Fiesta Dip

This fiesta dip recipe can be mixed up at a moment’s notice because most of its ingredients are stockable in your pantry or fridge. Its has a spicy, zesty flavor that comes from Hidden Valley Fiesta dry mix blended with rich sour cream. Stir in some refried beans, canned chiles and shredded cheese, and zap it in the microwave for a few minutes. All that’s left to do to get the party started is to add chips! Recipe contributor Rhonda Cowden from Quincy, Illinois, thinks this is one of the easiest appetizer recipes for any type of get-together.

What is fiesta dip?

Fiesta dip begins with a spiced-up dry ranch dip mix. Although Hidden Valley is known for its classic ranch dip, in the 1980s the company also offered several dry-mix varieties, including smoky cheddar, toasted onion and green onion herb. Perhaps the best-loved flavor was the creamy taco dip mix, which was later renamed to “Fiesta.”

At its core, fiesta dip is that dry mix blended with sour cream and enjoyed with chips. But it’s even more delicious when it’s layered with other ingredients like refried beans and canned chiles. Then it becomes a multi-tiered snack with a ton of flavor and spice.

Fiesta Dip Ingredients

• Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream will give your dip the most body and richness, but it’s still delicious with low-fat sour cream.
• Fiesta Ranch dip mix: Despite rumors that Hidden Valley discontinued its Fiesta dip mix, it’s still available! Other brands have similarly named dry dip mixes, too.
• Refried beans: Keep this recipe quick and easy by using canned refried beans. You can add a homemade touch and choose your own spice level by making refried beans from scratch.
• Green chiles: Canned, diced green chiles are available in mild and spicy varieties. You could also add spicy diced jalapenos or smoky roasted Hatch chiles instead.
• Mexican cheese blend: Conveniently bagged shredded Mexican cheese blends typically include cheddar, Monterey Jack, asadero and sometimes taco spices. These cheeses tend to melt more smoothly when you grate them yourself.
• Toppings: The toppings you add to this fiesta dip recipe are up to you! We suggest trying sliced olives, chopped fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions and fresh shredded lettuce.
• Tortilla chips: You need tortilla chips for this dip! Make a festive presentation with an assortment of yellow, white and blue corn tortilla chips.

Directions

Step 1: Heat the first ingredients

In a shallow 1-1/2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine the sour cream, beans, chiles and dip mix. Stir in 1 cup of cheese. Cover the dip and microwave it on high for two minutes, then stir it.

Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients

Cover the dip again and microwave it for 1 minute and 30 seconds longer or until it’s heated through. Stir until the dip is blended. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, then add the olives, tomatoes, onions and lettuce, if desired. Serve the dip with tortilla chips.

Fiesta Dip Variations

• Turn it into a cold dip: Instead of blending and heating the ingredients, keep things cool. Spread alternating layers of fiesta dip, sour cream, room-temperature refried beans, shredded cheese and green chiles in a serving dish. Add the toppings and serve the cooled dip with chips.
• Add other ingredients: Try making this dip with Mexi-corn, black beans, seasoned pinto beans and Ro-Tel tomatoes with chilies.

How to Store Fiesta Dip

If there’s any fiesta dip leftover (unlikely, but you never know!), let it cool, then cover the dish tightly with food storage wrap or transfer it to a resealable container. Store the dip in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Fiesta Dip Tips

What can you serve with fiesta dip?

Our favorite way to enjoy this fiesta dip recipe is with salty, crunchy tortilla chips (any variety) or baked pita chips. Serve the dip with vegetable dippers like sliced bell peppers, cauliflower and carrots. Try serving fiesta dip as a topping for cilantro beef tacos, as a spread inside stuffed burrito recipes, or as a dip for chicken quesadillas.