Perfect Summer Dip Recipes for Parties

Turn fresh summer vegetables into vibrant salsa, guacamole and other dips that are perfect for summer parties.

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Photo By: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Stephen Murello ©Stephen Murello

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Stephen Murello ©Stephen Murello

Guacamole

Alton's classic guacamole highlights velvety avocado with fresh, crisp chunks of tomato and onion.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Crab Dip with Garlic Saltines and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh lump crabmeat is the star of the show in Tyler Florence's easy dip, ready to spread on garlic butter-toasted saltines with juicy burst cherry tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Crab Dip with Garlic Saltines and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

Flavored with garlic, lemon juice and parsley leaves, pureed cannellini beans make an excellent dip for pita chips, crackers or crudité.

Get the Recipe: White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

Salsa

Heat seekers will love this salsa studded with ancho chiles and jalapenos.

Get the Recipe: Salsa

Onion Dip from Scratch

Forget those onion dip flavoring packets — Alton Brown makes it from scratch with a simple mixture of spices.

Get the Recipe: Onion Dip from Scratch

Salsa Roja

Tyler Florence's salsa roja gets its vibrant red color and bold flavor from three different kinds of toasted chiles and roasted plum tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Salsa Roja

Hummus Dip

No cocktail hour is complete without a classic hummus recipe, but this version, with Asian sesame oil and cumin, has extra nutty flavor and spice.

Get the Recipe: Hummus Dip

Five Layer Mexican Dip

By scaling back on each layer and subbing out caloric refried beans for a homemade chipotle-lime black bean dip, Ellie Krieger proves that Mexican doesn't have to mean unhealthy.

Get the Recipe: Five Layer Mexican Dip

Guacamole

Tyler finds the perfect balance between flavors with his chunky guacamole, and works in some sweet Serrano heat.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Ginger Almond Eggplant Dip

Roast eggplant and mix with a warm, earthy spice blend for a party dip with deep, toasted flavor.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Almond Eggplant Dip

Burnt Chipotle Salsa

This unforgettable sweet and tangy authentic salsa recipe is from the highlands of Veracruz. You'll taste why this complex, browned salsa is also known as Salsa Negra.

Get the Recipe: Burnt Chipotle Salsa

Hummus with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Spanish paprika, lemon juice and sun-dried tomatoes help spruce up Mark Bittman's take on the Middle-Eastern favorite made from mashed, heart-healthy chickpeas.

Get the Recipe: Hummus with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Jalapeno-Mango Salsa

Don't be fooled by this innocent-looking salsa, made with mango and pineapple chunks in lieu of standard tomatoes. A minced jalapeño pepper balances out all that sweetness with its raw heat.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno-Mango Salsa

Cucumber-Dill Yogurt Dip

This creamy, tangy dip served with crudites makes a refreshing addition to any appetizer spread.

Get the Recipe: Cucumber-Dill Yogurt Dip

Tomato Salsa

This painfully simple salsa is so good and so good for you. Use this tomato salsa as a base, and then make it your own with mix-ins.

Get the Recipe: Tomato Salsa

Seafood Guacamole

Made with jumbo lump crabmeat, juicy shrimp or lobster, this is one of the most decadent guacamole recipes we have seen in a long time.

Get the Recipe: Seafood Guacamole

Basic Salsa Fresca

Try this versatile salsa fresca on grilled fish, sprinkled over kabobs, tucked inside sizzling fajita tacos or as a fantastic filling inside avocado halves.

Get the Recipe: Basic Salsa Fresca

Bourbon Onion Dip

Lee Anne Wong's boozy onion dip is spiked with half a cup of Bourbon, which adds great bite to offset the creaminess.

Get the Recipe: Bourbon Onion Dip

Sweet Pea Dip

A sweet and creamy dip made with peas and sheep’s milk ricotta cheese is an unusual, flavorful beginning that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Pea Dip

Spicy Guacamole

Your guests will love this easy guac with a jalapeno kick.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Guacamole

Grilled Corn Salsa

Simplicity is the secret in Michael Chiarello's fresh corn salsa. The sweet yellow kernels are mixed with red onion and vine-ripened tomatoes, then topped with extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salsa

Pico de Gallo Fresh Tomato Salsa

Also known as Salsa Mexicana, this recipe is going to become your go-to condiment. It's fresh, fast and unforgettable.

Get the Recipe: Pico de Gallo Fresh Tomato Salsa

Tomatillo Guacamole

Kelsey gives guacamole some extra spunk with the addition of tangy tomatillos.

Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Guacamole

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa with Chipotle and Roasted Garlic

The roasted garlic and chipotle in this salsa give it complex sweetness that works beautifully with the tangy tomatillos.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa with Chipotle and Roasted Garlic

Guacamole with Cumin Dusted Tortillas

The guacamole isn’t the only star of this party fare. Fry corn tortillas until golden brown and sprinkle with cumin for chips that don't actually need the dip.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole with Cumin Dusted Tortillas

Salsa Verde: Green Tomatillo Salsa

Ricky Bayless's salsa verde — whether served herby and raw or with a roasted tang — makes a great dip for tortilla chips or condiment for grilled meats.

Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde: Green Tomatillo Salsa