• A Dairy Queen Blizzard is made with thick, soft serve and a range of customizable mix-ins
• As of April, I've had 31 Blizzards from the menu, including seasonal and limited-edition flavors.
• I've ranked the Blizzards from worst to best, and my favorite flavor is still the seasonal s'mores.

Dairy Queen is one of Warren Buffett's most famous businesses — he bought it in 1997 — and it's worth millions. 

The chain hit record sales in 2021 and is still considered one of the leading dessert and snack chains in the US. However, at the core of its success might be one of its signature desserts: The Blizzard, a frozen treat blended with all sorts of mix-ins.

Blizzard flavors come and go, and I'm always hunting for the best one. So, since August 2020, I've been eating and ranking every Dairy Queen Blizzard I could get my hands on. 

Here's how the Blizzards I've tried so far stack up, ranked from my least favorite to my favorite. 

Editor's Note: This list includes limited-edition and seasonal flavors that don't always return. Check the menu at your nearest location before trying to order any of the options below.

Cotton-candy Blizzard

The first problem with this seasonal Blizzard was the texture. It had these chewy, colorful bits of sugar that felt a bit off — like they weren't supposed to be in there, and a child added them in at the last minute. 

However, the unbearable sweetness of this Blizzard is what earned it a spot at the bottom of my list. This dessert just tasted like pure sugar and my teeth still hurt thinking about it.

I could picture younger kids absolutely loving this, but I can't see myself ordering this one again.

M&M Blizzard

Many people picture M&Ms when they think of a classic ice-cream mix-in. That symphony of crunchy, chocolaty bits with smooth, creamy ice cream is a kid's kryptonite on a summer afternoon.

My M&M Blizzard came exactly as expected — with the bite-sized candies slightly crushed and evenly dispersed throughout the vanilla. It was a simple yet satisfying option.

Even so, this Blizzard was pretty underwhelming, especially when compared to the other ones on the menu. I think it could've benefited from the addition of a brownie to make the chocolate flavor of the candies stand out more. 

Royal Rocky Road Trip Blizzard

Full disclosure: I don't care much for rocky-road ice cream, so I knew I wasn't going to be wild about this one from the start. 

Like rocky-road ice cream, this Blizzard contains all of the essential flavors: chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallow. This dessert has a single marshmallow core in the center of the cup with the ice cream around it and it comes with brownie chunks to offset the strong vanilla flavors.

I can see this being a dream for anyone who loves marshmallows, but I felt that the core overpowered the rest of the Blizzard.

At one point, I thought the peanuts were missing, but they'd really just collected at the very bottom of the cup, which made every bite pretty inconsistent.

Very Cherry Chip Blizzard

This Blizzard absolutely lives up to its name. To me, it tasted exactly like a cherry slushie.

It's very, very sweet, but I didn't find that totally offputting. The bits of cherry in this offered a nice pop of tart flavor that made my lips pucker. My order also contained plenty of tasty chocolate chunks, which cut through some of that intense fruity sweetness.

I believe this Blizzard will appeal to a lot of people (Shirley Temple fans, looking at you), but it was too sweet for me to find it enjoyable beyond a few bites.

If I wanted a fruit-forward Blizzard, I'd go with the Raspberry Fudge Bliss.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Party Blizzard

I'm still confused about what the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Party was supposed to be.

I thought it would have chunks of peanut-butter cookie dough, but it actually contained chocolate-chip cookie dough.

Peanut-butter topping was swirled into DQ's signature vanilla soft serve and — even more confusing — it had a crunchy peanut-brittle topping and sprinkles, which, for me, just added an awkward crunchiness.

Still, it wasn't bad. The sauce was blended so seamlessly into the vanilla soft serve that it tasted like peanut-butter ice cream. However, DQ would have more luck pairing peanut butter with something that would contrast its nutty flavor, like dark-chocolate brownies.

The one-note quality of this makes it seem like it was made for kids

Wonder Woman Cookie Collision Blizzard

With such a fun name, I had high hopes for this limited-edition Blizzard. Unfortunately, it underwhelmed me. 

Essentially, It's a hodgepodge of chocolatey flavors, but instead of using brownies as the dessert mix-in of choice, it's chocolate chip and chocolate-chocolate cookie dough, which are pretty much indistinguishable from each other.

This had potential, but the similar toppings didn't add much in terms of flavor. I have a difficult time distinguishing between this one and the regular cookie-dough Blizzard, which is disappointing.

Heath Blizzard

I was eager to try the Blizzard because I think Heath is an excellent, underrated candy bar.

The Heath candy bits were finely chopped and distributed well throughout the ice cream. This gave the entire Blizzard a strong toffee taste, which I personally loved.

However, the biggest issue with this one was the texture. Toffee is notoriously sticky and hard, especially when paired with a cold substance like ice cream.

As I ate my Blizzard, I noticed the small bits of the candy were getting stuck to parts of my teeth, which made me unwilling to finish it.

Oreo Dirt Pie Blizzard

Although I personally never attended summer camp myself, I have many fond childhood memories of eating Oreo dirt pies at birthday parties.

Normally, the dessert is made using pudding as a base, but here, DQ is putting its own spin on this with its soft serve.

I appreciate the sentiment DQ was trying to convey here, and I'm sure kids will go nuts for this, but I'm not sold on the gummy worms being mixed into the ice cream.

As a topping? Fine. But I didn't care for getting random bites of chewy candy in my ice cream. There's already enough texture going on with the cookie pieces and fudge. Plus, it's not like they add that much flavor.

On a more positive note, I loved how the added extra fudge crumbles really doubled down on the chocolate flavor.

This costs the same as the regular Oreo Blizzard, so you're not necessarily out any extra money if you order this over the other. But for my money, I'd much rather get the regular Oreo Blizzard.

Nestlé Drumstick with Peanuts Blizzard

This Blizzard brought me back to childhood days at my grandma's house.

