Unboxed: 12 prepared dips for convenient gatherings

End-of-year celebrations call for sharing great food with loved ones. However, the holidays can also mean hectic schedules and added stress. Many shoppers may feel anxious as they add party hosting, gift buying and traveling to their existing responsibilities.

That’s where prepared dips come in.

“Consumers are increasingly interested in expanding their culinary capabilities,” explains Matt Kramer, founder of Sunny Fine Foods, maker of tahini-based dips. “But they have limited time and expertise. Versatile dips are invaluable in making a quick meal that’s healthy and delicious.”

For Lauren Joyner, owner of House Party, which crafts vegan “cheese” dips made with vegetables, prepared dips are growing in popularity because they present shortcuts for nourishing alternatives to nostalgic meals and appetizers. "Consumers demand healthy twists on classic comfort foods and more sustainable snacking options,” she says.

According to Mintel, in 2023 U.S. savory spreads and dips experienced 25% growth in the past five years. This category expansion presents an exciting opportunity for retailers to stock their prepared dip sections with dips beyond hummus.

Here are 12 new and natural dips and spreads that offer convenience and global flavors.