Hot Virginia Dip is a unique, creamy, salty delicious dip that is perfect for an appetizer or a late-night snack that is great with crackers.
Jump to RecipeThe holiday season is just around the corner, and that means office parties and potlucks galore. Sometimes it’s hard to find a unique dish to bring, but this Hot Virginia Dip usually does the trick!
One of my go-to potluck recipes is Taco Dip. But there are times when someone else has already claimed a similar dip, so this is my backup. This beef dip is also perfect for potlucks, game days, or family reunions.
I had never had a dip like this until I was living with my aunt and uncle during my sophomore year in college when I transferred to UCF (Go Knights!). She calls it Hot Virginia Dip, and it is fantastic!
Seriously, I could eat the entire pan in one sitting. I don’t make it too often because I know I will eat it all and I don’t need to. It’s a cheesy, salty, and creamy dip and oh-so-good.
It’s super easy to make, just mix cream cheese with the remaining ingredients, bake, and enjoy. The only ingredient I had a hard time finding at first was the dried beef. It is usually near the canned meats on the top shelf. It comes in a small glass container with a blue lid on it.
Garnish Ideas
There are a few things you could garnish the dip with, or choose to mix in.
- Sauté pecans or 1/2 cup pecan halves
- Sliced green onions
- Crab meat
- Worcestershire sauce
Hot Virginia Dip Step by Step
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 4 tbsp milk
- 2.25 oz dried beef (minced)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 tsp onion (minced)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F. Mince the dried beef and gather all of the ingredients. I like to use a food processor or a magic bullet to mince the beef quickly.
Combine the softened cream cheese, 4 T milk, minced dried beef, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and sour cream in a large bowl.
Pour the dip into an 8×8 baking dish and level out as best as possible.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is bubbly. You can let it go for a few more minutes if you want it to brown on top.
Serve warm with your choice of crackers and enjoy! I prefer plain Wheat Thins with this dip, but any cracker will work.
Hot Virginia Dip Leftovers
Storage: Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheating: The best way to reheat this dip is in a saucepan over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir constantly so the cheese doesn’t scald to the bottom of the pan.
Recipe
Originally Published On: January 12, 2016
Last Updated On: October 16, 2023
Hot Virginia Dip
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 4 tbsp milk
- 2.25 oz dried beef (minced)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 tsp onion (minced)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Mix all ingredients (except crackers) thoroughly
- Place in 8×8 casserole dish
- Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly
- Serve hot with your choice of crackers
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Other Savory Cheese Dip Recipes to try
- Ranch Spinach Dip
- Super Easy Pizza Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Hot Crab Dip
- Roasted Green Onion Dip
- Chili Nacho Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe 2 Ways
- Nutty Cheese Ball
- Hot Virginia Dip
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip
- Taco Dip
- Ranch Snowman Spread
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole: Chinese Buffet Copycat
LOTS of cream cheese to go on my dip – to make it easier for me to eat 🙂
Yes! I love cream cheese, so this is one of my favorite dips!
This dip looks so delicious! I’m a big muncher, but I hate buying dips from the store and want to start making my own. I’ll have to give this a try!
I am a big muncher too. It’s my weakness when it comes to food. But I’m the same way and almost always make them homemade.
(sucks in her breath, eyebrows shooting up in surprise as jaw drops) this has chipped beef in it??? And it’s HOT??? Oooh, gonna have to try this – my youngest has recently discovered the joys of one of my late father’s FAVORITE breakfast, Creamed Dried Beef On Toast, which she now asks me to make every other day (it’s one of my faves, too) even though it’s not something I keep on hand in the house! So she and I will gladly eat this all up!!!
Yep, it has all of that with a delicious cream cheese base! It’s one of my very favorite dips.
I have never heard of such a dip before in my life!! Interesting!
It was new to me, too, when my aunt made it the first time. But now it’s one of my favorites and I make it almost once a month!
This is a great dip for potlucks and parties too! So easy to make and it’s delicious.