I'd often dig in the back of the freezer looking for chocolaty Drumstick treats, only to devour an entire cone within a couple of minutes. And every time, my fingers (and the floor) would end up covered in a melted mess.

Years later, I'm still a fan of Drumsticks, but I rarely eat them to avoid dealing with that mess. Thankfully, DQ has solved that problem by creating a Blizzard with Drumstick bits blended right in that I can enjoy with the convenience of a spoon.

And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. As is the case with most of its Blizzards, the vanilla ice cream made for the perfect base, accentuating the peanut-waffle-cone-Nestlé chocolate flavor in the mix-ins. Peanut was definitely the predominant flavor, but it wasn't so overpowering that I didn't taste the chocolate.

I wish the peanut bits were larger, though, since they kept getting stuck in my teeth. I understand the peanuts on a drumstick are tiny as is, so there was no changing this.

Still, if you're looking for a peanut-butter dessert that's not too chocolaty or sweet, try this Blizzard. 

Picnic Peach Cobbler Blizzard

In my mind, peach cobbler brings to mind a dessert served warm, and topped with ice cream, so I was curious about this deconstructed Blizzard version.

Overall, this was so-so. The tiny chunks of cold cobbler were easily the star of the show, offering a buttery flavor that was delicious against DQ's basic vanilla soft serve and a shortbread-like texture that was pleasantly crumbly.

That said, I don't know if the peach-topping swirls worked for me. It could have been how my Blizzard was mixed, but I found the distribution of flavor wildly inconsistent — I had to dig around before I got any peach flavor. 

Oreo cookie Blizzard

Although I enjoyed this Blizzard, it was essentially the same thing as cookies-and-cream ice cream.

On a positive note, DQ's signature vanilla soft serve tasted mellower and had a more delicate finish than what you'd find at the grocery store. I also liked that I could taste the icing bits in the Oreos. 

However, I probably wouldn't order this one again unless I was on the go and craving something familiar. For the price, I would rather purchase a pint of high-quality cookies-and-cream ice cream from the grocery store.

Mixing Bowl Mashup Blizzard

Given its name, I expected this would contain a mix of brownie and cookie-dough chunks, but sadly, it's just the latter.

The dough provided more texture than flavor under the blend of vanilla and chocolaty brownie-batter ice cream.

More than anything, this tasted like a Wendy's Frosty to me — not bad, just underwhelming.

Ultimate Cookie Blizzard

Introduced in 2024 as June's Blizzard of the Month, this Ultimate Cookie Blizzard is made for people who appreciate lots of texture.

Featuring a blend of vanilla soft serve and Nabisco's finest — Chips Ahoy, Oreos, and Nutter Butters — every spoonful from start to finish contained some bit of cookie chunk. Yum!

Sadly, The Chips Ahoy cookies were barely detectable under the flavor from the Nutter Butter and rich cocoa notes coming from the Oreos.

I'm not complaining because it's all tasty, but I wouldn't call this as memorable or impressive as the Oreo brookie Blizzard.

Choco Brownie Extreme Blizzard

As a chocolate lover, I was surprised that I didn't like this one as much as I'd hoped. This Blizzard is proof that there can be too much of a good thing.

This comes with brownie pieces, chocolate fudge, and chocolate chunks. I enjoy all those things individually, but it's almost too much when they're all packed together in an 8-ounce cup.

It was clear to me that the chewy brownie chunks were the star of the show, and the other two chocolaty components didn't add much. The brownies were so fudgy that they blended together with the fudge chunks, too. Part of me feels like the fudge chunks were thrown in just to give this Blizzard its "extreme" name. 

The kicker of this dessert is that it came with vanilla ice cream — not chocolate — but I honestly couldn't taste it underneath all of the toppings. 

Butterfinger Blizzard

This Blizzard consists of vanilla soft serve and a generous amount of nutty, scrumptious Butterfinger bits. I immediately noticed the little orange bits sticking out from the creamy soft serve, so everything looked like it had been mixed well. 

Taste-wise, this blizzard was good but not incredible. The candy bar (or bars?). was ground incredibly fine, which allowed the nutty flavor to blend seamlessly into the soft serve.

However, I felt the candy's chocolate coating got completely lost in the mixing process.

Snickers Blizzard

The symphony of textures makes Snickers one of the US's most beloved candy bars, and the same holds true when it's paired with delicious vanilla soft serve.

Yummy chocolate, smooth caramel, and crunchy peanuts gave this one a pleasant blend of different flavors without overpowering the ice cream itself.

Of the candy-themed Blizzards I tried, this was one of the better ones.

Brownie-batter Blizzard

Don't ever try to tell me that brownie flavor and brownie-batter flavor are the same thing — they're not.

This Blizzard is evidence of that, as it had an almost malted flavor to it, which made it slightly sweeter than other chocolate ones. I absolutely loved it.

This tasted like someone froze a bowl of brownie batter. Even better, DQ was not skimpy about the brownie chunks. I got a bit of chewy, fudgy brownie in every single bite down to the bottom of the cup.

Reese's peanut-butter cup Blizzard

As advertised, this Blizzard came with vanilla soft serve and noticeable chunks of Reese's peanut-butter cups.

As expected, everything tasted great. The Reese's chunks had that familiar melt-in-your-mouth flavor that I know and love. However, the further I got into my Blizzard, the fewer peanut-butter cups there were, and the less enjoyable it became.

Still, if I had to choose a candy-themed Blizzard, I'd probably order this one again over some of the others.

Peanut-butter puppy chow Blizzard

Puppy chow — or "muddy buddies" depending on where you grew up — is a common snack at many a childhood sleepover, movie night, holiday party, or school event. It's a treat made using basic cereal like Chex, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.

I'm not surprised Dairy Queen turned it into a mix-in. Still, I wasn't blown away by this flavor. 

