Tropical Cheese and Bacon Dip
Perfect for bringing to your next pot luck or for serving at your next party: This fantastic Tropical cheese and bacon dip has just 5 ingredients!
I am always on the lookout for new things to add to my potluck contribution rotation. I love easy appetizers that travel well and are versatile with a wide range of menu items.
I particularly love making dips but they always seem to make more than my family will eat so I really enjoy making them for parties to share.
This quick and easy tropical dip features crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh green onions, and your choice of sweet fruit preserves.
I originally shared this recipe in 2015 with a now-discontinued tropical fruit preserve made from peaches and mangoes. The good news is I've recently updated the recipe with easy-to-find options that match that same awesome flavor!
I think you'll love experimenting with each of the options, they're all super delicious.
Why This is the Best Recipe
- Delicious Fruit Preserve Options: Pick your favorite! I've got 4 easy flavor options for you to pick from.
- Savory Bacon and Cheddar: Not too sweet, these savory ingredients balance out that sweetness so well.
- Quick & Easy: Just stir everything together with a hand mixer in minutes! You can prep it ahead of a party and it travels well to a potluck.
Ingredients
This quick and easy dip starts with a short list of items:
- Fruit Preserves: I used a combination of apricot preserves and canned pineapple chunks to mimic that tropical flavor from the original recipe. You could also use pineapple preserves or peach preserves with the pineapple. If you have mango chutney in your fridge after making Coronation chicken sandwiches, this would be a great option, too.
- Cream Cheese
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Cooked Bacon: I used half a batch of my favorite peppered bacon baked right in my oven! I used the other half for my loaded baked potato dip.
- Fresh Green Onions
Want to Save This for Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How to Make It
Place softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and beat it until smooth.
Add the fruit preserves of your choice and beat it in until smooth.
If you choose to use the pineapple chunks, drain them from the can and add to the mixing bowl.
Use your beater to crush the pineapple into the cream cheese mixture.
Finally, add the crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions. Fold them in.
NOTE: You'll want to save some bacon and green onions for garnishing the top when you serve it!
In fact, check out just how easy here:
Chill the Dip
Cover the dip and let it chill in the fridge for one hour before serving for the flavors to mingle.
Make Ahead Tips
You can make this dip in advance up to 3 days ahead of your event. Just keep it covered in the fridge.
If crispy bacon is important to you, I recommend reserving the garnish bacon in a separate container and sprinkling it over the top just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
I served this tropical dip in a pretty bowl with a platter of simple buttery crackers. It would be delicious with fresh red pepper slices for dunking, too!
It's a fun and easy potluck appetizer to bring for a football party or holiday event any time of year.
📖 Recipe
Tropical Cheese and Bacon Dip
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves see notes for alternatives
- 1/2 (8 oz) can pineapple tidbits drained, reserve some pineapple for garnish
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions chopped
Instructions Start Cooking
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. In a large bowl, beat it with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add the preserves and half of the drained can of pineapple tidbits. You can use the remaining half of the can for garnish so set it aside. Beat them into the cream cheese.
- Crumble the bacon and reserve just a tablespoon or so for garnish, add the rest to the bowl. Add the cheddar cheese and green onions. Fold in the ingredients by hand with a spatula and then scrape the dip into a pretty serving bowl. Top with the reserved bacon, a sprinkle of green onions, and pineapple. Chill in the fridge for an hour before serving for the flavors to mingle.
- The dip is easiest to enjoy once it softens for 10 minutes or so on the counter before serving with crackers.
Recipe Notes
Fruit Preserve Options:
If you can't find (or prefer not to use) the apricot preserves, you could substitute an equal amount of one of the following:- Peach Preserves
- Pineapple Preserves
- Mango Chutney
Save This Recipe to Your Recipe Box
Find this delicious recipe next time you visit by saving it to your very own recipe box on my site. All your favorites stored in one easy place!
Editor's Note: I originally published this recipe in 2015 and have updated it with new photos for clarity. You may recognize the recipe from this original photo:
Comments
No Comments