The Ultimate 7 Layer Dip recipe is packed with layers of Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Ground Beef (and/or Beans), Guacamole, Salsa, Cheese, and more!
Serve up some game day favorites. Including hot Spinach Artichoke dip, BLT dip, or spicy Rotel Dip with tortilla chips and veggies!
Why this Recipe Works
For the past couple holidays I’ve been obsessed with creating fun and easy taco dip recipes!
You may remember this Halloween taco dip, decorated like a spider web. Or this festive, Wreath shaped Christmas Taco Dip.
One question I get all the time is “how can I make this in a 13×9 dish?”
Well, I decided to go ahead and share a basic 7 Layer Dip recipe, FOR YOU.
The best part is you can customize the layers to your favorite taco toppings! Serve this up for Super Bowl Parties, holiday gatherings, or DINNER!
Easy 7 layer dip should NOT be mistaken for this delicious Seven Layer Salad recipe. Two very different, very delicious recipes!
How to make Layered Taco Dip
Layer 1: Cream cheese.
In a small bowl, blend cream cheese with sour cream and taco seasoning. You can make homemade taco seasoning, or use one packet of store bought. Spread this in the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish. This can also be assembled in a trifle bowl!
Layer 2: Meat or beans.
Brown one pound of ground beef (or ground turkey) and add taco seasoning mix. If you prefer to keep this vegetarian, you can use refried beans or black beans instead. You can also use your slow cooker to make your taco meat ahead of time!
Once the meat is browned, spread over the top of layer one.
Layer 3: Guacamole.
This might be my favorite layer! I used my favorite homemade classic guacamole recipe, but this mango guacamole would have been delicious too! Spread guacamole over meat (or bean) layer.
Layer 4: Sour Cream.
We use a thin layer of sour cream to allow even the pickiest of eaters to enjoy this dip. But if you love the creamy white stuff, slather it on thick!
Layer 5: Salsa.
The thicker the better. I find most store brand salsas are too watery for this dip. I mean, they work great for the first ten minutes, then the salsa layer really starts to get watery.
For best results, a homemade Pico de Gallo would be my number one choice. But, if you don’t have time to make your own, the thickest salsa you can find is the best option! (Our pineapple salsa would be delicious here)
Layer 6: Cheese.
Cheddar. Colby Jack. Mexican Blend. Pick your favorite shredded taco cheese and pile it on!
Layer 7: This is where the “rest of it” goes. Tomato, shredded lettuce, black olives…whatever you feel needs to be added, this is the place!
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
More Tex Mex snack recipes
One of my favorite things to serve at a party or get together is chips and salsa or dip. Here are a few of my tex mex favorites!
Try this Tomatillo Salsa recipe for an authentic, tangy Mexican salsa verde. Perfect for pairing with tacos, enchiladas or a big bowl of chips!
My love for the farmer’s market inspired this delicious Watermelon Peach Salsa. You’ll love the fruit paired with the spice!
This Mango Salsa is tropical, refreshing, and totally delicious!
These Taco Tortilla Stacks have been made in our family for years! They are so easy to assemble ahead of time, and serve as a quick snack for a crowd. We enjoy ours served with salsa!
Need a delicious game day snack that won’t completely ruin your diet? Try making a batch of this Healthy Taco Dip.
How Long Does 7 Layer Mexican Dip Last
At my house, about one hour. Ha!
Seriously though….keep in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Obviously this dip is best fresh, as the layers don’t mingle and bleed together.
Once you’ve set it out though, don’t keep it out of the refrigerator more than a couple hours, otherwise you’ll have to throw it away.
IF I end up with some leftover taco dip after a party, I immediately refrigerate it. Serve a dollop of this dip on top of my Chicken Taco Soup or Slow Cooker Taco Chili. It’s the perfect garnish, I’m sure you’ll agree!
More Appetizer Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Taco Cheese ball
- Lemon Hummus
- Bruschetta
- Fruit Dip
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Loaded Potato Chip Dip
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section below!
7 Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups sour cream divided
- 2 packages taco seasoning divided
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 ½ cups guacamole
- 1 ½ cups salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
- 2 roma tomatoes diced
- 1 bunch romaine shredded
Instructions
- Choose your dish. I used a 13×9 baking dish, but a trifle bowl would work great too!
- Layer 1: Blend cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream and 1 package taco seasoning until smooth. Spread in bottom of dish.
- Layer 2: Meat or Beans. Brown your ground beef in a medium skillet over high heat until all the pink is out. Drain meat and add 1 package taco seasoning (no water needed). Spread meat over the first layer. If you prefer, use a can of refried beans instead of meat.
- Layer 3: Guacamole. Spread 1 1/2 cup of either homemade guacamole or already prepared guacamole over the meat.
- Layer 4: Sour cream. Spread over guacamole.
- Layer 5: Salsa or Pico de Gallo. Spread over sour cream.
- Layer 6: Shredded Cheese. Sprinkle your favorite cheddar or mexican blend cheese over the salsa.
- Layer 7: Add the finishing touch by sprinkling the diced tomato shredded lettuce on top. Can also add green onions and black olive slices if desired!
- Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy,
Notes
- Keep in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Obviously this dip is best fresh, as the layers don’t mingle and bleed together.
I love this recipe! Thanks so much!!
I put half taco seasoning with meat half with cream. I added rotel and cilantro. And added lil lemon juice with quac.
The way you layer it is way better than others I’ve seen!
Thank you! I love it too!
DO i need to warm the beans up before adding them as a layer? Or just cold, straight from the can?
I prefer them warmed.
Does the meat need to be warm when adding or can I cook it ahead of time and layer when it’s cooled off?
Cook ahead of time. You can add warm or wait for it to cool. If you are using chilled meat (after refrigerating it), you may want to warm it slightly so the grease comes off.
I am making this on Friday night, but just wondering … if just using refried beans, do I still need to use the taco sauce? Thanks in advance, and I will comment on how delicious this is once I make it 🙂
I personally would still use seasoning or it will be pretty bland. You can mix the seasoning into cream cheese layer.
This is awesome. Took it to a church luncheon. It was a big hit. Possible to freeze it? I have a friend I want to give it to but not for 5 days or so will it be til I can see her.
I’d like to make this ahead of time. Can I make it with the guacamole covered by other ingredients OR will the guacamole change colors???
The guacamole will not turn colors as long as you dont expose it to oxygen. No more than a day in the fridge. Adding a thin layer of lemon juice or water stops the oxidation but only for a short period of time.
Can I do it without meat and guacamole without changing measurements of other ingredients?
Yep!
Is this served cold?? I am hoping to use taco meat but wanted to see if it is good served cold.
Yes, serve cold 🙂
I’d like to make this for a picnic. Does the guacamole change color or do the layers protect it from the air ?
This dip is so delicious! I’ve made this recipe 2 times now. Yummy! I used both refried beans and taco meat together.Thank you for sharing! Taco seasoning is good as well! I reduced the salt some. Because I am lowering my family salt intake. Thanks for both.. yummy!😋
Yum! You had me at layered! And then I thought about Lasagna which is also layered! Count me in!??♀️??♀️??♀️
This delicious 7 layer dip is always the first thing to go when I bring it for parties!!!
Every party needs this delicious dip!
Ah, seven layers of deliciousness. It looks so good! Perfect for a party.
OH my goodness! This sounds absolutely amazing!! A must make!
When I see this on a food spread at a party, it’s always the first thing that I get!! YUM!!! Thank you!
This is the best dip. We love it both with and without tge meat. Perfect.