You like your dips creamy, cheesy, and zesty? You’re going to LOVE this Boat Dip recipe! Ranch seasoning and taco seasoning bring the flavor, while Rotel, cheese, and (optional!) black beans make it chunky and perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. No boat needed!

Overhead view of boat dip in boal


Boat dip is a viral sensation on TikTok, but unlike so many other TikTok recipes (shooting dirty looks at cottage cheese ice cream—I mean SERIOUSLY, why?), this one is something you will actually WANT to eat. 

The name apparently comes from the idea that you eat boat dip on a boat, and I can see how it would be great with a Paloma Cocktail while you’re spending a lazy afternoon floating in a lake on a pontoon, but this is also the quintessential game day dip for serving alongside snacks like Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Meatball Sliders.

Bowl of boat dip with green onions for garnish

What Is Boat Dip?

Boat dip is a variation on taco dip. Like taco dip, it has a cream cheese and sour cream base flavored with taco seasoning—but boat dip kicks things up a notch by adding ranch, too. Then instead of layering on toppings, this recipe mixes things like cheese, tomatoes, and black beans right into the dip. This allows the flavors to really meld!

Overhead view of ingredients for boat dip

Ingredients for Boat Dip

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need to make your own boat dip.

  • Cream Cheese – Of course, full-fat cream cheese is going to be your best bet, but reduced-fat will work too. Just avoid fat-free cream cheese, which is disappointing all around.
  • Sour Cream – You could use plain Greek yogurt, but in my humble opinion, this is neither the time nor the place. We’re making a cheesy taco dip! Let’s not try to work in nutrition!
  • Ranch Seasoning and Taco Seasoning – You could use homemade, or keep it simple with store-bought packets. Here’s my Taco Seasoning Mix recipe and Easy Homemade Ranch Seasoning.
  • Diced Tomatoes and Chiles – AKA Rotel.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – A Mexican blend would work too.
  • Lime – You’ll need the juice and the zest. Zest the lime first.
  • Black Beans – Optional; if you use them, be sure to rinse them and drain them well.
  • Chopped Cilantro – If you’re not a cilantro fan, you can leave it out or use thinly sliced green onions.
Overhead view of boat dip in bowl after adding mix-ins

How to Make Boat Dip

It’s dip—and that means it’s EASY. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

  1. Make the Base. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, taco seasoning until smooth.
  2. Add the Mix-Ins. Fold in the tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lime zest and juice, and black beans.
  3. Chill. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Dipping tortilla chip into boat dip

What to Serve With Boat Dip

The world is your oyster when it comes to dippers! A sturdy tortilla chip is always a good bet, but you really can’t go wrong with any of these.

  • Tortilla Chips 
  • Veggies – Those bags of mini sweet peppers would be perfect.
  • Crackers – Try these Everything Sourdough Crackers without the everything bagel seasoning.
  • Bread – Serve the dip with a spreader for slathering onto slices of baguette.
  • Pretzels – Soft pretzels would be good too, as would Easy Baked Sourdough Pretzels.
  • Pita Chips
  • Naan
Bowl of boat dip with tortilla chips in background

Boat Dip Variations

As with most dip recipes, this is one that’s easy to tweak and make your own. Here are a few of my favorite variations on the original.

  • Add jalapeños. For some extra heat, chop up some pickled jalapeños and add them to the dip.
  • Swap out the cheese. Try using pepper jack or even cotija.
  • Make it bacon-y. Add bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon to the dip. (Here’s how to cook bacon in the oven.)
  • Add in corn. Fold in some sweet corn to your boat dip for an extra pop of flavor.
Bowl of boat dip with green onions for garnish

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Bowl of boat dip with green onions for garnish

Get the Recipe: Boat Dip Recipe

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Boat dip is the ultimate party snack! This viral TikTok recipe is creamy and flavorful, with taco seasoning, ranch, cheese, and Rotel.
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounce cream cheese
  • 16 ounces sour cream
  • 1 ounce packet ranch seasoning
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes and chiles, Rotel
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained, optional
  • Chopped Cilantro, optional

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, taco seasoning. Using a hand mixer beat the mixture together until smooth.
  • Fold in the tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lime zest, juice and black beans, if using.
  • Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  • Serve cold with tortilla chips, veggies or crackers.

Notes

Boat Dip is great to make in advance. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.
Calories: 250kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 382mg, Potassium: 204mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 729IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 205mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Appetizer, dip, Snack
Cuisine: American