Zesty Boat Dip

Boat Dip Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Use softened block cream cheese for the thickest, smoothest base. Full-fat provides the richest texture, but reduced-fat also works.
• Sour cream: Adds creaminess and tang. Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for a slightly tangier dip.
• Ranch seasoning: Adds savory, herby flavor. Homemade ranch seasoning or store-bought seasoning works.
• Taco seasoning: Gives the dip its bold Tex-Mex flavor. Seasoning blends vary in salt and heat, so taste the mixture before adding anything extra. I like using my homemade taco seasoning.
• Rotel: Use canned diced tomatoes with green chiles and drain them thoroughly so the dip does not become watery.
• Cheddar cheese: Adds sharp, cheesy flavor. A Mexican blend, Colby Jack, or pepper Jack can also be used.
• Lime: Use both the zest and juice for fresh, bright flavor. Zest the lime before juicing it.
• Black beans: Optional, but they make the dip heartier. Rinse and drain them well.
• Cilantro: Fold it into the dip or sprinkle it over the top. Sliced green onions are a good substitute.

How to Make Boat Dip

1. Drain the Rotel. Pour the tomatoes and green chiles into a fine-mesh strainer and let the excess liquid drain away.
2. Make the base. Beat the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and taco seasoning with a hand mixer until completely smooth.
3. Add the mix-ins. Fold in the drained Rotel, cheddar, lime zest, lime juice, and black beans, if using.
4. Chill the dip. Cover and refrigerate for at least [confirmed chill time], or until cold, thick, and scoopable.
5. Garnish and serve. Top with chopped cilantro or sliced green onions and serve cold with sturdy tortilla chips.

What to Serve With Boat Dip

Boat Dip is thick and creamy, so serve it with sturdy dippers that will not break easily.

• Tortilla Chips  – I love my Homemade 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 or crostini.
• Pretzels – Soft pretzels would be good too, as would Easy Baked Sourdough Pretzels.
• Pita Chips – Make sure to buy hearty pita chips and not thin pita chips.
• Naan – A tender bread, it is amazing with this dip.

Leftover Boat Dip also makes a flavorful topping for tacos, burgers, baked potatoes, nachos, and taco salads.

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.

• Make it Spicy. For some extra heat, chop up some pickled jalapeños and add them to the dip.
• Make it bacon-y. Fold in about ½ cup of crisp crumbled bacon. (Here’s how to cook bacon in the oven.)
• Add in corn. Stir in ½–1 cup of well-drained corn for sweetness and texture.
• Change the cheese: Substitute pepper Jack, Colby Jack, a Mexican cheese blend, or crumbled cotija.
• Add more toppings: Try sliced green onions, black olives, chopped cilantro, or extra shredded cheese.
• Make it heartier: Add cooked, cooled, and well-drained ground beef, sausage, or shredded chicken.
• Lighten the base: Substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the sour cream.
• Drain wet additions thoroughly so the dip stays thick and scoopable.