This festive, melty dip brings the cozy flavors of the season to your table. It is creamy, a little spicy, and full of red and green pops that make every bite feel like a celebration. Set it out with a warm skillet and watch it vanish.
Texas Christmas Dip
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Small slow cooker (optional)
- 1 Baking Dish (optional, for baking/broiling)
Ingredients
Base & Veggies
- 1 tbsp olive oil as needed for browning
- 1 lb turkey sausage casing removed
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalape f1o seeded and minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies drained (about 10 oz)
- 1 cup corn kernels drained
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt to taste
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Creamy & Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar divided
Finish
- 2 tbsp green onions sliced
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 0.5 lime juiced
Optional Toppings
- extra cilantro
- sliced green onions
- diced tomatoes
- crumbled turkey bacon
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium. Add olive oil and turkey sausage. Cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion, red bell pepper, and jalape f1o. Cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, and black beans. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes to warm through.
- Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth and melty. Mix in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese until creamy.
- Turn off heat. Stir in lime juice, green onions, and cilantro. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top. Cover 1 minute to melt, or broil briefly for bubbly edges. Serve hot with chips and veggies.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Texas Christmas Dip
- Bright, festive colors that fit every holiday spread.
- Creamy, cheesy, and just-right heat with family-friendly flavors.
- Quick to make with simple pantry staples.
- Easy to scale for parties and potlucks.
- Stays warm and scoopable in a small slow cooker.
Texas Christmas Dip Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1 lb turkey sausage, casing removed. Substitute cooked ground turkey, lean ground beef, or plant-based crumbles.
- 1 tbsp olive oil, as needed for browning.
- 1 small onion, finely diced.
- 1 red bell pepper, diced.
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced. Use more or less for heat.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained, about 10 oz. Sub 1 1/4 cups fresh tomatoes plus minced green chilies.
- 1 cup corn kernels, frozen or canned and drained.
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened.
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar, divided.
- 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper. Adjust to taste.
- 2 tbsp sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.
- Juice of 1/2 lime for brightness.
- Optional toppings: extra cilantro, green onions, diced tomatoes, or crumbled turkey bacon.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Texas Christmas Dip
Step 1: Brown the sausage
Heat a large skillet over medium. Add olive oil and turkey sausage. Cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 2: Soften the veggies
Add onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Build the base
Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, and black beans. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes to warm through.
Step 4: Make it creamy
Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth and melty. Mix in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese until creamy.
Step 5: Finish and serve
Turn off heat. Stir in lime juice, green onions, and cilantro. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top. Cover 1 minute to melt, or broil briefly for bubbly edges. Serve hot with chips and veggies.
Tips for Success
- Drain tomatoes so the dip stays thick and scoopable.
- Soften cream cheese to melt faster and avoid lumps.
- Taste and adjust salt after adding cheese.
- Keep warm in a small slow cooker on Warm for parties.
- Add a pinch more smoked paprika if you want extra smoky depth.
Variations of Texas Christmas Dip
- Extra cheesy: replace 1/2 cup Monterey Jack with pepper jack for a kick.
- Meat-free: swap turkey sausage for plant-based crumbles and add 1 more cup beans.
- Veggie-forward: fold in diced zucchini or spinach during the veggie step.
- Fiesta style: top with pico de gallo and a squeeze of lime before serving.
- Crunchy finish: garnish with crushed tortilla strips or toasted pumpkin seeds.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Texas Christmas Dip
- Tortilla chips, corn chips, pretzel thins, or warm pita.
- Crisp dippers like celery, cucumber, bell pepper strips, and jicama sticks.
- Set beside a platter of roasted shrimp, mini quesadillas, or chicken skewers.
- Sip with sparkling grape juice with lime or a citrusy agua fresca.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring, until creamy. Add a splash of milk if needed.
- Freeze: Not recommended. The dairy can separate when thawed.
Memories Made Around the Table
I first made this on a snowy weekend, and the skillet landed in the center of the coffee table while the tree lights twinkled. Every time the cheese pulled into long strings, someone laughed and reached for just one more chip.
FAQs
Can I make Texas Christmas Dip ahead? Yes. Assemble through Step 4, cool, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Reheat gently, finish with herbs and lime, and serve.
How do I keep it warm for a party? Transfer to a small slow cooker on Warm and stir occasionally. Add a spoonful of sour cream if it thickens.
Is it very spicy? It is mild to medium. For less heat, skip the jalapeño and use mild chilies. For more heat, add extra jalapeño or crushed red pepper.
Can I bake it? Yes. Mix the cooked filling with cheeses in a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes until bubbly.
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of easy, merry appetizer that brings everyone to the kitchen. Keep the chips close, put on the lights, and let Texas Christmas Dip do the rest.