Best Million Dollar Dip Recipe

If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer loaded with creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors, this Million Dollar Dip will become your new go-to recipe! With layers of rich cream cheese, tangy blue cheese dressing, gooey Gruyère, crispy bacon, and crunchy slivered almonds, this dip is ready in less than 30 minutes and packed with indulgent flavors that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

I have always been a dip kind of girl; I especially like the creaminess and the endless serving possibilities. A few popular dips that my friends and family love are this Deviled eggs dip and Philly cheesesteak dip; hands down, when someone tries them, they always ask for the recipe!

This indulgent and decadent dip delivers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. I like to serve it at game nights, holiday gatherings, or casual dinners. The best part is that I can make it in advance, so I don’t have to worry about one more dish on the day of the party. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, game day party, or casual get-together, this dip is guaranteed to disappear fast!

Why you will love this recipe

✅ Perfect for entertaining – This recipe is easy to make a day in advance and always a crowd-pleaser! It is also tailored to serve a large party.

✅ Easy to make – I love easy recipes packed with flavor. If you use bacon crumbs, you don’t have to cook anything to make this dip.

✅ Versatile – The recipe is already gluten-free, so you don’t have to worry about your gluten-free friend feeling left out. It can also be served with finger foods, like chips, crunchy veggies, crackers, and baguette slices.

✅ Can be made ahead – I am a fan of recipes that I can make ahead of time; this way, I have more free time on the day the party is.

What you will need:

• Cheese: To make this recipe rich and indulgent, I combined cream cheese, Gruyere, and aged cheddar.
• Blue cheese dressing – While many recipes use mayo, I prefer the flavor of a good blue cheese dressing mixed with cream cheese.
• Garlic – I like to add fresh garlic to this dip; it adds a deep, umami flavor that balances the cheese’s richness with the bacon’s smokiness.
• Bacon – Ensure the bacon is crispy. You can buy cooked bacon from the deli or use bacon bits to save time.
• Slivered almonds – I enjoy their chewy and crunchy texture, which contrasts nicely with the creaminess of the cheese.
• Green onions – This recipe is very rich, and the onions add a pop of color and a refreshing flavor!

How to make it

Cook the bacon: I start by cooking the bacon. I lay it on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven until crispy, or I make my air-fried bacon. I let it cool and crumble it.

Cheese mix: In a large bowl, I whisk together cream cheese, blue cheese dressing, minced garlic, and Gruyere cheese.

Assemble: I start layering the dip in a deep glass salad bowl. First, I add 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture, then slivered almonds, 1/3 of the grated cheddar cheese, 1/3 of the bacon, and 1/3 of the green onions. I repeat the layers two more times.

Chill: I wrap the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Expert tip

Let the flavors develop

While this dip can be served immediately, I recommend chilling it for four hours or overnight. This way, the flavors will meld together and create a more complex profile. Another important tip is to choose high-quality cheese. Do not use pre-shredded cheese; get a block and shred it before adding it to the dip.

More tips to consider:

• Mince the garlic finely to ensure it distributes evenly into the cream cheese mixture.
• Ensure the bacon is crispy; otherwise, it will become soggy when added to the dip.
• Let the dip chill for a few hours before serving and sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
• If you have time and want to add extra flavor to the almonds, I recommend lightly toasting them in the oven.
• Make sure the layers are even so that when scooping the dip, you get every flavor in one bite.

Recipe variations:

• Spicy kick: For a spicy dip, I incorporate a finely minced jalapeno and 1/4 cup of homemade buffalo sauce into the cream cheese mixture.
• Crack dip: Instead of blue cheese dressing, use Ranch dressing for the famous bacon, Ranch, and cheese combo everyone loves.
• Cajun style: I mix in one teaspoon of Cajun seasoning into the cream cheese mixture!
• Nut-free: Skip the almonds and use sunflower or pepita seeds to add some crunch.
• Vegetarian: Leave the bacon to make it vegetarian; use smoked tempeh instead.

How to serve it

This is a very popular dip, so make sure you have enough because everyone will try to have a bite or two. I usually plate it on a platter with crackers, celery sticks, mini carrots, toasted French baguettes, and chips. If it’s a larger party, I include my easy-to-make brie with roasted berries. My girlfriends go crazy for this one.

This dip is perfect for tailgating and game nights, so I pair it with honey garlic wings or crispy Korean chicken and blue cheese dressing. I have a personal favorite, which, if you try it, you will be hooked. I make this beer bread, and I spread the dip on it with a drizzle of hot sauce, OMG, this is heavenly!

How to store:

• Room temperature: To avoid bacterial growth, the dip can be left at room temperature for 2 hours or one hour if the temperature is above 80F (27C).
• Refrigerate: Scoop the dip into an airtight container or cover it well with plastic wrap. It can be kept in the fridge for 2 days.
• Freeze: I do not recommend freezing it.

Tips for serving the dip at outdoor events:

• Use a chilled serving bowl, or fill a tray with ice and place the bowl on it.
• Keep the dip refrigerated and serve smaller portions. Scoop it on chips and serve them as a bite-size appetizer; refill as needed.
• Stir the dip occasionally to keep it smooth, and replace the melted ice as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

More party appetizers to try: