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This TikTok-viral Boat Dip Recipe is the easiest poolside party appetizer you’ll ever make, and quite possibly the most delicious! Made with just six simple ingredients and no cooking required, it’s cool, creamy, ultra-flavorful. Perfect for parties, BBQs, or lazy weekends.

Round tortilla chip stuck halfway in a bowl filled with boat dip made with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning.
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If you’ve been on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve come across the viral boat dip recipe that everyone is raving about. Also known simply as TikTok boat dip, this creamy, cheesy appetizer is as easy as it is addictive. Made with just six simple ingredients, you can whip up a crowd-pleasing dip in just 5 minutes

What makes this boat dip so popular? It’s cold, creamy, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for year-round snacking. The combination of ranch and taco seasoning gives it a bold, zesty taste, while the cheese and Rotel add texture and richness. Best of all, it requires no cooking at all. Just mix, chill, and serve! 

Whether you’re headed to a BBQ, pool party, tailgate, or potluck, this easy boat dip is guaranteed to be a hit. Grab some tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies, and get ready to serve the appetizer everyone will be asking for.

Why is it called Boat Dip?

Boat dip is a cold and creamy party dip that went viral on TikTok thanks to its simple ingredients and quick prep. Despite the name, you don’t actually need a boat to enjoy it! The dip got its playful name because it’s the kind of easy, shareable recipe you can toss in a cooler and bring along to the lake, pool, or backyard gathering.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This boat dip recipe comes together with just six simple ingredients, but each one brings its own flavor and texture. Here s a closer look at the ingredients and some easy substitutions you can make.

Note: See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients with exact measurements.

Overhead photo of the six ingredients needed to make TikTok-famous boat dip, including bowls of sour cream, shredded Colby Jack cheese, Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, dry ranch seasoning, and optional sliced green onions.
  • Sour Cream: Sour cream forms the creamy, tangy base for this recipe and helps balance the richness of the other ingredients. Use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed option or a dairy-free sour cream to make it vegan-friendly.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: I made this recipe with canned Rotel tomatoes with mild green chilies. This provides the dip with added texture and a tangy, mildly spicy flavor. Plain tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes are also delicious.
  • Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning gives the dip a flavorful kick with a hint of smokiness. You can use store-bought taco seasoning or use homemade taco seasoning.
  • Ranch Seasoning: Ranch seasoning adds a tangy, savory, and herby flavor. You can use store-bought ranch seasoning or homemade ranch seasoning.
  • Colby Jack Cheese: I love Colby Jack Cheese in this version of boat dip, but shredded cheddar cheese or even mozzarella cheese would also taste great.
  • Green Onions: Chopped green onions give a fresh, mild onion flavor that contrasts nicely with the creamy, spicy flavors of the other ingredients.

How to Make Boat Dip

Here’s how to make this viral TikTok sensation:

Add the sour cream, drained Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning to a large bowl. Mix well to combine, then fold in the shredded cheese and green onions.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. If desired, garnish with freshly sliced green onions and shredded cheese just before serving.

Glass mixing bowl filled with sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning.
Glass mixing bowl filled with mixed together sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning.
Shredded cheddar cheese and green onions added to large glass mixing bowl filled with mixed together sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning.
Fully combined TikTok-inspired Boat dip in a large mixing bowl before chilling.

Recipe Tips

  • Chill for best flavor. If time allows, refrigerate the dip for 1 to 2 hours before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the dip extra cold and refreshing.
  • Stir if separated. After sitting in the fridge, the sour cream and tomato juices may separate slightly. Just give the dip a quick stir and it will come back together.
  • Add some crunch. For extra texture and flavor, mix in chopped pickled jalapeños, black beans, or a handful of sweet corn kernels.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect texture. Shredding your own Colby Jack (or cheddar) gives the dip a creamier finish.
  • Adjust the seasonings. Start with the recommended amounts, then taste and add more taco or ranch seasoning if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Boat dip made with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning in a large white serving bowl and garnished with additional shredded cheese and green onions.

Serving Ideas

This TikTok boat dip is delicious with all your favorite crunchy dippers. Serve it with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, Fritos, or fresh veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, celery sticks, or cherry tomatoes. It’s so fantastic scooped up with slices of soft baguette, soft pretzel bites, or fresh pita bread.

Leftovers

Store leftover boat dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. After refrigerating, stir the dip to remix the ingredients, as some separation may have occurred. Freezing is not recommended.

More Poolside Dip Recipes

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Boat dip made with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, drained rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning in a large white serving bowl and garnished with additional shredded cheese and green onions.
5 from 3 votes

Boat Dip Recipe (TikTok Viral Dip)


Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistible, this boat dip recipe (aka TikTok boat dip) is made with sour cream, Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, ranch, and plenty of cheese. Ready in minutes and always a crowd favorite!
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 (24-ounce) container full-fat sour cream
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes, drained well
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese, freshly shredded
  • 2 green onions , (green parts only), sliced

Instructions 

  • Add the sour cream, drained Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning to a large bowl. Mix well to combine. Fold in the shredded cheese and green onions and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, time allowing. Remove from the refrigerator and stir before serving. Garnish with additional green onions and shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Notes

Note: When measuring dry seasoning, the general conversion is: 1 ounce of dry seasoning = approx. 2 tablespoons
This recipe calls for one tablespoon of taco seasoning and one tablespoon of ranch seasoning. If you’re using store-bought seasoning packets, each package will have approximately one tablespoon of seasoning left over. Add additional seasoning to taste.
  • Transfer leftovers to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 947IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Jessica Randhawa

Chef | Food Photographer

Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon, sharing 14 years of experience and over 1,200 original recipes, kitchen tips, and practical cooking advice. Inspired by her world travels, Jessica's approachable recipes have been featured in outlets like Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and CNET. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

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Recipe Rating




5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

4 Comments

  1. Tara Weik says:

    I used 2 cans drained of rotel n 1 pkg of ranch n 1 pkg of taco seasoning w 16 oz of sour cream n 8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese is that ok?

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      Absolutely, that’s totally fine! Using two cans of Rotel and adjusting the seasonings is a great way to amp up the flavor, and cheddar works well, too. The recipe is very flexible – feel free to customize it to your taste!

  2. Sunny P. says:

    5 stars
    This boat dip was the star of our fourth of July party. My only regret is not making 3x!

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      So glad it was a hit! Next time, definitely go for the triple batch—thanks for sharing!