This creamy Million Dollar Dip is packed with flavor with luscious cream cheese, crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, savory garlic, and spicy cayenne, with slivered almonds and chopped green onions too! It's the perfect appetizer to WOW your party guests, and it only takes 10 minutes to make!
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Million Dollar Dip tastes so incredible, it's hard to believe it's so easy to make. It's the perfect crowd-pleasing party recipe!
This dip also goes by the name "Neiman Marcus Dip" as the original recipe was created at the Neiman Marcus restaurant in Texas by Helen Corbitt in the 1950s. The recipe appears in her cookbook and is considered a classic dip for the holiday season. I'm not sure when the name "Million Dollar Dip" started being used, but it's a popular name for it and what we know it by.
With the perfect blend of nutty, smoky, fresh, savory, and cheesy flavors, this million dollar dip recipe is always a huge hit when I make it.
Ready in just 10 minutes, it's perfect for last-minute party prep and can even be prepped in advance to give you more time to enjoy your company.
For more crowd-pleasing dip ideas, check out my Jalapeno Popper Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, 7 Layer Dip, and Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Change up the flavor by using your favorite cheeses, spices, or garnishes!
- It's made with a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.
- This super easy dip recipe is perfect for any occasion, from after-school snacking and movie nights to birthday parties and game days!
What You'll Need
Scroll to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and complete instructions.
- Mayonnaise - Use full-fat, real mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Sour Cream - Adds creamy texture and a tanginess that works so well with the other flavors.
- Bacon - Cook your own bacon and chop it for crunchy bacon bits if you can, or you can use the shelf-stable ones that come in a bottle you can find in the salad dressing aisle.
- Almonds - Use slivered almonds to add some crunch and nutty flavor here. The original recipe uses them as they are but you can toast them if you wish.
- Cheese - Shredded cheddar cheese adds a great cheesy flavor, texture, and substance to this dip to make it hearty.
- Green Onions - Freshly sliced green onions add a sharp, fresh flavor to the dip.
- Garlic - Use garlic powder for a strong savory flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper - Adds just a bit of kick to the dip. You can omit it or add more, depending on your preference.
- Ritz Crackers - They're great for serving, as they are pretty hardy and can scoop this thick dip really well.
- Ground Cumin - This is an optional addition but adds a big punch of flavor!
How to Make This Recipe
- Combine mayo and sour cream. Take a medium mixing bowl and combine mayonnaise and sour cream.
- Whisk until smooth. Mix them thoroughly with a whisk until they are well-blended.
- Add other ingredients. Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese, slivered almonds, and chopped green onions, and continue mixing until everything is evenly coated.
- Add bacon. Lastly, add the crispy bacon bits to the mix and stir to fully mix in.
- Cover and chill. Once mixed, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for approximately 2 to 3 hours until you are ready to serve.
- Serve. Prior to serving, transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. Serve it chilled alongside Ritz crackers or any other crunchy sides that you prefer.
Recipe FAQ's
To store leftover dip, cover the serving dish in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving it. Doing this will help the flavors intensify and meld together even more!
As we'll be using mayonnaise in this dip, I don't recommend freezing it. As it only takes 10 minutes of hands-on time, it's best to make it the day before or on the day you need it.
Tips for Success
- Shred your own cheese if you can. Pre-shredded cheese tends to be coated in a floury substance that takes away from the flavor and texture intended for freshly shredded cheese.
- For an even tastier dip, consider toasting the slivered almonds. Simply toss them in a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn slightly golden. Allow them to cool before mixing them into the dip.
- Don't forget to garnish! Keep aside a portion of the cheddar cheese, green onions, almonds, and bacon for garnishing the dip just before serving.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Dip?
This is a fairly hearty dip, filled with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions, so you want some sturdy finger foods to dip and scoop the goodness up!
Veggies: Try veggies like celery sticks, sliced bell peppers, cucumber sticks, or carrot sticks.
Snacks: Your favorite crackers, like Ritz crackers, would work well, as would tortilla chips, potato chips, pretzel twists, and pita bread.
Appetizers: Try some of my delicious appetizer recipes that are great for dipping too! These Crispy Homemade Onion Rings, Crispy Loaded Potato Skins, and Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes would work well.
On the side: Serve this dip with other appetizers that are great for snacking too, like my Pretzel Dogs, Orange Glazed Chicken Wings, Hush Puppies, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, and these Easy Sausage Balls.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use real bacon bits. Real bacon bits will taste so much better than bacon bits that you can get at the grocery store. You can make the bacon bits ahead of time and keep them for when you need them. Try my Candied Crispy Bacon recipe for a sweeter twist or this Oven Baked Bacon for classic bacon bits.
- Change the cheese. Other types of cheeses will work well too. Try shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese for a milder flavor. Pepper Jack cheese or a Mexican cheese mix will give your dip an extra kick. Mozzarella cheese will give you a milder flavor. You could also use a combination of cheddar cheese and another cheese if you like.
- Sour cream substitution. This dip offers a creamy texture due to the inclusion of mayonnaise and sour cream. Alternatively, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Add cream cheese. For an even creamier option, consider adding softened cream cheese, which adds a delicious twist.
- Add some spice. If you prefer a spicier version, you can include chopped jalapenos, smoked paprika, or a sprinkle of ground black pepper.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
- Maryland Hot Crab Dip
- Philly Cheesesteak Dip
- Hot Ruben Dip
- Smoked Salmon Dip
- Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Appetizers
Philly Cheesesteak Dip
Appetizers
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Dip
Cuisine
Easy Refried Bean Dip
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Million Dollar Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 8-10 slices)
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Ritz crackers for serving
Instructions
- Take a medium mixing bowl and combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix them thoroughly until they are well-blended. Next, add all the remaining ingredients and continue mixing until everything is evenly coated.
- Once mixed, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for approximately 2 to 3 hours until you are ready to serve. Prior to serving, transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. Serve it chilled alongside Ritz crackers or any other crunchy sides that you prefer.
Notes
- Storage: To store leftover dip, cover the serving dish in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving it. Doing this will help the flavors intensify and meld together even more, and it is best served chilled.
- Freezing: Please note that this dip is not suitable for freezing.
This recipe looks very tasty and appears to be "Keto" friendly. Can you tell me what the serving size is? Thanks....I enjoy so many of your recipes!
I would say a serving is about 1/2 cup (the recipe makes about 4 cups of dip). I hope you like it!