With ingredients you likely have on hand, this cream cheese salsa dip recipe is full of zesty flavor!
Perfect for last minute entertaining, this dip couldn’t be easier to make. Simply mix and enjoy.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Savory and cheesy with a TexMex flavor and just a touch of heat.
- Time Saving Tip: Skip the shredding and use a pre-shredded cheese blend.
- Technique: Using a hand mixer makes the dip fluffy and easier to scoop.
- Versatile: Lots of variations, make it mild or spicy or add your favorite chopped veggies.
- Prep ahead: Make this dip up to 3 days in advance.
- Serving suggestions: Tortilla chips, crackers, veggies, or pretzels.
Ingredient Tips for Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
- Cream Cheese: Use a block of cream cheese for the best consistency— regular or reduced fat. Spreadable cream cheese works but the dip will be very soft.
- Salsa: Use hot, mild, or medium salsa, according to your preference.
- Seasonings: Use a packet or make homemade taco seasoning. Jalapenos add a little spice; you can skip them if you’d like.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar has a bold flavor, but it can be replaced with what you’ve got on hand or a pre-shredded Mexican cheese blend.
Variations
- Add a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro.
- Chopped bell pepper or drained corn kernels add some texture and crunch.
- Add hot sauce or extra jalapeno for some heat.
How to Make Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
- Blend: Use a hand blender to mix cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, and seasonings until fluffy.
- Add: Fold in onions and jalapenos (full recipe below).
- Chill: Chill for an hour before serving.
For a hot dip, heat all ingredients in a small saucepan until smooth and creamy.
Serving and Reheating
- If time allows, prepare it a day ahead to let the flavors blend.
- Serve with your favorite dippers like tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.
- Store leftovers in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended.
More Quick Dip Recipes
Did you love this Cream Cheese Dip? Leave a comment and a rating below!
Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
This cream cheese salsa dip is sure to be a crowd favorite. Serve it with tortilla chips or veggies for the perfect cheesy snack!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet, or 2 ½ tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa any variety
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup diced jalapeños optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, and salsa with a hand mixer until fluffy.
- Fold in cheddar, green onions, and optional jalapenos.
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Using a hand mixer adds air to the dip and makes it easy to scoop.
Cream cheese can be softened in the microwave. Remove the foil wrapper and place it in a bowl. Microwave at 60% power for 30-40 seconds. Check if it’s soft and if not, add another 15 seconds.
Use any type of salsa from mild to hot, or homemade salsa work in this recipe.
This recipe lends itself well to mix-ins from jalapenos, black olives, diced tomatoes, red onions, or cilantro.
To Serve as a Hot Dip
Combine all ingredients except the shredded cheese in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat stirring until smooth and melted. Add the shredded cheese and cook just until softened.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 200 | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1160IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
A must make for up coming Super Bowl 2025…(and every other party/gathering)
Go!!! Kansas City Chiefs!!!
❤️
Holly,
I have served this dip several times cold/room temperature and it’s always a huge hit
I have been wanting to try this as a hot dip and did read in the post your advice on heating stove top in a sauce pan…but do you think it could be all mixed together – including the shredded Cheddar cheese, and then oven baked in a small casserole dish at say 350° for about 20 to 25 minutes???
I can’t see any reason it couldn’t be baked in the oven! Let us know how it goes!
Made this for a happy hour and truly everyone loved it! Used fresh jalapeño instead of canned. Will definitely make again. Thanks for all of your wonderful appetizer ideas.
Thanks for trying out recipe, Aira! I am so glad you enjoyed it.
I have not made this recipe yet, but it sounds and looks like something my family would like. I
I would love to hear what they think of it!
I made this and took it to a super bowl get together. It’s delicious and easy and quick. Yet another winner from you, Holly!
So happy it was a hit, Gail!
Why does the recipe say, the jalapenos should be finely chopped and drained? Aren’t they fresh jalapenos? Or, are they canned?
I use canned jalapeños.
Great and super easy. Getting these ingredients is even easy living in a Yucatán Pueblo.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Monte! Thanks for the comment.
Making this tonight for the Leafs game. Love the simplicity.
I am going to add some sliced black olives and use old (white) cheddar because its what I have on hand.
I may also get frisky tonight and heat it up.. we will see
Delicious! Made this for the Super Bowl to serve with tortilla chips. I added 1/4 cup more salsa, and I used 1/4 cup of bulk taco seasoning instead of an envelope of seasoning. Love the flavor, and it makes a good quantity of dip!
Followed the recipe and it came out perfect! So good. We used scoops Fritos for dipping. I also used cilantro salsa .
Fritos are the perfect dipper!!
So yummy!! Thank you for the recipe!! My whole family loves it even my seven-year-old Who is so picky.
Glad you all enjoyed it Lisa!