Southwest Cream Cheese Dip is full of flavor and pairs perfectly with chips, crackers or veggies. This simple dip is the perfect appetizer!
We love parties and we love snacks. Everyone loves a good dip, even if just because it gives you a reason to eat more chips! This dip is a favorite because it is seasoned so perfectly and can be made a day or two in advance if needed.
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SOUTHWEST CREAM CHEESE DIP
This chip dip recipe is made with cream cheese, sour cream and salsa. Add lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin and a few other spices to add a ton of flavor. Stir in some pepper-jack cheese, black beans and corn to create the perfect blend of southwest flavors. Garnish the dip with green onions and chill until ready to serve. Serve the dip with chips, crackers, pretzels and/or sliced veggies.
INGREDIENTS IN SOUTHWEST CREAM CHEESE DIP
Cream cheese – One brick of cream cheese (8 oz). Make sure it is completely softened before adding to the recipe. You can use regular cream cheese or a low-fat or non-fat variety.
Sour cream – You can also use plain greek yogurt if you’d like a little extra protein. You can use regular or low-fat sour cream.
Salsa – Use your favorite salsa or whatever you have on hand! Picante sauce works great or you can even make your own homemade salsa in just a few minutes!
Lime juice – You can use fresh squeezed lime juice or the kind out of a bottle.
Seasonings – You will need chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin and black pepper.
Pepper-jack cheese – Shredded pepper-jack cheese helps to contribute to the traditional southwest flavor of the dip, but you can use cheddar or a cheddar-jack blend if you prefer.
Black beans – Make sure to drain and rinse the black beans before adding to the dip. The recipe calls for a cup, but I usually add the whole (14.5 oz) can.
Corn – Canned corn works great in this dip. Again, the recipe calls for a cup of canned corn but I usually use the whole can. Make sure to drain the corn well before adding to the recipe.
Green onions – Sliced green onions make the perfect garnish for the dip. If you don’t like onions, you can leave them off!
Chips, crackers, or veggies of your choice for dipping – Tortilla chips, Wheat Thins, Triscuits and sliced peppers, celery and carrots all make great dippers!
HOW TO MAKE SOUTHWEST CREAM CHEESE DIP
In a medium sized bowl with an electric mixer, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
Stir in the salsa and lime juice until incorporated, followed by the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin and black pepper.
Mix in the pepper-jack cheese, black beans and corn.
Spread the dip into a serving dish or bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Chill for at least 30-45 minutes before serving. The dip can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Serve with crackers, chips, pretzels or veggies of your choice.
SOUTHWEST CREAM CHEESE DIP
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned corn drained
- Sliced green onions for garnish
- Chips crackers, or veggies of your choice for dipping
Nutrition
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WHAT KIND OF SALSA TO USE IN SOUTHWEST CHIP DIP?
We have tried all kinds of salsa and they all work great! Many times we use something like Pace Picante, but you can use a fresh type of salsa and it works well too! Sometimes we even use a green salsa and it has an entirely different flavor, but it’s excellent too.
HOW DO YOU MAKE A SMOOTH CREAM CHEESE DIP?
The key to making the cream cheese dip smooth is to make sure that the cream cheese is completely softened. Room temperature is optimal, but if you are in a hurry, you can place cold cream cheese in the microwave. Microwave at 10-second intervals, checking in between to make sure that the cream cheese isn’t melting or getting too hot. Continue to stir the cream cheese in between each interval until you get a smooth, creamy texture.
CAN YOU USE LOW-FAT CREAM CHEESE IN THIS CREAM CHEESE DIP RECIPE?
Yes, you can use low-fat or even non-fat cream cheese in this recipe. There is enough flavor and texture added in with the salsa and the shredded cheddar that you probably won’t even notice the difference!
WHAT DO YOU SERVE WITH CHEESY SALSA DIP?
Tortilla chips are absolutely amazing with this dip – this dip recipe is perfect as a chip dip! Just make sure to use a sturdy chip – Tostitos scoops are one of the best chips for being able to hold a lot of dip!
You can also use other types of crackers like Wheat Thins or Triscuits if you prefer. Or you can even eat this dip with carrots and celery or other fresh veggies!
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Southwest Cream Cheese Dip is full of flavor and pairs perfectly with chips, crackers or veggies. This simple dip is the perfect appetizer!
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