Mexican 7 Layer Dip
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Mexican 7 Layer Dip is an easy appetizer to make for parties. Layers of Tex-Mex flavors come together to make a simple, cold layered Mexican dip to serve with tortilla chips.
7 Layer Bean Dip may be one of my favorite dip recipes. It’s the ultimate combination of Mexican flavors, including refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and black olives.
This classic dip recipe is super easy to make, and it’s great for game day parties, holiday parties, and summer potlucks because it can be made ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator, and served cold or at room temperature.
Recipe Overview
- No cooking: everything is layered straight into the dish.
- Chill time: at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- Serves: 12 as an appetizer.
- Dish: a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
What are the Seven Layers in 7 Layer Dip?
- Refried beans
- Taco seasoning ( I like to use my homemade taco seasoning)
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Roma tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Green onions
If you love this easy dip make sure to try our 5 Layer Greek Dip too! Layers of Hummus, tzatziki, and chopped veggies. It’s another great dip for parties!
How to Make 7 Layer Bean Dip:
Step 1 – Season beans. In a small bowl stir together the refried beans and taco seasoning. This gives the dip a boost of Mexican flavor. Just a tip, if you’re scaling this recipe up, I would add the usual amount of taco seasoning to the refried beans and then continue to add taco seasoning as needed, until you reach the taste you desire.
Step 2 – Layer 1. Spread the refried beans in the bottom of a 13” x 9 “ casserole dish.
Step 3 – Layer 2. Top with a layer of guacamole. If you’re making your own add a little extra lime juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to pack in some extra flavor.
Step 4 – Layer 3. Spread a layer of sour cream over the guacamole.
Step 5 – Layer 4. Add a layer of shredded cheese over the sour cream.
Step 6 – Layer 5. Next a layer of fresh tomatoes. You can also use a pico de gallo or chunky salsa if you prefer. Just make sure you drain the excess juice off before adding to the dip.
Step 7 – Layers 6 and 7. Top with black olives and green onions.
Step 8 – Store. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Expert Tips
- Drain everything wet. Tomatoes, salsa, and pico release juice as they sit. Draining them keeps the top layers from turning watery.
- Spread gently. Drop spoonfuls of guacamole and sour cream over the layer below, then spread from the center out so the layers don’t mix.
- Seal out the air. Guacamole browns when air reaches it. Keeping the sour cream layer all the way to the edges of the dish helps protect it.
- Top it last if you’re making it early. If you’re making it 2 days ahead, add the tomatoes and green onions the day you serve it so they stay fresh.
- Use a clear dish. A glass dish shows off all seven layers on the party table.
Variations
I’m giving you the traditional recipe today, but one of the things I love most about this is that there is no wrong way to do it. I make mine with guacamole and fresh tomatoes, but my mom makes hers with shredded lettuce and a layer of salsa. You could even land somewhere in between and make a fresh pico de gallo for your tomato layer.
In this recipe you mix the refried beans with taco seasoning, but I have also had a version where you mix the sour cream and taco seasoning. You can also make it with taco meat (ground beef and taco seasoning) if you like!
A few more easy swaps:
- Cheese: use a Mexican cheese blend or pepper jack instead of cheddar.
- Heat: add sliced jalapeños with the olives and green onions.
- Party cups: layer everything into small clear cups so guests can grab their own.
Any way you make it will be delicious, and I promise it will disappear quickly at parties. So don’t hesitate to make this dip your own by adding and changing things based on what you like best.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it with sturdy tortilla chips or corn chip scoops that can hold up to all the layers. Veggie sticks like bell peppers and celery work too. For a bigger party spread, pair it with a hot dip like Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip or Mississippi Sin Dip.
The great thing about this dip, other than the fact that it’s totally delicious, is that it is served cold or at room temperature. You don’t have to cook anything!
Refried beans are already cooked so all you have to do it scoop them out of a can, stir them together with taco seasoning and your bean layer is ready.
You can make this dip a day ahead of time and cover it with plastics wrap, or better yet, make it in a pyrex dish with a lid, and store it in the refrigerator. 7 Layer Taco Dip is served cold, so when it’s party time you pull it out of the fridge. Open up a bag of chips, and you’re ready to party!
This delicious make-ahead party dip can be made up to 2 days in advance.
The only possible down side to making it this far in advance is that the guacamole can begin to brown slightly. The layer of sour cream on top of it should slow this process but any air that reaches the guacamole will cause it to become discolored. It’s still completely safe to eat it just doesn’t look as nice!
We prefer to make ours the night before for the best results.
Not much! A 6 layer dip usually leaves out one of the toppings, most often the olives or the green onions. Use this same recipe and skip the layer you don’t want.
Storage
How long can you keep 7 layer dip?
If stored properly in an airtight container, this dip can last 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Be aware the avocados will begin to brown once exposed to air, but it is still safe to eat in that time period.
Can you freeze 7 layer dip?
It’s best not to. The sour cream, guacamole, and fresh toppings turn watery and grainy after thawing.
Want More Easy Dip Recipes?
Hot Dips:
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Mississippi Sin Dip
- Chicken Enchilada Dip
- Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Cheesy Corn Dip
- Caramelized Onion and Bacon Skillet Dip
Cold Dips:
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Mexican 7 Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 32 ounces Refried beans
- 2 tablespoons Taco seasoning
- 2 cups Guacamole
- 2 cups Sour cream
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 cups Diced Roma Tomatoes , diced
- 2.25 ounces Black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup Green onions , finely chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the refried beans and taco seasoning. Stir until smooth.
- Spread the refried beans in the bottom of a 13” x 9 “ casserole dish.
- Top with a layer of guacamole.
- Spread a layer of sour cream over the guacamole.
- Add a layer of cheese over the sour cream.
- Next a layer of fresh tomatoes.
- Top with black olives and green onions.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This post first appeared on Real Housemoms where I’m a contributor.
This is the best! A huge hit with my church circle. I made my guacamole using four avocados, lime juice, a little mayo, some chopped cilantro and about 1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onions. Added salt and pepper to taste. So I didn’t put the green onions on top. I have seen many variations of this recipe, some adding shredded lettuce and even taco meat. You can go wrong. It’s simply a great hit at all gatherings!
Can you leave out the guacamole in this 7 layer dip
Sure, call it 6 layer dip!
Easy,good
Every time I make this my refriedbeans are so stiff the chips just break trying to scoop it out. Any suggestions to make the retried beans a little softer?
Try mixing them with a little salsa or a little sour cream to give them a looser texture.
Good recipe. Made a smaller batch using only one can of beans and I used a can of RO•TEL mild diced tomatoes with green chilies so I don’t have to chop veggies.
Made this and it’s awesome.
Thanks!
Hi!! Was wondering what is your mom’s version with the lettuce?
Thank you!
Hi! She doesn’t do the guacamole instead she washes her lettuce and pats it dry really well then chops it up and put it on in place of the guacamole. The best layer order if you do this is: Seasoned beans, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, salsa, black olives, green onions.
goody yum yum yum sweet and savery vary good