It was tasty, and the peanut-butter flavor came through nicely on each bite. However, in my order, the few squares of puppy chow in the mix were clumped toward the bottom. Luckily, when I did eat a piece, it was delicious and nicely softened under the weight of the ice cream while still retaining a slight crispiness.

The pieces also added a subtle bit of salt that's missing with the Reese's Blizzard.

Oreo fudge brownie Blizzard

Like the chain's traditional Oreo Blizzard, this comes with vanilla soft serve and chewy bits of Oreo cookies. The only difference is that this takes it to the next level by adding globs of yummy, fudgy brownies to the mixture.

This was good but it wasn't much of a standout to me because it seemed like the Oreos were reduced to the background.

The brownies dominated the dessert, which wasn't a problem for me as a chocolate lover, but it made me question whether the Oreos needed to be there. 

Turtle pecan-cluster Blizzard

The blend of buttery pecans, caramel, and vanilla on this Blizzard was absolutely divine. I also liked that my order contained pieces of whole pecans. 

However, I found the chocolate fudge shavings to be unnecessary because they weren't noticeable at all. That said, this Blizzard earns high marks for its uniqueness and great taste. 

Caramel Drumstick with peanuts Blizzard

You may be thinking, "Wait a second, Dairy Queen has always had a Drumstick Blizzard with peanuts." Correct. This one is different — it has all that and caramel.  

The addition is very subtle. Visually, it looks no different from the other Drumstick Blizzard. However, as soon as I took that first bite, it was clear this was a huge step above the original.

The caramel topping was blended seamlessly into the ice cream, offering a touch of yummy sweetness that paired incredibly well with the peanuts and chocolaty drumstick pieces.

In all, it's a wonderful combination of slightly salty, sweet, and nutty flavors.

People who are hoping to get huge globs of gooey caramel might be disappointed. But if you want something that's delicious and sweet but not quite as intense as some of the candy-flavored Blizzards, this will hit the spot.

Oreo brookie Blizzard

Just when you think DQ hasn't done enough with Oreo, the chain adds tiny, dime-sized chunks of brownie-and-chocolate-chip-cookie hybrids. The more cookies, the better. 

Upon the first spoonful, I thought this Blizzard tasted like a typical cookies-and-cream one. But once I got a piece of the brookie, I understood why this was so special. The brookie pieces brought a yummy, fudgy chewiness that was absolutely delightful in contrast to the slightly crunchy Oreos.

The chocolate-chip-cookie component brought in a buttery sweetness that popped against the vanilla ice cream. It was kind of like eating chocolate-chip-cookie dough and cookies-and-cream ice cream with brownie chunks all at once. It was delicious.

Even though the chocolate was the standout flavor here, I didn't find it as intensely cocoa-flavored as the Oreo brownie Blizzard. Since the chunks of brookie are smaller than a coin, they didn't really overpower the Oreo flavor.

Oreo cheesecake Blizzard

Much like the cheesecake Blizzard, this came with a decent amount of cheesecake chunks. The only difference is that this one's also mixed with Oreo cookies.

I accidentally ordered this with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, but, even so, it tasted the same as the chain's vanilla soft serve but with a hint of chocolate syrup. 

In my opinion, this is a great option for the cheesecake lover who also wants a little bit of chocolate.

The ratio between the two ingredients was fairly even, which meant no one taste dominated the other. In fact, they enhanced each other. The cocoa in the Oreos popped each time I got a bite of them with the creamy cheesecake.

Chocolate-chip cookie-dough Blizzard

Cookie dough is one of the most popular ice-cream flavors in the US, and I get why. 

The dough bits in this Blizzard were just the right size — and, best of all, there were so many of them. This Blizzard was heaven with a great ratio of ice cream to cookie dough. 

The chocolate fudge really made this Blizzard stand out from standard, store-bought cookie-dough ice cream from the grocery store.

The fudge made the ice cream chocolaty, which brought out the sweetness of the doughy bits.

Girl Scout Thin Mints Blizzard

Frozen Thin Mints are a thing for a reason, and I'm glad DQ found a way to harness that perfectly cool, chocolaty deliciousness into a Blizzard.

Here, the ice cream had a delicate minty flavor that tasted like a dead ringer for the iconic cookie. The use of vanilla soft serve with mint swirled into it lends to a pleasant, refreshing sweetness that prevents this from tasting like toothpaste.

The bits of Thin Mint cookies were basically the cherry on top here: perfectly chewy, with their smooth chocolate flavor dancing on the creamy, cool vanilla-mint swirl.

This ended up being one of my favorite Blizzards. The addition of a fudgy chocolate swirl is the only thing that could make this even better. 

Raspberry Fudge Bliss Blizzard

My initial thought on seeing this Blizzard was that it seemed the most "adult" to me because it's the only one with actual fruit in it. 

By far, the best part of this Blizzard was the fresh raspberries. They added a layer of tartness that counteracted the intensity of the chocolate-fudge chunks.

I just wish there were more of them in the Blizzard because once I got a quarter of the way in, all that I tasted was vanilla and chocolate.

Frosted animal cookie Blizzard

This Blizzard has the perfect level of sweetness. The small amount of frosting on the animal cookies gave it just a hint of that sugary taste without being too much. 

The cookies also had a nice chewiness to them and they stood up well to the ice cream without getting soggy. 

Best of all, after a few bites, the colorful icing and sprinkles on the cookies melted into the soft serve, which made the entire thing taste like a delicious confetti cake.

Royal New York cheesecake Blizzard

I'm always a fan of a good dessert within a dessert when it's executed well — fortunately, this Blizzard was a hit. 

The creamy cheesecake chunks made for a superb mix-in for Dairy Queen's soft serve: They had a slightly chewy yet smooth texture that stood up well to the ice cream. I also found that they had a pleasant, sweet flavor that didn't taste artificial or overly sugary.

However, it was the strawberry mixture in the center that seriously elevated this Blizzard. As soon as I got to the core, strawberry flavor began to seep into every corner of the cup, giving every subsequent bite a burst of berry flavor.

