Our FAVORITE recipe for 7-layer dip with a few tricks that make it extra fresh and flavorful! Serve it at any party and people will gather around it until it’s gone!
Wondering how to make THE BEST 7 layer taco dip? You’re in the right place! Check out this post to learn all of my tricks for making this beloved appetizer.
If there’s one appetizer that makes every party infinitely better, it’s 7 layer taco dip!
Mexican dip is a popular appetizer for a reason: layers of refried beans, fresh guacamole, sour cream, and all of your favorite taco toppings all loaded on crispy, sturdy tortilla chips — yum!
This cold dip is bursting with flavors and textures, easy to make, and feeds a crowd.
I took this classic layer dip recipe to the next level by adding salsa to the layer of beans and spices to the sour cream mixture. It makes all the difference in creating a super-flavorful dip!
I also added lime and cilantro to the avocado layer to make delicious guacamole that could stand on its own.
Whether you’re hosting a football party, birthday party, family dinner, summer BBQ, or simple game night, this easy appetizer will be a welcome addition!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for parties or game day
- Bursting with flavor and texture
- Great for a crowd
- Travels well
For more favorite appetizers, check out these recipes for caramelized onion dip, bbq nachos, artichoke dip, deviled eggs with relish and bacon wrapped dates.
For more tried-and-true potluck recipes, try these recipes for the best potato salad, scotcheroos, 4th of July fruit salad, peanut butter bars and gluten-free pasta salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this 7 layer taco dip.
For the Bean Layer
- Refried beans: Any can of refried beans will work for this 7 layer taco dip recipe. Use your favorite!
- Salsa: I like to add salsa to the refried beans to level-up the flavor and texture. Any salsa will work for this 7 layer taco dip.
For the Guacamole Layer
- Avocados: You’ll need firm but ripe avocados for the guacamole layer. Look for avocados that have a little give to them when you press the skin, but aren’t too soft.
- Cilantro: I like adding finely chopped cilantro to the mashed avocados to enhance the flavor of the guacamole layer.
- Lime juice: Lime juice adds flavor and helps prevent the avocados from turning brown. Fresh is best!
For Sour Cream Layer
- Sour cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor, or you can use plain Greek yogurt if you want to save calories and add protein. Be sure to mix the sour cream thoroughly before spreading it over the guacamole layer.
- Spices: Spices like chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt and powder add so much flavor to this sour cream layer! It really makes all the difference between an amazing taco dip and a bland version.
For the Toppings
- Cheese: I like to use freshly shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese for this recipe. It has better texture and flavor than pre-shredded cheese! However, you can also use a Mexican cheese blend, if you prefer.
- Olives: Any black olives will work for this 7 layer taco dip recipe. Buy pre-sliced olives to save yourself some time!
- Tomatoes: I prefer chopped grape tomatoes for this recipe, but you can also use Roma tomatoes or any other type.
- Green onions: You can use chives or green onions to add a bit of color and flavor to the final layer. When using green onions, I like to use the middle green section for a milder flavor.
How to Make 7-Layer Taco Dip
BEAN LAYER: Mix the refried beans and salad together until evenly combined. Smooth into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish.
GUACAMOLE LAYER: Mash the avocado and lime juice together until smooth. Stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread over the top of the beans layer.
SOUR CREAM LAYER: Mix the sour cream and seasonings together until smooth. Spread over the guacamole layer. (Spread the sour cream all the way to the edges to cover the guacamole so it doesn’t brown.)
OTHER LAYERS: Sprinkle the cheese, tomatoes, olives and green onions evenly over the sour cream layer.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Enjoy!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate leftover 7 layer taco dip in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Guacamole may start to turn brown and sour cream may start to separate after about a day, so it’s best to consume it within a day or two.
FAQs
7 layer dip can be left out for up to three hours. However, it’s always best to cover dip in plastic wrap and refrigerate it as soon as you’re done eating it. This will ensure optimal freshness!
No, 7-layer dip should not be frozen. It contains may ingredients that change texture and consistency when frozen, such as sour cream and tomatoes. For this reason, it’s best to eat 7-layer dip when it is fresh. You can refrigerate dip for a day or two after preparing, but it tastes best immediately after preparing.
Yes, most dips go bad if they are not refrigerated. Dips made with sour cream or cream cheese should be consumed within about two hours of sitting out. Dips made with guacamole will turn brown within about an hour of sitting out.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- You can help prevent browning of the guacamole layer by covering the it completely with the sour cream. This keeps the oxygen out so it stays fresh until you’re ready to enjoy the dip!
- This seven-layer taco dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance. To store, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Then you’ll have one less thing to worry about before your guests arrive!
- I like to use freshly shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese for this classic dip recipe. It has better texture and flavor than pre-shredded cheese!
- You can definitely customize this easy dip with your favorite taco toppings, like ground beef, ground turkey, red bell peppers, green chiles, or shredded lettuce.
MORE APPETIZER RECIPES
I hope you love this perfect party appetizer as much as we do! If you try this 7-layer bean dip, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
7-Layer Taco Dip (BEST RECIPE!)
Ingredients
BEAN LAYER
- 2 16-ounce cans refried beans
- ½ cup green or red salsa
GUACAMOLE LAYER
- 4 medium ripe avocados
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
SOUR CREAM LAYER
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of black pepper
OTHER LAYERS
- 2 cups Mexican cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup black olives sliced
- ¼ cup green onions or chives finely chopped
Instructions
- BEAN LAYER: Mix the refried beans and salad together until evenly combined. Smooth into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish.
- GUACAMOLE LAYER: Mash the avocado and lime juice together until smooth. Stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread over the bean layer.
- SOUR CREAM LAYER: Mix the sour cream and seasonings together until smooth. Spread over the guacamole layer. (Spread the sour cream all the way to the edges to cover the guacamole so it doesn’t brown.)
- OTHER LAYERS: Sprinkle the cheese, tomatoes, olives and green onions evenly over the sour cream layer.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can help prevent browning of the guacamole layer by covering the it completely with the sour cream. This keeps the oxygen out so it stays fresh until you’re ready to enjoy the dip!
- This seven-layer taco dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance. To store, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Then you’ll have one less thing to worry about before your guests arrive!
- I like to use freshly shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese for this classic dip recipe. It has better texture and flavor than pre-shredded cheese!
- You can definitely customize this easy dip with your favorite taco toppings, like ground beef, ground turkey, red bell peppers, green chiles, or shredded lettuce.
This is the best 7 layer dip ever! 10 stars out of five! Iv’e made 7 layer dip before but not with these spices, it’s perfect. I made one small change by adding 4 ounces of soften cream cheese to the sour cream part. so tasty. I will be making this more often.
Annette
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s a favorite at our house too. The cream cheese makes it so yummy!
This 7 layer taco dip is so full of flavor. I used shredded cheddar cheese and it turned out so yummy!
this was the best thing to make for a movie night! my friends and I loved scooping up some with chips while we relaxed on the couch! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe