, she would cook the fresh pumpkin and even roast the pumpkin seeds for us. This is a modern version using canned pumpkin, making it a very easy and delicious recipe. Grandma Marie was very much into recipe contests and would always bring home a ribbon from any event she would enter.”
Kim is a regional sales manager for Hormel Health Labs.
Jennie Esplan
Cheese Ball Dip
- 2 jars Hormel® dried beef, chopped, divided
- 2 packages cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon Accent or other branded flavor enhancer
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 green onion tops, chopped
Instructions
Mix together half of the chopped beef, cream cheese, flavor enhancer, Worcestershire sauce and onions. Form into a ball and place on your serving display. Cover the ball with the remaining dried beef. Serve with crackers.
“This cheese ball dip is a family favorite and is perfect for happy hours with friends, special occasions, patio gatherings or just Sundays during football season. It has a strong flavor and is very addicting! It’s definitely a crowd pleaser and pairs well with any beverage.”
Jennie is a legal administrative assistant at the Corporate Office.
“Whenever we have a department potluck, my co-worker Kathy Willger brings her famous Reuben dip. Kathy has been bringing this staple to our gatherings for the past couple of years. It is a warm dip, so it’s perfect for fall and winter. It has some great ingredients that really get your taste buds going. You just can’t go wrong with this simple and tasty dip!”
Lindsey is a replenishment coordinator at Jennie-O Turkey Store.
Nick Schweitzer
Smokey Bacon Onion Dip
- 8 slices Hormel® Black Label® double smoked bacon
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) block Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
Heat oven to 400° F. Cook bacon according to package directions, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings. Cool the bacon and coarsely chop. In large skillet, heat reserved drippings over medium-high heat. Cook onions in drippings for 20 minutes, stirring often until browned. In medium bowl, stir together bacon, onions and remaining ingredients. Transfer mixture to 1-quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
“Move over spinach, bacon is taking over. This bacon onion dip is a play on spinach artichoke dip, and it is one of my favorites. If you want to make an even bigger batch, I recommend using one of the Hormel® Black Label® 24-ounce stack pack thick cut bacon products, like the cherrywood smoked variety.”
Nick is a senior brand manager in meat products marketing at the Corporate Office.
Bridgette Brown
Apple Dip
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 small container whipped topping
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together. Serve with sliced apples.
“This dip isn’t one that was at every family event, but when I found it in my grandma’s cookbook and made it for the first time, I knew it would be perfect with apples. For those who have ever attempted to make caramel, you know how temperamental it can be. This dip is light and delicious, and a perfect substitute for homemade caramel. Also, it holds up well and can last in the fridge a while. I like to double the recipe for gatherings and then hope for a chance of having leftovers!”
Bridgette is a legal administrative assistant at the Corporate Office
Chelsea Scott
Beer Cheese Dip
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet powdered ranch dip mix
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup domestic beer
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- to garnish green onion
- to garnish Hormel® bacon bits
Instructions
Place cream cheese, ranch mix and dried minced onion in a bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until combined. Slowly mix in ½ cup of beer until combined. If the dip is too thick, add in the additional ¼ cup of beer. Mix in cheddar cheese. Place dip in fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Sprinkle green onion and bacon bits on top. Serve with crackers.
“Like any good Midwesterner, I’ve found a dip that combines all of the best things — beer, bacon, cheese and ranch dressing. This dip has been a huge hit at family events and potlucks. It’s the first thing people ask for when I arrive at a party. It’s always, ‘Did you bring the dip?’”
Chelsea is a quality and process control supervisor at Osceola Food.