Dipped strawberry cheesecake Blizzard

Bright, fruity, and delicious. This Blizzard tasted something you'd pay big bucks for at a creamery.

The cheesecake chunks are plentiful and melt-in-your-mouth soft, and the fresh strawberry is blended so fine that it permeates through every corner of the ultra-smooth vanilla.

Give me 10 more.

S'mores Blizzard

When two classics come together, you're bound to end up with something delicious. That's exactly what happened with the s'mores Blizzard, which is why it was my absolute favorite.

Unlike the Royal Rocky Road, which was overpowered by marshmallow, and Chocolate Brownie Extreme, which was too chocolaty, the s'mores Blizzard had just the right amount of everything. 

Instead of mini marshmallows, which can easily turn rubbery when cold, it has chocolate chunks that contain marshmallow filling. It also has graham-cracker pieces and graham-cracker dust that courses throughout the entire Blizzard, causing the ice cream to adopt that irresistible, toasty flavor.

Because of the graham-cracker dust, every bite tastes like a s'more. In other words, this Blizzard is the perfect summer treat, and I can't wait to order it again soon.

This story was originally published on August 17, 2020, and most recently updated on April 7, 2025.

• I tried 30 dips and spreads from Trader Joe's to see which would be the best for a Super Bowl party.
• Trader Joe's vegan caramelized-onion dip would complement any appetizer table. 
• The jalapeño pub cheese and almond-chipotle dips were incredibly tasty options.

When it comes to snacking, nothing beats a good chip-and-dip combo — and Trader Joe's seems all too aware of that fact.

From a comforting, cheesy pimento spread to spicy hummus, the chain currently offers a wide selection of dips for virtually every palate.

As a regular connoisseur of Trader Joe's salsas and spreads, I decided to try some of the chain's most popular dips.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in January 2021 and most recently updated on February 3, 2025. Product availability may vary by location and time of year.

The eggplant hummus tasted like a wholesome version of the classic alternative

With a base of eggplant, chickpeas, lemon, garlic, tahini, and pomegranate juice, this hummus was one of the more wholesome dips I tried during my taste test, but that didn't make it any less delicious.

It had a pleasantly mild, subtly sweet flavor and was slightly less beany than regular hummus.

This alternative doesn't contain any additional oils and instead relies on a seamless mix of eggplant and tahini for its smooth, easily spreadable texture, a feature that made it easy to eat.

On a blind taste test, I'm not sure if I'd be able to identify the eggplant in it, but I'd still happily dip any veggie or cracker into it without hesitation.

VERDICT: The eggplant hummus was quite tasty, and I'd highly recommend the delicious product to anyone who is in the market for a vegan-friendly, light dip.

The 5-layer dip was scrumptious enough to eat as a meal

Five-layer dip might not seem like anything exciting or special, but after trying this one, I'm convinced Trader Joe's is eager to prove otherwise.

Instead of using a standard refried-bean spread as the base, Trader Joe's switched things up and opted for a smooth black-bean hummus, which deepened the flavor and provided an earthy contrast to the rich dairy components.

And every other element was perfectly measured and delicious, from the tasty guacamole layer to the sour cream and shredded cheese topping.

I thought it could've benefited from more onions or a peppery ingredient like jalapeño, but on the flip side, minimizing the dip's spiciness makes it accessible to a variety of palates.

That said, this dip had a much shorter shelf life than the other ones I purchased due to the inclusion of the vegetables, though I wouldn't necessarily say that's a bad thing.

Trader Joe's five-layer dip would probably get devoured within minutes if it was served at any party and could easily be transformed into a meal by throwing it inside a tortilla or on top of some rice.

VERDICT: The familiar, yummy combination of guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese with a unique black-bean hummus base made this dip a standout among the other Southwestern-style options available.

I think it's worth purchasing again, but not as often as some others on this list.

The pimento cheese dip was basically comfort food in a container

As a West Coaster, I'm not too familiar with pimentos as an ingredient. I know they're very popular in Southern cuisine, but I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand how many times I've eaten something that contains these tiny, red chile peppers.

Nevertheless, I was excited to give Trader Joe's take on this Southern delicacy a try, and I was wowed — it's worthy of all the love it gets.

The dip itself is made of a blend of extra-sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, onion powder, and other spices.

Overall, the texture was pleasantly soft with tasty bits of cheese shreds and roasted pimento chiles, which tasted like super-sweet bell peppers, mixed in for added chew and a pop of peppery flavor.

After one bite, I immediately understood why this dip is so popular, since it had an unmistakably real cheese flavor to it with just the right amount of tang to balance out the richness.

When paired with a tortilla chip, the distinct, sweet notes from the pimentos were further enhanced, creating the perfect blend of salt, pepper, tang, and cheese.

VERDICT: I may not be an expert on Southern dips, but Trader Joe's pimento cheese option tasted like a winner.

I loved that the cilantro-jalapeño hummus had a surprising kick to it

At first, I thought this option was going to taste like the bottom of the chain's three-layer dip — a cilantro-infused hummus — but it turned out to be so much better.

Spicy, zesty, herby, and creamy all at once, this dip was like nothing else I tried for my taste test.

Trader Joe's went the extra mile by fully infusing the standard hummus recipe with yummy cilantro-jalapeño pesto to give it an aromatic, spice-forward flavor.

And when it came to heat, this dip delivered, as it's topped with a dollop of that very pesto for a concentrated burst of hot flavor. 

Between the lemony tang from the hummus, zesty cilantro flavor, and moderate spice from the jalapeños, it tasted like something that was prepared fresh at a Mediterranean restaurant and was hard to put down once I cracked it open.

VERDICT: If I could only pick one Trader Joe's hummus to eat for the rest of my life, it would be this option.

The addition of cilantro elevated the dip without totally erasing the hummus flavor, and its bold, spicy profile gave it a unique and memorable edge.

