Having leftover dip after a party or get-together is pretty common. Rather than letting it go to waste, there are lots of creative ways to use up extra dip!
Quick Answers
Here are some quick ideas for using up leftover dip:
- Spread it on sandwiches or wraps
- Use it as a pizza sauce or pizza dip
- Add it to eggs or omelets
- Use it as a salad dressing
- Spread it on crackers or sandwiches
- Mix it into mashed potatoes or mac and cheese
- Use it as a veggie or chip dip again
- Dip chicken tenders or nuggets in it
- Spread it on grilled cheese
- Use it as a burger or hot dog topping
The possibilities are endless! The key is to think creatively about how to incorporate the flavors of the dip into other dishes.
Savory Dip Ideas
Here are some more specific ideas for using up leftover savory dips like salsa, hummus, bean dip, cheese dips, etc:
Sandwiches and Wraps
Slather extra dip on sandwiches and wraps to add flavor. Hummus, olive tapenade, artichoke dip, salsa, and spinach dip all taste great on sandwiches. Try using them instead of traditional spreads like mustard or mayo.
Salads
Savory dips double as delicious salad dressings. Toss leftover hummus, french onion dip, or greek yogurt dip with mixed greens, chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions for a tasty salad.
Burgers and Hot Dogs
Top your burgers and hot dogs with extra dip instead of ketchup and mustard. Try hummus, salsa, bean dip, guacamole, or blue cheese dip for a flavor punch.
Pizza Topping
Use leftover artichoke dip, pesto, or olive tapenade to top homemade or store-bought pizza. Simply spread it over the crust before adding other toppings.
Potatoes and Vegetables
Mix a few spoonfuls of leftover bean dip, cheese dip, caramelized onion dip, or similar into mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, or mac and cheese.
Eggs and Omelets
Stir some extra salsa, guacamole, or hummus into scrambled eggs or omelets for a flavor punch.
Chips and Crackers
It may seem obvious, but don’t forget that most savory dips can be served again with crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips, or fresh cut vegetables.
Sweet Dip Ideas
Here are creative ways to use up leftover sweet dips and sauces like chocolate, caramel, Nutella, marshmallow dip, etc:
Fruit Dip
Extra chocolate, caramel, or marshmallow dip makes a delicious fruit dip. Serve it alongside strawberries, apple slices, banana chunks, or pineapple spears.
Yogurt or Oatmeal Topping
Drizzle extra chocolate, peanut butter, or other sweet dip over yogurt, overnight oats, or regular oatmeal for a yummy breakfast.
Pancake and Waffle Topping
Top your morning pancakes or waffles with extra Nutella, chocolate hazelnut spread, or dulce de leche instead of syrup or butter.
Ice Cream and Milkshakes
Stir leftover fudge, caramel, or peanut butter dip into ice cream or milkshakes for inventive flavors.
Cupcakes and Muffins
Frost or fill baked goods like cupcakes, muffins, and cakes with extra dip.
Cookies
Sandwich cookies together with sweet dip for a quick dessert, or use it to frost sugar cookies.
Pretzels
Dip pretzels into leftover chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallow, or other sweet dip.
How Long Does Leftover Dip Last?
Here is a table with guidelines on how long different types of leftover dip will last refrigerated:
| Dip Type | Fridge Life |
|---|---|
| Salsa | 5-7 days |
| Guacamole | 3-5 days |
| Hummus | 5-7 days |
| Greek yogurt dip | 3-5 days |
| Artichoke dip | 3-5 days |
| Cheese dip | 3-5 days |
| Bean dip | 5-7 days |
| Spinach dip | 3-5 days |
| Fruit dip | 5-7 days |
| Chocolate dip | 2 weeks |
| Caramel dip | 1 month |
| Peanut butter dip | 2-3 weeks |
For best quality and food safety, use leftover dips as soon as possible within these timeframes. Discard if you see any mold or off smells or textures develop.
Storing Leftover Dip
To maximize freshness, store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure to smooth the top and press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to prevent a skin forming.
Some dips like hummus and bean dip may thicken up when chilled. You can stir in a little milk, olive oil, or broth when ready to use to thin them out again.
For longer storage, transfer dip to freezer safe containers or bags. Most dips will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Thaw frozen dip overnight in the fridge before using. The texture may be a bit grainy or separated after thawing, so stir or blend well before serving.
Food Safety Tips
When repurposing leftover dip, keep these food safety guidelines in mind:
- Don’t let dip sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours total before refrigerating.
- Never add fresh produce like cut veggies or herbs into a leftover dip, as it can introduce bacteria.
- Avoid mixing in ingredients that have already been partially used up or opened, like salsa jars or cream cheese blocks, as they may have already been contaminated.
- Make sure hands and containers are clean when portioning dip into storage containers to prevent bacteria transfer.
- Label containers with the type of dip and date before refrigerating.
- Use clean utensils each time when removing dip from the storage container.
- Discard if you see any mold, off smells, or change in texture or consistency.
Creative Serving Ideas
Along with coming up with clever ways to use up leftover dip, you can also get creative about how you serve it by:
- Hollowing out vegetables like peppers, cucumbers, or small potatoes to use as edible dip cups.
- Serving dips in grilled or crisped pita for dipping.
- Stuffing mushrooms caps with dip mixtures.
- Topping crostini or bruschetta with dip spreads.
- Filling wonton wrappers with dip and baking into crispy cups.
- Mixing dip into deviled egg filling.
Having fun serving ideas alongside more traditional crackers and chips can give your leftover dip new life!
Conclusion
With a little creativity, you can transform leftover party dip into easy, delicious meals and snacks. Simply incorporate it into sandwiches, salads, eggs, pizza, pasta, and more. Store dip safely in the fridge and freezer, and use proper food handling. Finally, get inspired with fun new ways to serve your dip creations. With these tips, you’ll look forward to having leftovers!