7 Layer Dip
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Grab your favorite chips and make this easy 7 Layer Dip recipe. A popular Mexican-inspired party food that’s the perfect appetizer for any occasion. This delicious dip has seven layers of ingredients, starting with a base layer of refried beans, followed by guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and finally, chopped tomatoes and sliced olives.

Look at that mouthwatering picture of this 7 layer dip! Have I gotten you in the mood for a party yet? A party is never complete without a few tasty dips. Caramelized onion dip, Mexican street corn dip and this seven layer dip are among few of my favorites to make.
More of my favorite appetizer include veggie pizza, crockpot buffalo chicken Dip and maybe some pizza monkey bread. I’m telling you that’s all we need for a party! Ok…well maybe a party needs one more thing – a boozy drink! This easy sangria recip and skinny margaritas are always party favorites.
7 Layer Dip is a classic appetizer that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or even just a casual family movie night just like our favorite Easy Taco Dip. As the name suggests, it is made up of seven layers of delicious ingredients that are stacked on top of each other to create a flavorful and colorful dip.
Serve it with warm tortilla chips and guests can scoop up a bit of each layer for a tasty and satisfying bite.
Why You’ll Love Seven Layer Dip!
- This 7 layer dip recipe is so easy to make! It’s quick and easy appetizer that doesn’t require much work. Just layer the ingredients and serve.
- Easily customize this versatile dip to make it exactly what you want. You can make it vegetarian, dairy-free, spicy, etc.!
- Seven layer dip is always a crowd pleaser, so it will be the hit of your party. I’ve never hosted a party where it wasn’t gone by the end of the night!
What’s in 7 Layer Dip?
- Salsa – I recommend using thick and chunky salsa. It tends to be far less watery and works a lot better in this recipe.
- Refried beans – If you make homemade refried beans, make sure to cool them before you spread them in the pan. Otherwise, canned beans work great and there’s no need to heat them before adding them to this recipe!
- Sour cream – Full-fat sour cream is the best option, as low fat can become runny and make this dip a little watery.
- Taco seasoning – Homemade taco seasoning provides the best and boldest flavor. However, I like the low sodium version of the store-bought seasonings and it’s a great option if you’d like to cut the sodium content of this 7 layer dip.
- Guacamole – Fresh guacamole is best, but you can grab a container from the store if you are in a hurry.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – The flavor will be so much better if you shred cheese yourself. Use whatever variety of cheese you want! Mexican cheese and Monterey Jack cheese are both great options.
- Black olives – Be sure to fully drain a can of sliced black olives before using them! You can also leave them out if you’re not a fan of the flavor.
- Green Onions – Dice green onion and put them on top of 7 layer beans dip for extra flavor.
How to Make 7 Layer Bean Dip
- Using the fine mesh strainer, strain all of the excess liquid from the chunky salsa. This will keep your dip from getting watery.
- Spread the refried beans on the bottom of the 9×13 baking dish.
- Then combine sour cream and taco seasoning in a small mixing bowl, and spread it over the refried beans in an even layer.
- To build the next layers, spoon guacamole over the seasoned sour cream and gently spread it out so it fully covers the sour cream layer.
- Spoon the strained salsa on top of guacamole layer and then gently it spread out evenly.
- Top the 7 layer dip with shredded cheese, then sliced olives and lastly with green onions.
- Chill the dip for at least an hour before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite veggies.
How to Store Leftover 7 Layer Dip
Place any leftover dip into an airtight container or leave it in the serving dish and cover tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
This dip is best enjoyed within 24 hours because the lettuce will start to wilt and guacamole will start to turn brown, but it is fine to eat past that time. I do not recommend freezing seven layer dip.
Can I add meat to 7 Layer Dip?
Yes! Cook one pound of ground beef until no pink remains and drain it very well through a strainer. Then, add some taco seasoning to it for flavor. Allow the browned meat to cool completely and layer it in between the beans and sour cream mixture.
What Can I Do With Leftover 7 Layer Dip?
So the party is over and you have leftovers? Here’s what you do!
- Top off a crunchy tostada – Add some cooked taco meat if you want or just spread this creamy dip on a tostada shell and eat up!
- Wrap it into a burrito – Using a flour shell, you have everything you need for a tasty bean burrito! You can even heat it up for a warm and tasty lunch, dinner, or snack.
- Quesadillas – Slather a helping of seven layer dip into a flour tortilla and then grill! YUM!!
Pro Tips!
- Make this dip spicy by using hot taco seasoning, adding some sliced jalapeños instead of olives, and drizzling a little hot sauce over the top layers.
- For best results, make this dip only an hour or two before you plan to serve it. That way, the lettuce and guacamole are as fresh as can be!
- Spread each layer evenly across the baking dish so that there isn’t more of one layer in random sections.
This tasty dip is always a hit with any crowd! You only need a few minutes and simple ingredients to prep a dip that is a perfect party appetizer.
More Party Dip Recipes!
What’s your favorite party dip recipe? A few more of my favorites are:
- This Cheesy Corn Dip Recipe is a great additions to any summer cook-out!
- Make some Creamy Jalapeno Dip to spice up taco Tuesday!
- Kickin’ Ranch Corn Dip is loaded with delicious flavor that anyone would love.
- This Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip is a fun twist on the classic chili cheese flavor combo.
- Love salsa? Then you absolutely have to try this Creamy Salsa Dip.
- Caramelized Onion Dip is a delicious dip full of flavor that everyone devours!
- Cheesy Bruschetta Dip – Loaded with Cheese, Tomatoes and Garlic this dip is to die for and a must make!
- Cookies and Cream Dip – Quick, Easy Sweet Dip that’s Loaded with Oreos!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
7 Layer Dip
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups salsa
- 16 ounces refried beans canned
- 1 ½ cup sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 oz packet
- 2 cups guacamole
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces sliced black olives canned, drained
- 4 green onions diced
Instructions
- Place salsa into a fine mesh strainer and drain any liquid. This will keep your dip from getting watery.
- Spread refried beans on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.
- In a small bowl combine sour cream and taco seasoning. Spread over refried beans.
- Spoon guacamole over sour cream and gently spread it out so it covers the sour cream mixture.
- Spoon salsa on top of guacamole and spread out evenly.
- Top with cheese, olives and green onions
- Chill 1 hour or more before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or veggies.
Robin G says
Fabulous party dip!
Julie Evink says
We agree! So good!
Renee Goerger says
This is like my favorite thing to munch on. I love the creamy texture of the dip along with the crispy chips.
Julie Evink says
One of our favorites too!
Danielle Green says
Potluck and picnic season will be upon us soon, and this 7 layer dip is a great take along!
Julie Evink says
It’s the perfect thing for these occasions!
Tania Knitter says
Great start but still needed more. Very salty. Almost like taking the taco seasoning and eating it straight from the packet.
Julie Evink says
I always use a low sodium taco seasoning that might help. I’m sorry you didn’t like it!
Tammy Marquart says
This dip was DELICIOUS!!! Thanks for sharing this with us!! It will be perfect for potluck at the lake this summer!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed my treat!
Genevieve says
So I got your email with this recipe at 1:30. It’s now 1:46 and I have it all put together. I honestly could not wait so dug in right away. Oh my goodness!!! Soooo good!!! I’ll refrigerate the rest to share with the family…although, had I made this earlier, I might have eaten this whole thing myself throughout the day. Lol Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Julie Evink says
I love this! So glad you enjoyed it!
Janice says
Wonderful and so easy
Julie Evink says
We agree!