The bruschetta sauce reminded me of a fancy appetizer, but it was difficult to enjoy as a stand-alone dip

One of my favorite appetizers to order at Italian-style restaurants is bruschetta, an ambrosial mix of fresh tomatoes, basil, salt, and olive oil on top of crispy, sliced bread.

As someone who hates chopping tomatoes, this premade option was like a dream come true. I will be forever thankful to Trader Joe's for giving me a version I can enjoy at home without having to do any preparation.

This bruschetta-style dip comes with perfectly even, bite-sized tomato pieces doused in olive oil, garlic, and basil. 

The sauce's fresh, tomato-heavy taste and robust olive oil and garlic overtones made it easy to fall in love with.

Although it was located in Trader Joe's refrigerated dip display case, this product is technically classified as a sauce. And despite its incredible flavor, this option was pretty limiting compared to some of the others I had.

It was too liquidy to really be scooped without the help of a spoon and too oily for most chips and crackers, let alone carrots.

VERDICT: Ultimately, the bruschetta sauce is worth trying at least once, but it's probably best suited for a setting with utensils. 

Despite being a decent alternative to the traditional dip, the chunky Greek-yogurt guacamole was a pretty underwhelming option

Greek yogurt makes up a noticeable portion of this stuff, so it felt weird to call this dip a guacamole. 

There was definitely a noticeable tang present at the end of every bite, so if you're someone who really hates yogurt, you may find that off-putting.

I didn't mind this too much and actually liked how the ingredients gave this dip a lighter mouthfeel and smooth texture that made it easy to scoop with chips and veggies.

In addition to salt, lime juice, and a vague hint of garlic, the "chunky" part of the guacamole's description comes from the bits of chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatoes, which didn't add much flavor and seemed more like an afterthought.

Instead of being like actual guacamole, it tasted like a spicy lime crema that featured avocado as a bonus ingredient.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It just made the dip seem more like something I'd eat in small quantities, like hot sauce or sour cream, rather than by the scoopful.

Overall, it wasn't the worst dip I tried, but it was far from the best.

VERDICT: Although I can totally picture myself placing a dollop of this stuff on top of a burrito or other spicy dish, I didn't find the flavor memorable enough to eat it on its own with chips. And after a few bites, I was over it.

The caramelized-onion dip packed delicate flavor into a luxuriously creamy spread

Onion dip is one of life's simplest pleasures, and I grew up recognizing it as an essential component of many summertime barbecues. So it was unsurprising that Trader Joe's upgraded version of this familiar favorite turned out to be one of the standout dips I tried.

Upon opening the container, I was hit with an aroma reminiscent of onions sizzling on a barbecue grill.

In terms of taste, it was more honeyed than I anticipated, but within seconds, that sweetness quickly resolved into a mouthwatering blend of pure onion and garlic.

The dip's standout feature, its silky smooth texture from the seamless blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream, made it unmistakably richer than standard alternatives only created with the latter.

And Trader Joe's went the extra mile by adding chopped bits of actual caramelized onions to the mix.

This choice isn't exactly the most calorie-friendly option as far as dips go, but I was in the market for flavor, not diet food. And when paired with a tortilla chip — or better yet, a potato chip — it created a harmonious union of salty, sweet, and savory.

All it took was one bite for me to be instantly hooked.

VERDICT: Anyone who loves the comforts of classic flavors should give this elevated take on onion dip a try. It may be too rich to keep on hand at all times, but I'd absolutely serve it at a party.

The organic Cashew Fiesta dip wasn't my personal favorite, but I still thought it was a decent vegan alternative to queso

I'm all for a good dairy-free option, so I'll give Trader Joe's credit for at least attempting to create a vegan spread that isn't hummus.

Instead of artificial ingredients or flavorings, this option uses a blend of cashews, vegetables, and tasty seasonings like garlic and jalapeños to mimic a cheesy flavor, which was wonderful to see in a vegan dip.

And to my surprise, it smelled a lot like nacho cheese.

When I attempted to sample it chilled, I couldn't even get a proper scoop of the stuff without my chip breaking, but once heated, it developed a creamier texture and still maintained a thick consistency that reminded me of pureed squash.

In terms of taste, I thought this option did an OK job of capturing that slightly spicy, creamy queso flavor without any actual cheese, as the presence of garlic powder and green chiles gave it an added kick.

However, there was an unusually distracting starchy and vinegary aftertaste in every bite.

A glance at the ingredients revealed it does contain potatoes and white distilled vinegar, the latter probably included to give the dip an added tang that I personally didn't care for it.

VERDICT: Although I wouldn't buy the Cashew Fiesta dip for myself again, I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to try a fun, plant-based option.

I couldn't get enough of the garlic dip's fluffy texture and bold flavor

To put it plainly, this garlic spread is a game changer.

Smooth, easy to spread, and packed with a hefty dose of intense garlic flavor, this dip made it pretty much impossible for me to put the container down once I cracked it open.

Its light, fluffy texture and smell reminded me of a cross between aioli and whipped garlic butter, except totally vegan.

And although it's quite pungent, it wasn't too overpowering to enjoy as a dip.

It's also quite versatile. In addition to tasting great as a dip, it would work well as a pizza topping or a flavor enhancer for other sauces. I could also picture it seriously upgrading a tray of roasted vegetables or grilled meats.

Best of all, a little bit goes a long way.

VERDICT: This garlic spread is both delicious and versatile enough to be dubbed a grocery staple.

The tzatziki sported a satisfying blend of refreshing and herbaceous flavors

I've tried many store-bought tzatzikis, and Trader Joe's take on the Greek staple was by far the most balanced.

Other premade versions rely on strong flavors like dill, but this product sported a more mellow, lemony-garlic taste with nuances of fresh herbs. Thinly sliced cucumber ribbons also added a cool, refreshing bite and delicious crunch.

