Patty is a recipe developer and food writer. She worked Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator and podcast producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.
updated Aug 26, 2022
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The key to effortless hosting — no matter the size of the soirée — is to decide on a single stop for party essentials. I can think of no better place than Costco to pick up the snacks and supplies required for tailgating, holidays, and dinner parties. Costco carries the party-sized packaging I am looking for at reasonably affordable prices.
One thing I always pick up is a pre-made appetizer that I can serve while focusing my efforts on the main event. Costco has an entire display dedicated to ready-to-serve dips, and while I have personally purchased each one independently over the years, I had never embarked on a mega, side-by-side blind taste test until now. After sampling every dip that Costco sells, I am happy to report that I have found the very best one.
How I Tested the Dips
I purchased every container of refrigerated dip from my local Costco. The nine dips I tried included hummus, tzatziki, pimento cheese, and more. I picked up a bag of tortilla chips and a box of buttery Ritz crackers on my way to the check-out line. Eight of the dips are meant to be served chilled, while one was microwaved prior to serving according to package instructions. I scooped the dips into numbered dishes and served them to a group of friends. While each of the dips were tasty, all of the testers agreed that one was better than the rest.
The Best Dip: Pinky’s Vegan Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Imagine our surprise when I revealed that vegan, plant-based spinach-artichoke dip was the unanimous pick for best dip. Spinach-artichoke dip usually relies on Parmesan, mozzarella, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream for its rich, creamy flavor. This dip, which hit Costco shelves earlier this month, is made with dairy-free versions of cream cheese and mayonnaise.
The consistency is thick and creamy, but is soft enough to be scooped with both chips and crackers. There is no off-putting grainy texture or out-of-place aftertaste that’s so often present with vegan or plant-based alternatives. The pieces of artichoke and spinach are generous and full of flavor. Serve this dip chilled or in a bread bowl warm from the oven. It’s also a great thing to have around for stuffing into pasta shells or chicken breasts.
Find it in stores: Pinky’s Vegan Spinach-Artichoke Dip, $8.99 for 24 ounces at Costco
Did we choose your favorite dip? Share your pick in the comments below.
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