Dips make delicious condiments, snacks and party foods, as well as providing a fun way to enjoy carrots, celery and other veggies. From indulgent nacho cheese dips for film night, to fresh houmous, tzatziki and baba ganoush to satisfy snack cravings.
With so many dips to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one you fancy. That's why we've created this guide to the best dips in the UK, paired with a ranking of our top ten favourites from Tesco, Asda and Waitrose that'll soon have you double-dipping those chips. What a scoop!
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
Key Points to Consider
When it comes to shopping for dips, there's a whole world of tastes and flavours to explore. Many of the dips we know and love come from the region stretching from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Middle East, such as baba ganoush, tzatziki, aioli and, of course, houmous!
Prefer the tastes and flavours of Tex-Mex? Guacamole, salsa and nacho cheese dip are popular choices that work well when served with chips, crisps, bread and various Mexican dishes.
Alongside these classic dips are exciting new combinations, some blending beetroot and yoghurt made with spices like sumac, for a zesty and colourful alternative. If you don't know which one to choose, or you're making a platter to share, opt for a dip trio or multipack to experience a range of flavours.
Dips can be healthy as well as tasty, providing you're mindful of the ingredients. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired dips are often made from a range of vegetables, herbs and aromatic spices. For example, baba ganoush is made primarily from aubergine and tahini, whilst houmous has a base of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon and olive oil.
Tzatziki is a fresh and somewhat sophisticated Greek dip, which consists of diluted yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon and dill. On the other hand, Tex-Mex style dips, such as guacamole and salsa, include avocado, tomato, jalapeno, garlic, onion, lime and coriander.
Opting for a healthier dip certainly doesn't mean sacrificing flavour. For a dip with a punch, aioli is similar to garlic mayonnaise and can be made with lemon, mustard, olive oil, and egg yolk, for a taste that's fabulous with crusty bread!
With many dips being made primarily from vegetables such as tomato, avocado and aubergine, they have the potential to be a little deceiving in terms of nutritional value. Vegetable-based dips often still contain salt, sugar, or both, so always check the nutritional information to make sure your dip is as healthy as it seems.
It's important to keep an eye on our intake of fat, salt, and sugar which, in excess, can put us at greater risk of health issues such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Reducing salt intake can help to lower blood pressure, and less sugar in your diet has many benefits such as improved mood and energy levels.
Some dips are made with ingredients that are high in saturated fat and calories, such as cream or cheese such as nacho cheese dip, sour cream, and chive dip, or guacamole. The recommended intake of saturated fat for men is no more than 30 g, and only 20 g for women, so you'll need to be mindful of how much you eat.
Vegan, gluten-free or vegetarian, there is a dip to cater to everyone's tastes, preferences and dietary needs. Baba ganoush, houmous and salsa are just some of the dips that are totally plant-based and gluten-free. Houmous even comes in a very wide range of delicious flavours, such as sweet chilli, Moroccan-style and caramelised onion.
Tzatziki, aioli, guacamole and nacho cheese dip are all suitable for vegetarians, but those who don't eat eggs may want to avoid aioli, which almost always contains egg yolk. Authentic guacamole is vegan, but always check the ingredients list as some supermarket versions add cream.
£2.50
In at the top spot we've chosen the Jalapeno & Red Pepper Guacamole by Holy Moly. One of two Holy Moly offerings in our top 3, we love their use of local Mexican ingredients in their fresh, authentic guac and salsa recipes.
As if guacamole isn't yummy enough already, this dip takes it to the next level with racy jalapeno chilli, red onion and red pepper. This guac is also dairy, gluten and sugar free, and made without any preservatives for a homemade taste!
£1.60
What would a list on dips be without houmous? With so many delicious options available, it was hard to choose, but in the end, this Moroccan Style Houmous by Waitrose trumped them all with its subtly sweet, smoky, and spiced flavours!
Made from a blend of chickpeas, tahini and garlic, with aromatic herbs and spices, including red chilli, cumin and paprika, it makes for a tempting snack when paired with crisps, bread or crackers. A delightful dip that's sure to be loved by everyone.
