Summer Gatherings: Just 3 ingredients. I make it when I want an appetizer handled hours ahead so I can just relax with my guests.

This 3-ingredient slow cooker beef dip is my go-to when I want an appetizer totally handled hours before everyone shows up, so I can just relax and visit. It’s a cozy, Midwestern-style warm dip that starts with browned ground beef and turns into a glossy, velvety pot of cheesy, savory goodness. Everything simmers away in the slow cooker while you tidy up, set out drinks, or sit on the porch. It’s simple enough for a casual summer gathering, but hearty enough that folks will happily hover around the crockpot until it’s scraped clean.

Serve this beef dip right in the slow cooker on the warm setting so it stays melty and smooth. Put a ladle or sturdy spoon next to it and surround the crock with sturdy dippers: toasted baguette slices, tortilla chips, pita chips, or thick-cut crackers that can handle a hearty scoop. For something fresher alongside, add a tray of crisp veggies like carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and celery. A simple green salad or a big bowl of cut fruit balances the richness if you’re turning this into more of a grazing meal for a summer get-together.

Servings: 8-10

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80–90% lean)

Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains, about 7–10 minutes.

Drain the fat: Carefully tilt the skillet and spoon off or drain away any excess grease so the dip stays velvety, not oily. Transfer the browned beef to the bowl of a slow cooker.

Add cheese and salsa: Scatter the cheese cubes over the browned beef in the slow cooker. Pour the salsa evenly over the top.

Start cooking: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, or on HIGH for about 1–1 1/2 hours, until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is hot and bubbling gently around the edges.

Stir to combine: Once the cheese is melted, stir the dip well from the bottom up so the browned beef, melted cheese, and salsa are fully combined into a glossy, smooth mixture with tender beef throughout.

Switch to warm: Turn the slow cooker to the WARM setting to hold the dip at a safe serving temperature. Keep the lid on when you’re not serving so it stays silky and doesn’t form a skin on top.

Serve: Set the slow cooker on your serving table with a spoon or small ladle. Serve the beef dip hot with sturdy chips, toasted bread slices, or veggies for dipping.

For picky eaters, choose a very mild, smooth salsa or even a plain tomato sauce with a pinch of salt so the flavors stay simple and familiar. You can also use half ground beef and half ground turkey if you prefer a lighter option, just be sure to brown it thoroughly. For extra flavor without adding ingredients to the slow cooker, season the beef lightly while browning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic or onion powder. If you like a little kick for grown-up gatherings, pick a medium or hot salsa or stir in a spoonful of chopped pickled jalapeños at the end. To make it feel a bit more like a meal, spoon the hot dip into soft tortillas and add shredded lettuce and tomatoes for easy handheld bites. Food safety tips: Always brown the ground beef completely until there is no pink and the juices run clear; ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Drain excess grease to reduce splattering and greasiness. Do not leave the dip sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours; keep it on the WARM setting in the slow cooker during the party and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving. Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on LOW in the slow cooker, stirring often until steaming hot throughout.