My homemade bacon horseradish dip is fully loaded with bold flavors. Smoky bits of bacon mingle with tangy blue cheese and prepared horseradish in this exciting appetizer. This tasty treat is the perfect appetizer to serve for your next get-together!

I have an obsession with horseradish. With the exception of maybe my breakfast cereal, I have found very few foods that won't benefit from a touch of heat. I slather it on summer sausage, mix it in mashed potatoes, throw it in Bloody Marys. So why not add some zest to a dip, packing its unique punch?

What is it?

Prepared horseradish sauce adds the perfect touch of heat to my creamy bacon horseradish dip recipe, while bacon imparts a deep smoky flavor. Blue cheese can be mixed in as well to lend its trademark tangy funk! These flavors marry well with the base of the sauce which is comprised of a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce.

Ingredients Needed

• Cream cheese - 8 ounces of cream cheese form the base of the dip.
• Sour Cream - Sour cream adds its classic tangy touch, but more importantly is needed to lighten up the cream cheese, to ensure the dip is dippable.
• Worchestershire sauce - Deepens the flavor and adds some complexity.
• Bacon - 8 ounces of bacon crumbled into small pieces adds a nice smoky flavor which will continue to develop as the dip rests in the fridge. I strongly recommend using real bacon rather than bacon bits, as it has the best flavor.
• Prepared horseradish - I recommend using Silver Spring coarse cut prepared horseradish when making this recipe. However, when making a batch for myself I like to swap out their Extra Hot prepared horseradish for an extra kick!
• Blue cheese - Blue cheese adds its trademark funk and some added creaminess. If you don't like blue cheese, it can be omitted. The dip tastes phenomenal with or without it.

How to make this dip

Begin by frying up your bacon so it can be chopped or crumbled to use in the dip. While the bacon is frying it is important to soften your cream cheese if you haven't already done so. This is important to ensure it blends smoothly with the sour cream without lumps. You can soften the cream cheese in the microwave, or let an unopened package sit in hot water for ten minutes.

Tip: When frying up bacon to crumble I like to chop it into one-inch pieces before it goes in the skillet. It is easier to cook larger quantities of bacon this way, and it will cook more evenly.

At this point mix the cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, bacon, and blue cheese in a medium bowl. The dip can be enjoyed right away, but the flavor is best if you allow it to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours, or overnight.

What to serve with bacon horseradish dip

The dip is best served with hearty crackers, bagel chips, or baguette slices. However, this zesty dip works well to pair your favorite fresh veggies like carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and other raw vegetables. Finally, if you wish to keep things simple, there is no harm in serving it with simple potato chips.

Ways to customize this dip recipe

There are a lot of ways to customize this creamy dip to make it uniquely yours. Here are a few of my suggestions to make your own great flavors.

• Add thinnly sliced green onions to the dip. You can use the white and green ends.
• For a more mild flavor, use Parmesan cheese rather than blue cheese.
• Add a dollop of brown sugar to sweeten it up.
• Drizzle in a little balsamic vinegar.

More horseradish recipes

If you are craving more sinus-clearing inspiration featuring the tangy punch of prepared horseradish. Give these recipes a try as well!

• Smoked Salmon Dip
• Homemade Cocktail Sauce
• Mississippi Roast Sandwiches
• Wisconsin Beer Brat Sauce