£2.50
There's no doubt about it, salsa is one of the best dips out there! For an exciting variation on the theme, Holy Moly's Tomato & Mango Salsa is sure to excite your tastebuds. Made from a heavenly blend of juicy tomatoes, sweet mango and roasted red peppers, you won't be able to get enough of this sweet and tangy dip.
You won't find any additives or preservatives here either, just 100% natural ingredients. It's also totally vegan, so you can share it with your plant-based friends.
£1.40
If you're looking for a versatile dip that tastes great with pretty much anything, look no further than this sour cream and chive dip from Waitrose. Whether you like to dollop it on baked potatoes, buffalo chicken, or as a dip for warmed pitta bread, it won't disappoint!
Made from soured cream, mayonnaise and chives, unsurprisingly, this delicious dip is highly rated. Tangy, yummy, and ideal with all kinds of snacks, it's a taste of dipping heaven.
£1.10
Traditional aioli was born from the combination of olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, which are classic ingredients from the Provence and Languedoc regions of France. However, if you're looking for aioli in supermarkets, you're most likely to find a version that's made with mayonnaise.
Tesco's Aioli is indeed made using a rich mayonnaise combined with roasted garlic puree and lemon juice. Although, it certainly has that wonderful taste of holidays in the Mediterranean. Fabulous with salad, grilled meat, fish, or eaten with breadsticks. Yum!
£1.60
Waitrose's range of dips are some of the best out there, and their Tzatziki is fresh, healthy and authentic tasting. Made from just a few natural ingredients, including Greek-style yoghurt, cucumber, mint, lemon juice and garlic, it's gorgeous with olives, good-quality bread, or as part of an appetiser served with drinks.
Tzatziki is always best when it's freshly made, so it can be hard to find a supermarket version that is as good as the real thing. That said, this one does a really good job, all without any preservatives or added nasties.
£1.60
If a Tex-Mex feast is what you fancy, Waitrose's Tex Mex Dip Trio is a must-buy! Including a vine-ripened tomato salsa, traditional guacamole, and a sour cream and chive dip, it's everything you need for enchiladas, burritos, nachos, or to simply enjoy with tortilla chips.
At around the same price as just one dip, this trio provides good value for a get-together. However, it's not the best option if you don't think it'll all get eaten in one sitting, as once the plastic film lid is open, it can't be resealed.
£2.00
For an exciting dip that combines Middle Eastern flavours, why not try this beetroot, yoghurt and sumac dip? Gorgeously colourful and zesty, raw beetroot is blended with sumac, cumin, cardamom and coriander for a dip you can dollop at dinner or serve as part of a meze.
Inspired by an Egyptian recipe, beetroot and yoghurt dip is popular in the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East, making for a healthy and tasty appetiser. It's not as popular as houmous or tzatziki, however, as not everyone will want something that tastes as complex and unusual as this.
£2.00
Baba Ganoush makes for a great addition to any meze platter or Middle Eastern appetiser. Blended with garlic and parsley, this offering from Sabra will allow you to sample the fabulously smoky, nutty flavours of aubergine and tahini.
That said, this dip is a lighter-tasting version of fresh baba ganoush, and could do with being ever so slightly richer. Sabra's version of the classic also has some preservatives, stabilisers, and modified starch, which feels a little unnecessary.
£1.20
Planning a film night or putting together a Tex-Mex platter of fun? Fiesta Mesa's Nacho Cheese Dip tastes almost as indulgent as the nacho dip you'll find at the cinema, with the benefit of being able to enjoy it in your own living room!
A scrumptious dip in itself, you can also warm it in a pan and add extra grated cheese for a super tasty nacho sauce. But, as you may have guessed, this isn't the healthiest dip and is best reserved for party nights, or as a treat.
Learn how to make this delicious dip!
The ingredients that you need are:
Watch the full video to check out more ingredients required!
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
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