The only issue I would note is that this option was much thinner than other yogurt spreads and wasn't as good for dipping with a vessel like a carrot. But in terms of flavor, this stuff knocked it way out of the park.

This product had just the right amount of tang, garlic, and herbiness to pair well with a wide variety of dishes and flavors — I tried it with chips, crackers, and veggies and thought it tasted exceptional. 

Everything tasted fresh and cool, like the air on a breezy summer day near the coast, which is maybe why Trader Joe's put a picture of a seaside bistro on the lid.

This dip seriously tasted like something I would order at a fancy Mediterranean restaurant. And best of all, because it's made with kefir, it never felt heavy, even after the sixth or seventh bite.

VERDICT: Trader Joe's tzatziki had a lovely, refreshing taste and a mellow garlic flavor that I found simply irresistible.

Its perfect balance of lemony tang, cool herbs, and subtle savoriness makes it an ideal pairing for many different dishes and is worthy of being considered a kitchen staple in my house. 

The tomato-and-basil hummus reminded me of a freshly baked pizza

I'm constantly amazed by Trader Joe's ability to prove that if you can dream it, you can make it into a hummus.

The stamp of Italian flavors gave this Mediterranean-style dip a zesty flair that was simply irresistible and made it taste like a Margherita pizza. 

I also loved how its super-smooth, creamy texture was thick enough to cling to carrots but lightweight enough that I probably could have easily eaten an entire container without feeling too full.

VERDICT: I've already purchased my second tub of this stuff.

The Salsa Especial had a unique flavor profile but was a bit too heavy on the tomato

Trader Joe's offers a wide variety of both jarred and refrigerated salsas that could easily merit an individual ranking, but for the purposes of this review, I opted to sample the medium homestyle salsa.

This option had a decent amount of heat to it, as any good fresh salsa should.

It wasn't spicy enough to make my eyes water, but it had a kick that led me to audibly say, "Oh, wow, OK!" after the first bite, a reaction aided by the hints of chili seasoning that gave this product a pleasantly smoky aroma. 

It also had the optimal salsa texture — chunky enough to remind me that it's made with vegetables but blended so I could easily scoop it with a chip or spread it on top of another dish.

Although this option contained all the right ingredients and a near-perfect level of heat, I thought it was lacking acid. As a result, the tomatoes were the dominant flavor, which made them much sweeter than anticipated despite their notably spicy finish.

That said, it would have made a better companion for cheesy breadsticks or oysters.

VERDICT: Having tried and loved other Trader Joe's salsas in the past, I was disappointed that this one didn't meet my expectations. I'll opt for the chain's spicy pico de gallo instead.

The Buffalo-chicken dip was a tasty, unique spin on one of my favorite snack foods

This dip was all the rich, savory, and hot sauce-flavored goodness of Buffalo wings wrapped into a pleasantly fluffy, easy-to-eat concoction — no wet napkins needed.

Although the label advertises that it can be served both cold and warm, I think this dip tasted best heated. When I sampled it straight out of the refrigerator, it was disappointingly flat, with the hot sauce flavor totally muted under the thick cream cheese base.

Heating allowed the cayenne, vinegar, and other seasonings to become more pronounced and melted it to a queso-like consistency that made it much easier for scooping.

In general, this Buffalo-chicken dip did an excellent job of capturing the iconic flavor, as it certainly had that familiar, spicy hot sauce kick with a vinegary finish that made me want more of it.

The sour cream and cream cheese base also did a nice job of adding a subtle sweetness and tang to the mix so that it didn't taste like I was dipping my chip into pure hot sauce.

Additionally, the chunks of cooked chicken throughout made it substantial enough to be eaten on its own or mixed into a salad, but pairing it with a tortilla chip added a dimension of salt that nicely played up the heat.

When compared to the other products on this list, the Buffalo-chicken dip was on the heavier, richer side, but it definitely earned high marks in my book for being one of the more unique, fun options I tried.

VERDICT:  Although nothing can totally replace the experience of eating Buffalo wings, I would absolutely be willing to serve this product on an appetizer table.

I wanted to like the herbed tahini sauce, but its parsley flavor was too overpowering for my palate

Mostly known for giving hummus its super-smooth texture and savory flair, tahini is a bit of an acquired taste, as it has a strong nutty flavor that's a lot to handle without the addition of other seasonings.

I first noticed this dip's striking green color and herbaceous aroma, which literally smelled like a delicious, fresh herb garden.

But after sampling Trader Joe's herbed tahini spread, I'm not so sure that looks and scent are as reliable of an indicator of taste as I thought because it was packed with parsley.

I thought the front-lining herb gave the dip a grass-like flavor that overpowered every other ingredient and left an unpleasant, bitter aftertaste that lingered for several minutes.

VERDICT: Although I personally wouldn't buy this herbed tahini dip again for myself, I think anyone who likes super-strong, earthy flavors might actually enjoy it.

The jalapeño pub cheese dip was one of the tastiest options I've ever tried

I'm a sucker for all things cheesy and spicy, which means this dip was pretty much my ideal kind of snack.

After devouring nearly half the container in a time I'm too embarrassed to admit, I can confidently say this product lived up to every expectation.

It's made with real cheese, so there was no missing that bold, sharp cheddar flavor, but the bits of jalapeño scattered throughout were what really sold me.

With just enough of a burn to be noticeable without being totally overpowering, this dip hit me with the ideal amount of spice that left a pleasantly moderate heat on the roof of my mouth.

It also had a delicious, mousse-like texture that clung easily to crackers, chips, and carrots.

Honestly, the only issue you may run into is having to buy two containers, because there's a good chance the first won't last long once you open it.

VERDICT: If you're looking for a great dip to literally spice up your next picnic or cheese board, look no further.

I would give the chunky artichoke-and-jalapeño dip an award for its mouthwatering combination of cheese and spice

Chunky is an apt descriptor, as this spread gave me more artichoke bits than I expected, and that was a good thing — this was by far one of the best dips I tasted.

