Need a fast dip recipe that’s perfect for parties and game day? This Crack Dip is what you need, with only 6 ingredients and ready in about 20 minutes. A creamy, cheesy dip loaded with bacon and cheddar cheese that can be served hot or cold. Cowboy Crack Dip is always the first to go at any party, so grab your chips and make it now!
One Reader Said: “Wow!! Just wow!! So easy and so delicious. Can’t wait to make it again!!”
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When I entertain, I want a few recipes that I know are slam-dunk winners every single time – this is one of those recipes! Because who doesn’t love a creamy dip full of ranch flavor, cheddar cheese, and bacon? Swoon!
It’s even better when it’s super simple like this one! I’ll show you variations that change it up, making it new and exciting even if you make this weekly (no judgement here). Plus, we can make it healthier by making a quick homemade Ranch dressing mix.
I love that you can serve this dip cold or hot and gooey, making it a year-round favorite. I’ve tried many dip recipes over the years, but Cowboy Ranch Dip always stands out. So, the next time you want to be the party superhero, whip up this easy 6-ingredient dip. You won’t be disappointed!
Why you will love this Crack Dip Recipe
- Quick & Easy | Takes less than 20 minutes, easy recipe. Can be made last-minute for to a family dinner or office potluck.
- Party Staple | This Texas crack dip is sure to be devoured! Because bacon and cheese, a favorite recipe!
- Customizable | With a simple ingredient list my cowboy crack dip recipe will become one of your favorite dips, plus it’s easy to customize it to your tastes.
Wow!! Just wow!! So easy and so delicious. Can’t wait to make it again!!!!
Patty
Crack dip with a twist
- No-Mayo Recipe – Many crack dip recipes are made with mayonnaise; mine is not, making it lower in calories and a low-carb dip.
- Gluten-free – This recipe is entirely gluten-free! Read all your ingredient labels to be safe though!
- Healthier – For a healthier version of this dip, substitute low-fat or fat-free sour cream and cream cheese. You can also use turkey bacon.
Cheddar Ranch Crack Dip Ingredients
- Cream cheese and sour cream – Cream cheese and sour cream create the creamy and tangy base for this irresistible creamy dip recipe.
- Ranch dressing mix spices – Ranch dressing seasoning brings incredible flavor to the cowboy crack dip. Personally, I like to make my own since it doesn’t have MSG in it, but you may buy the packets from your local grocery store or create your own homemade spice mix using the ingredients and directions below. I love this Organic Ranch Mix.
- Shallot – Diced shallots add a little sweet, aromatic hint o’ garlic flavor to the dip! If you don’t have a shallot, substitute a little onion powder, or a clove of garlic, or a little sweet onion, finely minced.
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese is the perfect flavorful ingredient for this cowboy crack. Or your fave Mexican cheese blend.
- Bacon – I recommend frying some fresh bacon slices for the most authentic and tasty flavor. But you can also use a pack of real bacon bits instead. For a healthier alternative, you can use turkey bacon.
- Homemade Ranch Mix
- Avoid the packet and make your own! In a small bowl, mix all the tasty ingredients together. Place it in an airtight container so you can use it whenever needed. You’ll need the following ingredients in the portions listed on the recipe card below:
- Buttermilk powder, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Dried parsley, Dried dill weed, Dried chives, Dried tarragon, Sea salt, Ground black pepper
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to make Cowboy Crack Dip
- You’ll need to gather a couple of pieces of equipment — a medium bowl and a hand mixer. You may use a stand mixer if you have one. Mix cream cheese and sour cream until you have a smooth texture.
2. Add the crisp bacon, ranch seasoning, diced shallot, and shredded cheddar cheese and mix with a wooden spoon until everything is well combined.
3. Place the crack dip in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop and meld together nicely.
And that’s it! If desired, all that’s left is to top with more grated cheese and bacon bits and maybe some chopped fresh chives or green onions.
Cowboy Dip Recipe Tips
- Before beginning this recipe, remember to allow your cream cheese to soften at room temperature. To speed the process, cut cream cheese into cubes.
- For the best flavor, skip the store-bought option and make your own bacon bits by cooking bacon strips and crumbling them into small pieces. Freshly fried bacon always makes a big difference.
