Trisha Yearwood’s Charleston Cheese Dip Recipe
Trisha Yearwood’s Charleston Cheese Dip is a rich, creamy appetizer featuring a blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and crispy bacon, perfectly balanced with a touch of cayenne and fresh green onions. This cheesy dip pairs wonderfully with crunchy Ritz crackers, making it ideal for parties or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8 oz block of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- Dash of cayenne pepper
Topping and Serving
- 10 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the 8 slices of bacon until crispy, either in a skillet or oven. Once cooked, drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
- Mix the Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Stir until smooth and fully blended.
- Add the Cheeses and Seasoning: Incorporate the grated sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add the finely chopped green onions and a dash of cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble the Dip: Transfer the cheese mixture into a serving dish. Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers evenly over the top.
- Add the Bacon: Evenly distribute the crumbled bacon pieces over the Ritz cracker layer to finish the dip.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled dip for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the dip to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature with additional Ritz crackers or your preferred dippers.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to achieve a smooth dip.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute bacon with a vegetarian bacon alternative to make it vegetarian-friendly.
- To make it gluten-free, replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers.
- The dip can be prepared a day ahead; store covered in the refrigerator.
Keywords: Trisha Yearwood, Charleston Cheese Dip, creamy cheese dip, bacon cheese dip, party appetizer, Southern recipe