Million dollar dip is a cold, creamy party dip made with mayonnaise, shredded cheddar, green onions, real bacon bits, and slivered almonds. It takes 10 minutes to prepare and needs at least 2 hours in the refrigerator before serving. The cheddar and bacon bring plenty of savory flavor, while the almonds keep each scoop pleasantly crunchy.
This batch makes about 4 cups, or 16 servings of ¼ cup each. Set it out with round Ritz crackers, sturdy pretzel crisps, or crisp vegetables. For a snack-table lineup with both warm and cold choices, browse my Easy Game Day Dips.
The ingredient list is short; the refrigerator does the waiting. Plan for the chill before guests arrive, and you'll have one less thing competing for oven space.
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Ingredients You'll Need
You'll need five ingredients for the dip; crackers are for serving. The full quantities are in the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that holds everything together.
- Cheddar cheese: Use sharp or mild cheddar, shredded. Shred a block if that's what you have.
- Green onions: Trim the roots and thinly slice both the white and green portions.
- Real bacon bits: A convenient shortcut; cooked, cooled, finely chopped bacon works too.
- Slivered almonds: Narrow slivers give the dip its signature crunch.
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Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Sharp or mild cheddar, cooled chopped bacon, and a few nut alternatives all work within this recipe.
- Cheddar: Sharp cheddar gives a more pronounced cheese flavor; mild cheddar keeps it gentler.
- Bacon: Replace the real bacon bits with cooked, cooled bacon chopped finely. Add it only after it has cooled.
- Nuts: Sliced almonds or chopped pecans can replace the slivered almonds. You can omit the nuts if needed; the dip will have less crunch.
- Optional toasting: Stir almonds frequently in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until lightly golden. Cool completely before adding. This optional step adds cooking time beyond the no-cook base recipe.
Tools That Make It Easier
I use these tools when I make million dollar dip: measuring cups, a medium mixing bowl, a mixing spoon or spatula, a chef's knife and cutting board, a cover or plastic wrap, a serving bowl, a small serving spoon for delicate crackers, and an airtight storage container. A cheese grater is useful if you're shredding a block of cheddar; a dry skillet is optional for toasting the almonds.
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Buy Now → How To Make Million Dollar Dip
Prepare the onions and cheese, fold everything together, chill for at least 2 hours, then stir and serve.
Step 1: Prep the onions and cheddar. Trim the root ends and thinly slice the white and green portions of the onions. Shred the cheddar if using a block of cheese.
Step 2: Fold the dip together. Place the mayonnaise in a medium mixing bowl and fold in the cheddar, green onions, real bacon bits, and slivered almonds. Keep folding until the add-ins are evenly distributed through the creamy base.
Step 3: Cover and chill. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This is waiting time, so allow for it even though the dip needs no cooking.
Step 4: Stir and serve. Stir the chilled dip, transfer it to a serving bowl, and arrange crackers alongside. Use a small spoon to spread a scoop onto delicate crackers rather than pushing them through the thick dip.
Tips for a Creamy Dip with Plenty of Crunch
Small pieces and even folding make it easier to get cheese, bacon, onion, and almond in each scoop.
- Slice the onions thinly: Thin rings distribute more evenly than large chunks, including the firmer white portions.
- Cool optional cooked ingredients: Let toasted almonds and cooked bacon cool completely before they go into the mayonnaise.
- Keep crackers separate: Arrange them alongside the dip at serving time so they stay crisp.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Refrigerate million dollar dip in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, and stir before serving. Freezing is not recommended: the mayonnaise can separate, leaving the dip watery after thawing.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Prepare the dip up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it, covered. For more almond crunch, hold the almonds back and stir them in shortly before serving; the mayonnaise, cheddar, bacon, and onions can chill together first.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Dip
Round Ritz crackers, sturdy crackers, pretzel crisps, toasted baguette slices, celery sticks, and bell pepper strips all work as dippers. The dip also makes a savory spread for turkey or roast beef sandwiches.
For a fuller appetizer table, pair this cold dip with Monte Cristo Sliders and Grape Jelly Meatballs. Add Charcuterie Cups for individual snacks that guests can carry.
Easy Baked Monte Cristo Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Easy Individual Charcuterie Cups for Parties
A Couple of Questions Before You Start
Does million dollar dip need cream cheese? This tested version uses mayonnaise as its base and does not include cream cheese. Keep the five-ingredient proportions in the card for this version.
Do I use only the green onion tops? Use both the white and green portions, thinly sliced, after trimming off the root ends. That gives you the preparation used in this tested recipe.
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Recipe
PrintMillion Dollar Dip
Million dollar dip brings together creamy mayo, cheddar, bacon, green onions, and crunchy almonds. Mix it in 10 minutes, then chill for an easy make-ahead appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings (¼ cup each); about 4 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup real bacon bits
- ½ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Trim the root ends from the scallions. Slice the white and green portions thinly.
- Shred the cheddar if using a block of cheese.
- Place the mayonnaise in a medium mixing bowl. Fold in the cheddar, scallions, bacon bits, and almonds until evenly distributed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Stir before serving, then transfer to a serving bowl and arrange crackers alongside.
Notes
Chill Time: At least 2 hours. Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes, including chilling. Cook Time: None for the base recipe.
Substitutions: Replace the bacon bits with cooked, cooled, finely chopped bacon. Use sharp or mild cheddar, depending on your preference. Sliced almonds or chopped pecans can replace the slivered almonds; omit the nuts if needed.
Optional toasted almonds: Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until lightly golden. Cool completely before adding. Optional toasting adds cooking time beyond the no-cook base recipe.
Serving suggestions: Serve with sturdy crackers, pretzel crisps, toasted baguette slices, celery sticks, or bell pepper strips. This dip also works as a spread for turkey or roast beef sandwiches.
Make ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate, covered. For more crunch, stir in the almonds shortly before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Stir before serving.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the mayonnaise can separate and the texture may become watery after thawing.
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