- This dip is best when it’s allowed to “marinate” in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Allow it to chill for up to 24 hours for an extra tasty crack dip.
- If you prefer a thinner dip, you may add ½ cup of half and half or milk to the mixture.
Cowboy Crack Dip Recipe Variations
This dip recipe is perfect for personalizing and making your own. Here are some tasty ideas to get you started:
- Swap the cheddar cheese for other flavorful cheeses, like Swiss, Parmesan or Gruyere. For a smokier flavor, use smoked cheddar cheese.
- Pour in 1-2 cans of Mexi-corn or sweet corn to the dip for a sweet and crisp addition, drained.
- Turn up the heat with a can of diced jalapeños, a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
- Swap the ranch dip for taco seasoning, or add up to a teaspoon in addition to the ranch dip.
- Add some chopped green onions or chives for a bit of color and extra flavor.
- Try serving this dip with pretzels instead of chips or crackers.
- Add in chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or chives, for some vibrant color and flavor.
- If you want a creamier dip, add in an extra ¼ cup of sour cream or for thinner, a little milk or cream.
- Add shredded chicken breasts, crab meat, spicy sausage, or other meat — try my 3 ingredient Sausage Dip!
- Double the recipe to serve it to a larger crowd.
Cowboy Dip with Sausage
Instead of using bacon, brown and crumble your favorite breakfast sausage or chorizo, drain well and cool completely before mixing in if serving cold. If warming the dip, you may mix it right in. Similar to this Sausage dip that is so addictive!
How to serve Cowboy Crack Dip
Garnish
I suggest sprinkling some extra shredded cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles on top of the dip before serving. You may also add some chopped green onions or even a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce —YUM!
Warm Crack Dip
If you want to make this dip into a hot dip, then simply make the dip, spread into a 2 quart casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Top with fresh green onions and a little shredded cheddar. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips and watch people go crazy!
How to store Crack Dip
Refrigerator | It would be a miracle if you have leftovers! Store in an airtight container up to 2-3 days, best eaten within first 24 hours.
Freeze | If you happen to have leftover dip, freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container. And since it will change the texture slightly, I suggest allowing to thaw overnight in the fridge, then transferring to a baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 400° F (205° C) for about 15-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Cowboy Dip Recipe FAQs
This crack dip recipe is very easy to make! It only takes a few minutes to mix all the ingredients together, and then you just need to let it chill in the fridge for an hour before serving. That’s it! It’s really that simple.
Cowboy crack dip is creamy and full of flavor! The cheddar cheese and bacon bits give it a delicious savory taste, while the ranch dressing mix adds a touch of freshness. The shallot provides the dip with a slight onion flavor, while the cream cheese and sour cream make it smooth and creamy. The overall texture of the dip is thick and creamy.
Crack dip is made of cream cheese, sour cream, shallot, ranch dressing, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and seasonings. Some recipes use mayonnaise, mind does not.
Yes, you can make this dip up to 24 hours in advance. Simply store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it up! It makes for easier prep for any upcoming holiday party.
What should I serve with this dip?
Honestly, the possibilities are endless! Check out these few ideas:
- Potato chips
- Pretzel sticks or pretzel thins
- Pita chips
- Favorite Crackers, yummy with a buttery Ritz cracker
- Tortilla chips
- Fritos
- Bell pepper slices
- Celery and Carrot sticks or carrot chips
- Jicama sticks
Best drinks to serve with cowboy dip
Browse all of my drink recipes for some inspiration, below are a few of my favorite drinks!
Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe
This fun drink is the best Thanksgiving punch! Pomegranate cocktail has pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice and a splash of chilled club soda to make it all sparkle! A vodka punch recipe that is easily adapted to be non-alcoholic!
Easy Classic Irish Coffee Recipe (4 ingredients)
This easy Irish coffee recipe is a classic Irish coffee cocktail that is ideal for chilly nights. It is a delightful blend of coffee, whiskey, sugar, and cream, perfect for warming you up on a cold night or adding a touch of sophistication to your after-dinner drink.
Easy Cranberry Spritzer (by the glass or pitcher)
Blueberry Gin Fizz Cocktail (Empress Gin Cocktail)
Learn how to make this gorgeous Blueberry Gin Cocktail or Empress Gin Cocktail—layered with blueberry syrup, spicy ginger beer, and purple Empress gin. Plus I’ll show you how to do the “float” process.
