Ultimate 7 Layer Dip
This layered taco dip is about to be your go-to dish when you have a potluck and need to bring something delicious. Make it with ground beef or go vegetarian with refried beans, either way is super yummy!
This Mexican dip is a delicious and easy appetizer to serve at any gathering or as a fun weeknight treat. Whether you keep the classic recipe or make it vegetarian, everyone will love every tasty layer.
We eat this all the time in my house, but it always brings up a debate. What is so controversial about dip that we have a debate about it? It’s all about the layers, baby! And the fact that my husband thinks his version is better, LOL.
I prefer mine with the taco meat, and he wants to leave it out for extra refried beans. Sometimes it’s black beans, but most of the time it’s just the refried ones.
I don’t know about you but if it doesn’t have taco meat, it’s just bean dip.
Oh no! Did I just cause another debate?
Most can agree that beans, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and cheese are included. But that’s only 5 layers. What are the other 2?
These variations include layers of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions, etc. To me these are garnishes and would be one layer total. Call me crazy…
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Reasons To Make Seven Layer Dip
- It’s easy to whip up which makes it great for parties, get-togethers or last-minute guests.
- There are so many options. Top with your favorite toppings or even make it vegetarian by leaving out the meat.
- Packed with lots of flavor making it perfect for Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday.
- Seasoned ground beef is my go-to, but also opt for ground turkey or chicken.
- Try it with the black bean dip or my rotel dip!
My recipe, includes all the best parts of the taco, including the seasoned meat! You can thank me later.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef – When mixed with taco seasoning and a little bit of water, the ground beef becomes taco meat and also the second layer of dip.
- Taco seasoning – As stated above, this is mixed with the ground beef. You can use a store bought packet, or even a homemade blend. We also use some to mix with sour cream for another layer.
- Toppings – The next layers are optional based on your preference, but I like topping my dip with shredded cheese, black olives, shredded lettuce and onions. All the colors, textures and flavors!
How To Make 7 Layer Dip With Meat
- Brown and season the ground beef. Drain if desired.
- Mix the beans and milk until creamy. Spread into the bottom of the dish.
- Top with the taco meat and spread to an even layer.
- Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning until smooth. Spread over meat.
- Top with your favorite guacamole.
- Finish off the main layers with salsa and cheese. Top with lettuce, olives, and tomatoes. Serve with chips.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage
If you happen to have leftover dip, it will keep in the fridge, covered, for 3-4 days.
It make get a little watery in the bottom of the dish, just drain it off and it’s ready to go.
Serving Suggestions
This is perfect all on it’s own but it’s great as an appetizer with these street corn wonton cups, taco empanadas, and this jalapeño cheese dip.
Most of them are served cold, because they don’t have meat in them. But my recipe has meat in it and I still serve it cold. It all depends on how you prepare it. No one in my family has a problem with eating cold taco meat or beans but your family might not like that. You can heat the bean and beef layers then immediately layer the rest of the dip and serve. Really this is just a cold dip with a warm bottom. I wouldn’t heat this in the oven with the sour cream, guacamole, and fresh veggies on top, they will become limp and loose their snap.
There are so many ways to use up the leftovers. Try adding it to taco shells or as walking taco toppings, make nachos with tortilla chips, wrap it up in tortillas and make burritos, or add it to a cheesy quesadilla!
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Tapas Tips & Tricks
- If you don’t have guacamole, you can use plain mashed avocado.
- Don’t have a can of refried beans? Layer bean dip in the dish.
- If your cream cheese layer is too thick or hard to spread, whip it a little longer to make it fluffy or add more sour cream to thin out. Cut it into smaller bits for it to soften faster, set it in the sun or near a warm stove or oven.
- Feel free to use a taco seasoning mix packet but a homemade taco seasoning one is better, will have less salt and also lets you control the heat.
- Use fresh or even canned diced tomatoes. My favorite fresh variety for this dip is a Roma tomato. it’s firm and has great flavor.
- This 7 layer dip is hearty so make sure your tortilla chips are too! Scoops are the best and I would stay away from the thin ones unless you like to dip two chips at a time. And if you are going low carb, use carrot and celery sticks.
- If storing in the fridge, be sure to press the plastic wrap close to the top layer of the 7 layer taco dip to keep the air out and the guacamole from turning brown. A spritz of fresh lime juice will also help prevent it from oxidizing.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
Whip up this zesty seven layer dip with ground beef in just minutes for any occasion. It’s great for game day. With so many layers, there is something for everyone!
Seven Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 16 ounces refried beans
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1.5 cups prepared guacamole
- 16 ounces prepared salsa
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced black olives
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a pan. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef, add water, stir to combine and cook for another minute or two until water is absorbed and meat is seasoned. Remove to a bowl, drain if necessary.
- Combine the refried beans with the milk to thin them out. In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning.
- Grab your 9×13 pan or trifle dish. Start layering in this order being sure to spread the layers evenly over the previous one.
- Spread the beans evenly across the bottom.
- Top with seasoned ground beef. Spread evenly.
- Add the sour cream/cream cheese layer. Spread evenly.
- Spread the guacamole over the cream cheese layer. Spread evenly.
- Top with salsa.
- Sprinkle it with cheese.
- Garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Serve with chips!
Video
Notes
- Layer bean dip if you don’t have plain refried beans.
- Sliced avocado works great for the guacamole layer.
- If storing in the fridge, be sure to press the plastic wrap close to the top layer of the 7 layer taco dip to keep the air out and the guacamole from turning brown.
Nutrition
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Made this for a family gathering and it was a hit! Followed recipe except I just used mashed up avocados and it turned out perfect. For new cooks in the kitchen just a heads up…the recipe claims total time to do this dip is 15 minutes. Unless you have others helping you or you have magical powers I just don’t think that is realistic. Give yourself plenty of time.
Been making this for years!!! Omg the best!!! Thank you for posting, i had forgotten!!!!!
This is my new favorite dip! So many flavors in one dish — I am in love!
This is my new favorite dip! So many flavors in one dish — I am in love!
I agree, 7 layer dips should have meat in them! We loved this recipe, the whole family dug in, we made it dinner!
This dip was not only easy, but so delicious, we made it for dinner the perfect hot weather meal!
I haven’t ever made 7 later dip and what the heck was I thinking—- it was a perfect dip/meal for us with a few beers while out on the boat! So easy to take along! Thanks <3
I know this is supposed to be an appetizer, but I make it for myself as dinner now. It’s so good. Easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe.