When it comes to party food, any appetizer that has guests asking for the recipe deserves its moment in the spotlight. This year, the Allrecipes community couldn’t get enough of one spicy, cheesy, crowd‑pleasing starter: Hot Cowgirl Dip. With its melty base of cream cheese and Monterey Jack and a variety of heavy-hitting mix-ins, from chunky salsa and pickled jalapeños to fresh cilantro and scallions, this dip brings the perfect balance of heat and creaminess.
It’s also really easy to make—so we’re not surprised the recipe is our most-saved appetizer of 2025. Whether you’re hosting game day or a festive gathering, this is the appetizer everyone keeps coming back to bite after bite.
What Is Hot Cowgirl Dip?
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Move over, cowboys—cowgirl recipes are every bit as hearty, bold, and comforting. The genre of cooking pulls inspiration from ranch life and blends it with the bold flavors of Tex-Mex and Southwestern cuisines. The dishes—like this Hot Cowgirl Dip—are often made for feeding a hungry crowd (and maybe showing off a little).
To throw together Hot Cowgirl Dip, you need a combination of dairy items (shredded Monterey Jack cheese and cream cheese), fresh ingredients (chopped cilantro and sliced scallions), pantry staples (chunky tomato salsa, black beans, fire-roasted corn, green chiles, and pickled jalapeños), and your choice of toppings like chopped tomatoes, pickled red onions, or diced bacon. You’ll also reach for cornstarch to mix with the shredded cheese with cornstarch (it helps the fats and liquids bind together for a stable emulsion, yielding a smooth sauce) and stir in taco seasoning and salt for extra flavor.
How To Make the Recipe
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
To make your Hot Cowgirl Dip, start by tossing the shredded Monterey Jack cheese with a little cornstarch, then mix it with softened cream cheese, chopped cilantro, and sliced scallions until everything’s well combined. From there, stir in the black beans, fire-roasted corn, green chiles, salsa, taco seasoning, chopped pickled jalapeños, and a pinch of salt.
Spread it all in a cast iron skillet, sprinkle the reserved cheese on top, and bake until golden and bubbly at 375 degrees F, about 20 minutes. Finish it off with more cilantro, scallions, and your favorite toppings like avocado, bacon, or pickled onions for an extra pop. Serve with tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or crackers. Warning: It disappears fast, so you may want to double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd.
Praise From the Allrecipes Community
- “I made it during a big family visit. Everyone is asking for the recipe. It’s delicious. I made it exactly as directed. Delicious!” —GoofyDosa3517
- “This is a delicious ‘dip’. It could be a main course. Very good flavors and easy to make. I recommend it.” —brett penfold
- “TVery easy to make, and really flavorful. It’s a great side dish for parties and family gatherings.” —Todd Rowe
- “Very Good !! one of the best new dips that has come across the internet in quite a while – saving this one for future gatherings!!” —DICKBIRK
Get the recipe: Hot Cowgirl Dip