More delicious dip recipes
- Best Crudite Dip Recipe for Veggie Platters
- Easy Beer Cheese Dip
- Mediterranean Layered Dip
- Goat Cheese Log with Hot Honey, Fig and Pistachios
- Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon & Dates
- White Mexican Cheese Dip
One of the most crucial steps to this super simple recipe is to allow the dip to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This gives it time for the flavors to really develop.
I hope you loved this Cowboy crack dip — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened, reg or low fat
- 1 ½ cups sour cream regular or lower fat
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix (see notes for how to make your own)
- 1 small shallot diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, see notes for other cheeses
- 3-4 slices bacon thick cut, cooked crisp or use bacon bits
Instructions
- In a medium bowl with a hand, mixer beat the cream cheese and sour cream until you have a smooth texture.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or on low speed until everything is well combined.
- Place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving, this will allow the flavor to develop.
- Garnish with additional bacon bits, shredded cheese and some diced green onions or chives.
- Serve with your favorite dipping chips or veggies.
Notes
- If you are serving this dip to a large crowd, you may want to double the recipe.
- Add up to 2 cans of Mexi-corn or sweet corn to the dip.
- For a spicier dip, add a can of diced jalapeños.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked cheddar cheese.
- Add in some chopped green onions for a little bit of color and extra flavor.
- Try serving this dip with pretzels instead of chips or crackers.
- If you want a really cheesy dip, use two types of cheese. One type can be a strong-flavored cheese, such as cheddar, while the other can be milder cheese, such as Swiss.
- For a healthier version of this dip, substitute low-fat or fat-free sour cream, and cream cheese. You can also use turkey bacon to reduce the fat content.
- Add in some chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley or chives, for a pop of color and flavor.
- If you want a creamier dip, add in an extra ¼ cup of sour cream or milk or half and half for a thinner dip.
- ¼ cup buttermilk powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Nutrition
Elaine
Made this for New Year’s Eve 2024 and EVERYONE commented on it. I refilled 3 times. What a meld of great flavor. My new go-to appetizer!!!!
Wahoo!! I love it when a recipe becomes a topic of conversation! Thanks so much, Elaine!
Lynn B Spencer
I used your ranch dressing recipe to make this oh-so-yummy dip last weekend for our houseguests, and it disappeared so quickly!
A double yay on that one! Thank you so much, Lynn!
Kelly
Hi Kathleen! I made the ranch dip mix, but what do I combine it with to make a dip (sour cream, etc)? Thank you! Excited to Make the Cowboy Dip today!
Hi Kelly, the full recipe is in the card, I’ll try and get to my computer soon and send that over to you n
Jules
The title is absolutely spot on! This stuff is amazing!
Thank you so much, Julie, so glad you loved it!
Sam
Can’t wait to get it made
Hope you love it Sam!
Patty
Wow!! Just wow!! So easy and so delicious. Can’t wait to make it again!
Yay! Thanks Patty!!
Michelle
This is so good! My family loves it while we watch the game!
Perfect or game day!
Diana Reis
I’m going to bring this to Thanksgiving. I love this dip so much. It’s creamy and served with ritz cracker. Pretty much a dream.
Wonderful Diana, thank you so much!
Kali Alexandria
This is the best dip recipe for your next social gathering! Highly recommend!
Thanks so much Kali!
Nancy
Delicious and creamy cream cheese dip. Perfect for game night and in general when I’m feeling snacky
Yes! So good for anytime!
Mirlene
I made this again and the family really loved this. Served these with crackers and veggies.
So glad the whole family loves it!
MacKenzie
I made this last weekend for the Sunday football games. My guests loved it. I served it warm with tortilla chips. This dip is super addicting and tasty.
Perfect with warm tortilla chips!!
Chenée
I can’t wait to try this — it looks like the perfect holiday dip. Definitely gonna be a hit as a Thanksgiving appetizer!
Yes it will be perfect!!
Mirlene
Loved the hot version of this. It was ooey and cheesy which was the perfect dip for the party!
Yay, love hearing that!!
Anjali
This dip was so creamy and delicious! We served it to our kids as a snack with some fresh veggies for dipping and they loved it!
Yay! And you feel good about it too!