I have brought it to parties before, and it’s always gone so quickly!
Ooh, this sounds like a delicious dip… I will have to give this a try next time we have a dinner party!
It’s great as an appetizer for a group of people. My family makes it at many family gatherings and it doesn’t last long!
Mmmhhm..that looks heavenly! I always enjoy your recipe posts.
Thanks Wendy! The dip is delicious, I hope you get a chance to try it out.
I love dips! I’ve never had this one before. It really is great for parties and potlucks. I’ll have to give it a try!
Me too, dips are one of my weaknesses. I’ve brought it to gatherings before and it’s usually one of the first things gone!
Omg can we say yum?!?! I just love dips! Especially for dinner parties. Must make!
Dips are always a great appetizer!
That look spicy and delicious! I like hot appetizers, especially served with crackers or baked bread. Perfect for the cold days and nights.
It has a lot of bold flavor, but I don’t know if I would say it’s spicy. I haven’t tried this with bread before, but now I want to do that next time I make it, which will be soon!
This dip sounds very tasty! no surprise it is always such a success!
Oh my goodness, it’s so good. I have to limit myself or I would eat the whole dish!
I’ve never heard of Hot Virginia dip, but it sure does look tasty! It would be a hit at any holiday party!
I hadn’t until my aunt made it for the first time, either. But now it’s one of my favorite appetizers!
I love cream cheese..the dip looks so delicious…I need to try this
I do, too. I think that’s why this is one of my favorite dips.
This dip has been a staple in my area of Virginia for at least 30 years. It originally came from what is still my favorite cookbook, Virginia Hospitality. It’s a Junior League cookbook from the Hampton Roads area. For the longest time, you didn’t go to a party around that didn’t have Hot Virgina Dip. It has always been one of my husband’s favorites. Back in the day we used to serve it in a chafing dish but I don’t think people use them any more! I use Pinterest more and more and I’m always happy to find my old favorites on here. Another one of my favorites from the newer Junior League book, Very Virginia, is French Quarter Cheese. It’s really different and it’s fantastic! Im going to look that one up next and hope I find it on Pinterest.
Oh he awesome! Thank you so much for the history of the dish! It’s one of my absolute favorite dips.
I’ve never heard of Virginia dip before!!! I am so gonna make it this weekend, looks so delicious.
It was new to me, too, when my aunt first made the dip. Now it’s one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy!
I have never heard of this but I need it in my life for sure! It looks and sounds amazing. I bet it would be good to make for a sip and see we are having
It’s been well-received at any gathering I’ve ever brought it to. It is usually one of the first things gone!
I never heard of Hot Virginia Dip but it looks so delicious for tailgating or gatherings. What kind of chips do you recommend to use?
It was a new one to me, too, when my aunt first made it. But it’s perfect for large groups of people! I usually like plain Wheat Thins crackers with it, but you could also serve with Ritz or any other salty cracker.
Tempting! Looks delicious. This is something I really want to do this weekend.
Oh, you definitely should. Trust me, this stuff is addicting 🙂
What a perfect looking dip. Ideal for the upcoming Christmas season, as there will be plenty of buffets for sure xx
Yes! It’s usually one of the first things gone when I bring this to any gathering, especially when it’s cool outside.
The dip is very tasty and very simple also to do. I am trying a dish crackling mushroom tonight for my family will try this dip out let me see. Thanks
Oh, that sounds interesting too! I hope you and your family enjoy 🙂
This is beyond deliciousness. I had to put it on the first page of my recipe book.
Thanks! It’s definitely one of my very favorite dips. It deserves the front page!
Oh my! I am so sure my son would love this recipe. Yummy! My mouth starts watering! YUMM!
It’s such a yummy, salty, cheesy, delicious dip! We all really enjoy it here.
This looks so delicious! I have never had this before, but I can not wait to make it. It will be perfect for a holiday party!
It’s such a great dip. When I bring it to gatherings it’s always gone quickly.