I can’t think of a more appropriate holiday celebration to try out four of my fire-cracking recipes for some amazing dips.

More than any warm-weather gathering of family and friends, the lazy, hazy days of early July just invite us to relax with our favorite beverages while snacking the day away.

And while we all have our favorite snacks, sometimes you’ve just gotta stir something up to stir up some new conversations at the food table. These dips certainly fill the bill.

I’ve kept these four recipes on the easy side, but feel free to jazz them up with any number of additional ingredients.

And while you’re shopping at Nino’s for your dip ingredients, keep us in mind for all the rest of your 4th of July menu items, such as fruit and vegetable trays, meats for grilling, deli meats and cheeses, bakery goods, groceries, and of course, all your beverage needs. We have it all!

So, without any additional fanfare, here are my NEW 4 for the 4th Dip Recipes!

Enjoy!

Chipotle/Bacon and Cheese Dip

Serve Cold or at Room Temperature with Crackers
Serves 4

1 -12 oz Bottle Nino’s Fresh Chipotle Ranch Dressing
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Cup Smoked Cheddar Cheese, shredded
½ Cup Crumbled Bacon Pieces
¼ Cup Green Onions, sliced finely on bias
Optional Few Drops of Liquid Smoke Seasoning
Optional Few Drops of Tabasco® Sauce

1. Whisk all ingredients together until well mixed.

Cheesy Taco Beef Dip

Serve Warm with Tortilla Chips
Serves 6

1 TBSP Vegetable Oil
½ Medium Sweet Onion, diced ¼”
½ Red Bell Pepper, diced ¼”
1 Lb Lean Ground Beef
1 – 1-oz Pkg. Lawry’s® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 Lb Velveeta Cheese
½ Cup Sour Cream
To Taste Salt and Pepper

1. In a medium-sized sauté pan, sauté onions and bell peppers in 1 TBSP vegetable oil until tender, and then add the ground beef and cook until browned. Strain off all grease, and reserve meat and onions within the pan. Discard grease.
2. Add taco seasoning and Velveeta Cheese, and bring to a simmer while stirring.
3. Stir in sour cream and remove from heat.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cool and Breezy Lime and Yogurt Dip with Fresh Mint

Serve Cold with Fresh Strawberries
Serves 6

1 – 10 oz Jar Dickinson’s Lime Curd
1 Quart Vanilla Yogurt (your choice)
¼ Cup Fresh Mint, finely shredded and coarsely chopped

1. Whisk all ingredients together until well mixed.

Spicy Cajun Black Bean Dip

Serve at Room Temperature with Crisp Toasts or Crackers
Serves 6

1 TBSP Olive Oil
½ Medium Sweet Onion, diced ¼”
½ Green Bell Pepper, diced ¼”
1 – 16 oz Can La Preferida Refried Black Beans
2 Cups French Onion Chip Dip
2 Roma Tomatoes, diced ¼” (with juice)
2 – 3 TBSP Salvaggio Cajun Seasoning & Rub
To Taste Salt
Optional 1 Cup Andouille Sausage, chopped

1. In a medium-sized sauté pan, sauté onion and peppers in olive oil until tender. Remove from heat, and stir in refried black beans to soften.
2. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature, and then stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Add Andouille Sausage (optional), sautéed briefly and then cooled to room temperature.
4. Season additionally with salt to taste.