When the weather warms up, I’m all about cool, easy recipes. This poolside dip is a summer favorite that always satisfies and can be made in 5 minutes. It’s a great appetizer for sitting by the pool, BBQ’s, cookouts, and more. There is no cream cheese or mayonnaise, so it holds up well in the heat.

If you like my delicious Texas caviar, you’ll love this poolside dip recipe. You can whip it up in about 5 minutes with just a few ingredients.

This is the perfect dip to throw together if you have people coming over, sitting by the pool, or just want a tasty, flavorful snack. I also love that this version of poolside dip does not have a creamy base, which makes it perfect for the hot weather.

Try serving this with more cool dips like cucumber avocado dip, million dollar crack dip, and cream cheese fruit dip.

Why you’ll love this dip

• Cool, no-bake appetizer. This recipe is so simple, just stir and eat. No baking required.
• Great party recipe. A wonderful party dip that is easy to double for a large crowd.
• Make it ahead. You can prepare this dip ahead of time until ready to serve.
• Easy to customize. It’s easy to make this dip your own.
• No mayo or cream cheese. This makes it great for the warmer weather.

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients for this poolside dip. This recipe stands out because there is no cream cheese and no mayonnaise.

• ROTEL – A can of diced tomatoes with green chilies adds great color and flavor. You don’t need to drain the tomatoes.
• Black olives – Sliced black olives are perfect for texture and flavor. You can leave these out if you don’t like olives.
• Green onions – Diced green onions work well in this dip. You can use 1-2 green onions.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Used to make the dressing for the dip.
• White vinegar – Balances out the flavors.
• Zesty Italian dressing seasoning mix – This adds amazing flavor. It has a hint of spiciness. If you would prefer less spicy, use the regular Italian dressing mix.
• Shredded cheese – I like using the finely shredded cheese for this dip recipe. You can use what you have on hand.

How to make easy poolside dip

This is a step-by-step guide for making poolside dip with no cream cheese. Scroll to the recipe card for the full instructions.

Step one: Place the olives, Rotel tomatoes, diced green onion, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings in a large bowl.

Step two: Stir the ingredients together until combined. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator.

Heather’s recipe tips

• Drain the olives. Make sure to drain off the olive juice for this recipe. You don’t need to drain the Rotel.
• Chill the dip. While you can serve this dip immediately after making, I do like mine to chill for about 30 minutes for the flavors to develop.

Variations

Heat: If you prefer a spicier dip, add in diced jalapenos or use the Rotel hot.

Protein: Add in some protein like cooked chicken or crumbled bacon.

Cheese: Use your favorite shredded cheese like cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses.

Tex-Mex: Stir in a can of drained corn and a can of drained black beans.

Creamy: If you want a creamy version, stir in 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup of sour cream.

Serving suggestions

I like serving this poolside dip with tortilla chips, corn chips, potato chips and more. It’s also great with crackers and vegetables like celery and bell peppers.

Storage and make ahead tips

Store: Store this dip covered in the refrigerator. It will last about 2 days.

Make ahead: You can prepare this dip up to 24 hours before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a stir before serving.

This dip does not freeze well. It’s best to eat the day you make it.

More cold dip recipes

• Dill pickle dip – A creamy, cold dip with diced pickles.
• Italian pinwheels – Flavorful, tortilla pinwheels.
• Pineapple dip – A fruity, tropical dip.
• Chipped beef dip – Creamy dip loaded with chopped, chipped beef.

If you made this cold dip be sure to leave me a comment below. Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can make it all summer long!