The bold artichoke flavor highlighted a luscious and well-seasoned dip made of Monterey Jack and cream cheese, ingredients that added a touch of salt and a subtle sweetness to every bite.

But what really won me over was how spicy it was. There was no disputing the jalapeño presence in this dip because with every bite I got a delicious dose of fresh heat.

Heat-averse folks may consider this a warning, but to my fellow spice-loving friends: This product is an absolute must-buy.

Apparently, it can also be served warm, but this stuff was so delicious as is that my roommate and I polished off the entire container before we even got a chance to consider experimenting with different temperatures.

VERDICT: I'd say this dip was well worth the purchase, and I'll definitely be buying it again.

Although the Everything but the Bagel Greek-yogurt dip was undoubtedly delicious, it seemed too simple to justify spending money on

My love for Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend has been documented on Business Insider before, so it's needless to say that I was very excited to give this dip a try. 

Packed with salt, garlic, onion, and sesame goodness, this dip hit all the right notes for me, especially when paired against the cool Greek-yogurt base.

There was a slight, yet noticeable sour aftertaste, but I grew used to it after the second bite and actually appreciated how it gave the dip a creamy, lighter quality that would pair well with veggies. That said, I'm sure cream cheese would have worked just as well.

I didn't even mind the dip's lack of the signature everything-flavored crunch, as there were fewer opportunities for the bits to get stuck in my teeth.

VERDICT: This product did an excellent job of building on the chain's signature seasoning and harnessing that everything bagel flavor to save you the effort of having to hit up your local bakery or break out your toaster.

I'm hesitant about buying this again because I could easily make it at home since I regularly have both Greek yogurt and this seasoning blend on hand. But if I were in a pinch for time and needed a dip to add to a platter, I'd repurchase this in an instant.

Reliably tasty and well-seasoned, the Avocado's Number guacamole was impressive

First things first, Trader Joe's deserves praise for packaging guacamole in two separate pouches.

Anyone who's eaten fresh guac knows that once you expose the dip to air, you've essentially started a countdown to finish the entire bowl before it loses the green color and turns into an unappetizing mess.

This split serving allowed me to enjoy the product on two separate occasions without worrying about potentially wasting an entire tub.

Beyond its A+ packaging, this guacamole was well-seasoned and packed with yummy avocado chunks. Although the dip was on the saltier side, its creamy fruit was by far the most prominent flavor.

And best of all, it didn't have an artificial taste.

Of course, when compared to other dips on this list, it's definitely one of the least-inspired choices for a spread as far as snacking goes.

However, its simple base made it pretty versatile and easy to upgrade. I highly recommend sprinkling cheese or fresh cilantro on top to give it an extra layer of flavor.

VERDICT: As far as grocery-store guacamoles go, this was definitely one of the better ones I've tried. I could actually taste the avocado, which made it a worthy purchase.

The red pepper, cranberry, and walnut dip combined 3 unique ingredients for an unforgettable flavor

I would've never thought to pair cranberry and red pepper, but this was the kind of dip I'd expect to find on a charcuterie plate at an expensive wine bar.

The red peppers were the most prominent part, so the flavor was on the sweeter side, but the tart cranberries balanced that out.

The walnut taste came through at the end of each bite. At first, I thought the ingredient was unnecessary, but after a few tries, I realized the nutty undertones actually gave the dip a complex and nuanced flavor profile.

The dip also contained bits of actual cranberries, which gave it a unique, rustic feel. 

I don't know how often I'll eat this as a stand-alone dip — I didn't think it paired great with tortilla chips — but it'd work brilliantly as a sandwich spread or on top of goat cheese.

VERDICT: I'm not in a rush to buy this again, but I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to spice things up at their next dinner party.

The jalapeño-cauliflower dip had a nice, fluffy texture, but I thought it could've used more heat

Trader Joe's continues its cauliflower obsession with this dip, which contained pulverized florets, ricotta, Parmesan, cream cheese, and diced jalapeños. 

The texture was great. The ricotta gave the product a whipped, ultra-soft feel that was perfect for dipping.

Unfortunately, this dip didn't deliver the kick I had hoped it would. The combination of cheeses resulted in a heavier spread with a faint whisper of spice. I'd give the heat level a two out of 10.

VERDICT: This dip would be a safe bet for folks trying to sneak more cauliflower into their diet, though I was a little underwhelmed. 

Trader Joe's Everything and the Elote Greek-style yogurt dip was awesome with corn chips

Inspired by the flavors of classic Mexican street corn, this dip seemed like it was specifically designed with sunny afternoons in mind.

It was a little spicy, smoky, and every bit delicious. 

The Greek yogurt worked surprisingly well as a base, offering coolness and tang that balanced out all of the seasonings, kind of like sour cream. I also loved how it gave the dip a nice, creamy texture without feeling too heavy. 

I have no doubt it would taste amazing drizzled over tacos, chili, or scrambled eggs, but I could've done without the actual bits of corn.

VERDICT: I nearly blew through the entire container eating it with corn chips, so I'll need to get another. 

The Unexpected Cheddar dip was simply the chain's fan-favorite cheese as a tasty spread

Just when I thought Trader Joe's couldn't win my devotion anymore, I found this spreadable version of the iconic Unexpected Cheddar.

This dip had all of the salty, slightly buttery flavors of the fan-favorite staple with the texture of cold cream cheese. 

It was quite dense and wasn't exactly dippable, so I used a butter knife to spread it on the crackers. That extra effort was worth it.

The bold flavor has gone a long way. I've snacked on this for several weeks and still have half a container in my fridge.

VERDICT: I'll definitely pick this up when I want a cheese spread for snacking.

The sweet cannoli dip was a neat idea, but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me

I'm nowhere near being a cannoli expert but I think Trader Joe's missed the mark in mimicking the dessert. To me, Trader Joe's sweet cannoli dip smelled and tasted like vanilla yogurt. I have nothing against vanilla yogurt but it's not the kind of thing I'd use as a dip.

