A staple for your game day spread is a delicious dip! In case you need some inspiration, we have rounded up a few of our favorite, chef-approved recipes for you to try at home. From traditional guacamole, a sunflower romesco dip served alongside pita chips, to a warm, gooey kale and artichoke fondue, we hope you’ll try these at home.

Tator Tots from Bub city with blue cheese dip and buffalo sauce

Bub City’s Blue Cheese Dip, served on top of Tots, don’t forget to add the buffalo sauce. For the full Blue Cheese Dip recipe, click here.

Make a reservation at Bub City – River North. Make a reservation at Bub City – Rosemont. 

El Segundo Sol Guacamole

Tableside Guacamole inspired by El Segundo Sol – For the full Tableside Guacamole recipe, click here.

Would you rather visit El Segundo Sol’s guacamole station IRL? Make a reservation at El Segundo Sol.

king crab dip at oyster bah

Quality Crab & Oyster Bah’s Crab Dip – For the full Crab Dip recipe, click here.

Make a reservation at Quality Crab & Oyster Bah. 

Three dips from Ema

Ema’s Avocado and Sweet Pea Spread – For the full Avocado and Sweet Pea Spread, click here.

Make a reservation at Ema. 

Wildfire Kale and Artichoke Dip

Wildfire’s Kale and Artichoke Fondue – For the full Kale and Artichoke recipe, click here.

Make a reservation at the Wildfire- Tysons. 

Bub City’s Blue Cheese Dip

INGREDIENTS
1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup buttermilk
¼ teaspoons red wine vinegar
¼ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
A couple of dashes hot sauce
¼ cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for serving
Tater Tots and Buffalo sauce, for serving

METHOD
1. In a stand mixer, combine the blue cheese and sour cream and mix to combine.
2. Add in the mayonnaise to combine, then mix in the buttermilk.
3. Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.
4. Fold in remaining blue cheese crumbles.
5. Serve blue cheese dip drizzled on or alongside tater tots, chicken wings or waffle fries with a side of buffalo sauce.

 

El Segundo Sol’s Tableside Guacamole

Serves 2-3

INGREDIENTS
1 serrano pepper, with seeds
1 white onion, minced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
14 salt
2 avocados
1 lime, juiced
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
6 pcs orange segments (optional)

METHOD
1. In a clean bowl, add the serrano pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and lime juice.
2.Using a spoon, mash all of these ingredients together and allow to macerate.
3.Using a serrated knife, slice the avocado in half and remove the pit. Slice the avocado in the peel into large chunks. Scoop the avocado out of the peel and add to the bowl.
4. Stir everything together and mash the ingredients together for 20 seconds or so, it should be fairly chunky.
5. Finish by adding tomatoes, cilantro, and oranges if desired.

 

Quality Crab & Oyster Bah’s Crab Dip

Serves 8-10 

INGREDIENTS

16 oz Blue Crab Meat (Quality Crab & Oyster Bah uses Fresh Backfin meat but Canned will do)
6 oz mayo
4 oz parsley (chopped)
1 12 lbs cream cheese
1 12 oz shallots ( minced )
1 12 teaspoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
12 teaspoon salt
2 lemons zest and juice

METHOD
1. Whip cream cheese in a mixer until soft.
2. Scrape cream cheese from the sides of the mixer.
3. Zest and juice lemons and put to the side.
4. Chop parsley and minced shallots.
5. Add all ingredients into the mixer until well incorporated.
6. Preheat oven to 450 F
7. Put crab dip mixture in a shallow baking dish (no more than 1 inch deep)
8. Cook for 6 – 7 minutes or until golden brown. Pairs well with toasted bread, celery sticks, and saltines.

 

Stella Barra’s Sunflower Romesco Dip

Serves 4-5 \

INGREDIENTS
3 red bell peppers, stem and seeds removed
4 Roma tomatoes, cut in half
4 garlic cloves
1 Fresno chili stemmed
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 fresh thyme sprig
12 cup sherry vinegar
12 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon kosher salt

METHOD
1.Preheat oven to 350
2. Put everything but the sunflower seeds and salt in a deep roasting pan and cover with foil.
3. Bake for 45 minutes covered. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes
4. Transfer the roasted herbs, vegetables, and liquid to a large mixing bowl.
5. Add salt and sunflower seeds and blend using immersion stick blender until it turns to a smooth paste.
6. Serve with baked pita chips

 

Ema’s Avocado & Sweet Pea Spread

INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Frozen Peas, blanched for 5 minutes
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Mint, chopped
1 tsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
4 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Parsley, chopped
½ Jalapeno, no stems or seeds
1 Avocado
Assorted Vegetables

METHOD
1. Puree the blanched peas, mint, garlic, sugar, parsley and a touch of olive oil until almost smooth (leave a little chunky)
2. Add Avocado
3. Adjust seasoning with lemon, olive oil and salt
4. Serve alongside vegetable crudite

 

Wildfire’s Kale & Artichoke Fondue

Serves 8-10 

INGREDIENTS
1 lb Fresh Lacinato Kale leaves, stem free, washed, cut into 1” slices
3 qts Water
1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 ½ tablespoon Unsalted butter
1 small sized onion Minced onions
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp Kosher Salt
¼ cup Flour
2 ¼ cups Whole milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shredded Asiago cheese
1 cup Sour cream
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups Canned artichoke hearts, rough chopped
1 cup Shredded Asiago
1 cup Chips or veggies of your choice for dipping

METHOD
1. In a large saucepot, bring water and salt to a boil. Add kale and blanch for 30 seconds. Drain in colander and drop kale in ice water to cool completely for 3-4 minutes.
2. Drain kale again in a colander and squeeze excess water out of kale and rough chop. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepot, melt butter; add onion and garlic and sauté over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes.
4. Turn down the heat on pot slightly and add salt, then flour and constantly stir for 3-4 minutes more.
5. Whisk in milk and cook for another 3-4 minutes until thickened.
6. Then add all remaining ingredients and cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Remove from heat, transfer to a small serving bowl, and cool down mixture as quickly as possible.
8.Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
9. Transfer fondue mixture into a 2-quart ovenproof casserole dish.
10. Place in hot oven and bake for 15 minutes.
11. Take out and top with Asiago cheese and return to oven for 5-7 more minutes, or until bubbling.
12. Serve with chips or veggies of your choice for dipping and enjoy!