This 7-Layer Dip starts with refried beans stirred with taco seasoning, then homemade guacamole, a sour cream and cream cheese layer, shredded cheddar, and diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives on top. It’s cool, creamy, and fresh, with no cooking at all. It takes about 25 minutes to put together in a 9×13-inch dish, serves 10, and I make it for game days, potlucks, and any time I need a dip that travels.
You’ll love this recipe if you’re a fan of Beer Cheese Dip, Taco Dip with Cream Cheese, and Chili Cheese Dip.
You’ll start with a base of refried beans mixed with taco seasoning and some milk to make it easy to spread. Then, you’ll add a fresh guacamole layer made with avocados, salsa, cilantro, and lime juice. The next layer is a mix of sour cream and cream cheese, followed by shredded cheese. Finally, top it all off with diced tomatoes, green onions, and sliced black olives.
I like to make this dip ahead. Layer the beans, guacamole, sour cream mixture, and cheese in a 9×13-inch dish up to a day before, keep it covered in the fridge, and add the tomatoes, green onions, and olives right before serving. It travels well in the same dish, and I serve it with tortilla chips. For a holiday appetizer table, my Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms and Bacon Wrapped Mini Peppers go with it.
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💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to prepare.
- Travels well, so you can easily make and take to a party.
- Uses straightforward ingredients.
- Stores well, and leftovers taste great.
➡️ Ingredients
⏲ How to make this 7-layer dip recipe
This is an overview of the recipe’s instructions. The full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Refried Bean Layer: In a mixing bowl, add refried beans and taco seasoning and stir until combined. Pour and stir in milk (this will help to spread this layer more easily). Set aside.
- Prepare Guacamole: In a separate bowl, mash the avocados. Mix in salsa, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare Sour Cream Layer: In another separate bowl, using an electric mixer, mix together sour cream and cream cheese until combined.
- Assemble Dip: Spread the refried beans on the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Top with the guacamole, then cover with the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle on the cheese, then top with tomatoes, green onions, and black olives.
👉 Ingredient substitution suggestions
- Refried Beans: Use mashed-up black beans or pinto beans.
- Taco Seasoning: Make your own blend with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Milk: Almond or soy milk can work if you want a dairy-free option to mix with the beans.
- Homemade Guacamole: Use store-bought guacamole instead of the homemade guacamole in this recipe.
- Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt will work well here.
- Cheese: Try pepper jack for a bit of a kick.
- Tomatoes: For a little extra zing, swap the Roma tomatoes for pico de gallo or extra salsa.
✨ Variations
- Spicy: Add extra diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to any layer for more heat.
- Layer of Lettuce: For some crunch, add a layer of shredded lettuce just under the cheese.
- Meat: Layer in some cooked ground beef or shredded chicken seasoned with taco seasoning above the beans.
- Corn and Beans: Add a layer of corn kernels and/or black beans.
- Veggies: Increase the veggies by adding a layer of diced sweet mini peppers or cucumbers.
〰️ How to serve
- Tortilla Chips: Regular, blue corn, flavored, or low-carb tortilla chips.
- Crudités: Sliced cucumber, carrots, radish, celery, bell peppers, and/or snap peas.
💬 FAQs
Can I make a 7-layer dip ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dip up to a day in advance. Layer everything except the tomatoes, green onions, and black olives, and store those separately. When ready to serve, layer those on top as instructed. Or, if you’re planning to serve it within a few hours, you can make the recipe as instructed, then cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.
How do I store 7-layer dip?
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, then press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dip before sealing it with a lid to help keep it fresh. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can I use store-bought guacamole?
Yes. Store-bought guacamole works in place of the homemade guacamole layer, and it saves you mashing 3 avocados.
Can I add meat to 7-layer dip?
Yes. Cooked ground beef or shredded chicken seasoned with taco seasoning goes right above the bean layer.
What do you serve with 7-layer dip?
Tortilla chips are the classic, whether regular, blue corn, flavored, or low-carb. Sliced cucumber, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and snap peas work too, and so do crackers.
📚 More dip recipes
🍽 Recipe
🍴 Make This Next
- Queso Fundido – Hot melty cheese for the same spread.
- Bacon and Chive Mini Pepper Poppers – Bacon and cheese in little pepper cups.
- Fresh Homemade Salsa – Fresh salsa to keep the chips going.
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7-Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 1 can refried beans (16 ounces)
- 1 package taco seasoning mix (I use Siete brand)
- 2 Tablespoons milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream
- 3 avocados, peeled, pitted then chopped
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, de-seeded then finely chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 3-4 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 can sliced black olives (2.25 ounces), drained
Instructions
- Prepare Refried Bean Layer: In a mixing bowl, add refried beans and taco seasoning and stir until combined. Pour and stir in milk (this will help to spread this layer more easily). Set aside.
- Prepare Guacamole: In a separate bowl, mash avocados. Mix in salsa, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare Sour Cream Layer: In another separate bowl, using an electric mixer, mix together sour cream and cream cheese until combined.
- Assemble Dip: Spread refried beans on the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Top with guacamole, then cover with sour cream mixture. Sprinkle on cheese, then top with tomatoes, green onions, and black olives. Serve right away with tortilla chips, or cover and refrigerate until serving.
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