I get that mascarpone is pricy so I understand why sour cream was used to create a smooth, fluffy texture. However, I think the sour cream contributes a distracting tangy component that throws the otherwise delicately sweet flavor off.

That said, I have a hunch that the sweet cannoli dip would work as an ingredient in something else, like French toast topped with fruit. But as a dip, this was a letdown.

VERDICT: Though I really wanted to love Trader Joe's sweet cannoli dip, its unusually tangy profile just didn't work for me.

The plant-based vegan Buffalo dip gives the version with chicken a run for its money

This vegan Trader Joe's dip is made using everything from the crudités platter I'd already pair with Buffalo dip, including cauliflower, peppers, and carrots, instead of cheese and chicken. Luckily, the delicious dip doesn't taste anything like vegetables.

The cayenne pepper taste was front and center with each scoop, with a medium heat contrasted by a vinegary tang.

The dip also had cilantro and garlic, which gave it a nice, well-rounded flavor and depth.

Best of all, it was satisfyingly creamy and fluffy but still remained light on the palate in a way that made me almost prefer it to the original Buffalo dip.

VERDICT: As someone who has friends with specific dietary restrictions and allergies, Trader Joe's vegan Buffalo dip is worth having on hand for any social gathering.

The vegan caramelized-onion dip captured the yummy flavor of the original without any dairy

I wasn't new to Trader Joe's vegan caramelized-onion dip when I sampled it for this taste test. After trying it again, I was reminded why it's my go-to for parties. It's absolutely delightful.

Like the non-vegan dip, it has an irresistible combination of caramelized onions, garlic, and salt, albeit with a slightly sweeter profile thanks to the addition of agave sweetener. It's not an off-putting flavor, but it's a sweetness that reminds me of ketchup and makes me want more of it.

The dairy-free cream cheese base creates a texture comparable to whipped ricotta cheese. It's not as silky smooth as the sour cream version but still yummy and light.

VERDICT: As someone who can't get enough of a savory-sweet onion dip flavor but doesn't always want something overly decadent, I personally can't get enough of this stuff.

Trader Joe's smoked-salmon dip will give your bagels a serious upgrade

Made using a mishmash of bagel toppings including cream cheese, shredded smoked salmon, and capers, this Trader Joe's dip is for people who love fatty fish. It's heavily smoky and aggressively salty and, in my opinion, borders on tasting slightly fishy.

I have a feeling it would taste best paired with foods like cucumbers or tomatoes to tone down the saltiness.

The texture was creamy and dense from the bits of shredded salmon but wasn't as chunky as, say, a chicken salad. Still, this smoked-salmon dip was soft enough to spread on a wrap, cracker, or piece of bread.

VERDICT: I'd recommend this dip to anyone who really loves smoked salmon, but for the average person who only kind of likes the flavor, I found this just too briny to be enjoyable on its own.

Trader Joe's take on a classic spinach dip is one of the best ones on the market

I tend to avoid store-bought spinach dips because, in my experience, they usually have an odd aftertaste or seem mayonnaise-y.

Thankfully, Trader Joe's does this game-day classic justice. I thought the dip tasted like it was fresh, offering a nice balance of creaminess and acidity, along with a tasty spinach flavor.

The spinach bits were plentiful but not overpowering, and there was enough garlic and salt to give it a palatable, well-seasoned flavor. I ate this with a plain cracker and thought it was super tasty, but I'd easily blow through a tub of this with cut-up sourdough.

VERDICT: Although the sour-cream spinach dip isn't as unique or inventive as some other ones Trader Joe's sells, for me, it's a hit.

The vegan almond-chipotle dip delivered the perfect amount of heat

This palatable plant-based Southwestern spread had a good balance of smoky, savory, and tangy flavors.

A strong chipotle pepper flavor provided a subtle heat that tickled the back of my throat, and seasonings like garlic did a fantastic job masking the dip's almond base.

I did taste a faint nuttiness, but given all the other flavors, it was easy to overlook.

Plus, the texture was spot on. Unlike other vegan dips I've tried, which are sometimes on the gritty side, this option was well-blended and smooth.

It was also viscous enough to be pourable, so it could probably double as a drizzle. I'd snack on this with chips, carrots, or bell peppers, but it could also work as a taco or burger topping.

VERDICT: This superb option stands up to other vegan chipotle dips on the market.

Trader Joe's white queso dip is one of the best store-bought versions I've ever had

I'm usually turned off by store-bought queso because I don't care for fake cheese flavors, but Trader Joe's seemed to be doing something right here.

This dip was lusciously creamy and had a great cheese flavor without being too milky. Yes, it was still very mild — it tasted like melted white cheddar cheese — but it didn't have an artificial flavor, which was likely owed to the seasoning.

As I ate, I noticed visible bits of red and green peppers and tasted hints of onion, which added dimension beyond the dairy.

I was so impressed by how tasty this was straight out of the fridge that I missed the instructions that stated the dip is best enjoyed warm. Whoops. I guess that's an excuse to buy this again.

VERDICT: I may not be able to predict who wins the Super Bowl, but I can guarantee this cheesy concoction will be a hit at any party.

The olive-tapenade hummus was a bit too salty for my taste

This appetizer hybrid delivered a smoother experience than a traditional tapenade, which typically consists of finely chopped bits of olives and capers.

The hummus itself had a salty olive taste, so if you're not a fan of them, this dip may not be for you. I found it tasty for a few bites, but couldn't see myself eating more than a little bit in one sitting.

Still, I appreciated the chopped olives on top of the hummus. It added a visual flair that gave the entire dip a homemade feel. I'm sure a squeeze of lemon juice and feta on top would improve the dip as well.

VERDICT: Though this wasn't my favorite hummus, I'd still recommend it to anyone who loves classic Mediterranean flavors.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.