This 7 Layer Dip is the life of the party, packed with creamy, cheesy, zesty layers that disappear fast once the chips come out. Easy to make ahead and loaded with Tex-Mex flavor, it’s the perfect appetizer for potlucks and family gatherings.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: 7 Layer Dip
- Flavor: This dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold taco flavor, with fresh guacamole, salsa, and fresh toppings in every bite.
- Time-Saving Tip: Use prepared guacamole, pre-shredded cheese, and sliced canned olives to cut down on prep time and make assembling this dip even quicker.
- Serving Suggestions: I like to top my 7-layer dip with black olives for a classic flavor, but diced tomatoes like pico de Gallo add a fresh, juicy contrast that’s just as delicious.
Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Mins (Just 15 Mins Prep!) Servings: 16, perfect for a crowd!
Ingredient Notes
- Salsa: Drain it well before layering to keep the dip thick, neat, and easy to scoop. The reserved liquid can be stirred into the refried beans for extra flavor and a smoother texture.
- Refried Beans: Canned refried beans create a sturdy, flavorful base that helps hold all the layers in place. Regular and fat-free refried beans work well in this recipe.
- Milk: A small amount of milk helps thin the refried beans, so they spread smoothly and evenly. For an extra boost of flavor, use the reserved salsa liquid instead.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese blends smoothly with the sour cream and taco seasoning, creating a rich, creamy layer that holds its shape and keeps the dip easy to scoop.
- Sour Cream: Adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavor while lightening the cream cheese layer. Greek yogurt can be used as a thicker, slightly tangier substitute.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds a bold, classic flavor and a delicious cheesy finish. Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend can be used for a slightly different twist.
- Black Olives or Tomatoes: Black olives add a salty, classic flavor, while diced tomatoes bring a fresh, juicy bite. Use one or both depending on your preference.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy 7 Layer Dip: Add sliced jalapeños, hot salsa, or pepper jack cheese.
- Extra Fresh: Top with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime just before serving.
- Meaty Version: Add a cooled layer of taco-seasoned ground beef between the beans and cream cheese layer.
How to Make 7 Layer Dip
- Combine the refried beans layer and spread in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Combine the cream cheese layer and gently spread on top.
- Spoon the guacamole over top.
- Drain the salsa and spread on top.
- Top with cheese and the remaining toppings (full recipe below) before serving.
Storing Leftovers
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Serving: Some liquid may separate as it sits, especially from the salsa and guacamole, so drain off any excess before serving leftovers. This dip is best served cold and does not need reheating.
- For Make-Ahead Prep: Assemble the dip up to 1 day in advance. Add green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, or other fresh toppings just before serving for the best texture.
Freezing this dip is not recommended as it will become watery when defrosted.
Easy Party Dips
Did you enjoy this 7 Layer Dip? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups salsa
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning about 2 tablespoons
- 1 cup guacamole prepared
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sliced black olives or diced tomatoes
- 4 green onions sliced
- chopped fresh cilantro for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Place salsa in a sieve and drain the liquid into a small bowl (this keeps your dip from getting runny).
- In a small bowl, combine refried beans and milk (or you can use the liquid from the salsa if you prefer). Mix until smooth and spread in the bottom of a 2 qt baking dish or pan.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning with a hand mixer on medium speed. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the beans and spread evenly.
- Spoon guacamole over cream cheese and gently spread. Add the drained salsa and gently spread.
- Top with cheese, olives/tomatoes and green onions.
- Chill 1 hour before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.
Video
Notes
- This dip can be prepared up to a day in advance.
- Additional toppings such as cilantro or jalapenos can be added.
- Using a hand mixer for the beans and sour cream layers ensures the dip is fluffy and easy to scoop.
- Tightly cover leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Some separation may occur when storing, drain off any liquid if needed.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 168 | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 702IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food
Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex Mex© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
What about the Salsa?????
The salsa is the first ingredient, it’s drained in step 1, and added in step 4.
The best
100%%
We love ❤️ this dip making for Super Bowl
Love the recipe
Liked that things can be interchanged. Also adding the seasoning. Added jarred pickled jalapeño and green onions
I took this dip to a block party this weekend. Everyone kept asking “who made the dip, it’s delicious”, and it really was. I’ll make this again and again. Thank You!
That makes us so happy to hear Diane! So glad everyone enjoyed it.
This was the absolute BEST 7 layer dip EVER!
Gave 4 stars only because I feel too one is perfect.
Used this recipe for a game night. It was talked about most of the night. Glad I did it.
plate was empty when I took it home. Definitely will make it again. Yum!
Sounds like a 5 star dish to me :) Glad to hear it was such a hit!
Absolutely delicious everytime, and packs a healthy punch too. high protein, low carb, healthy fats, this dip is a winner any way you look at it.
The dip was super delicious and I will use this recipe again, but…the prep time is not 15 minutes, as stated, if you include opening cans, mixing, spreading, cutting, etc…It probably took an honest 40 minutes to prep the ingredients and for putting the dip together. I certainly don’t mind the prep time, but it took far longer than 15 minutes for me. Most importantly, though, this is a great recipe!
This is a great recipe. I’ve made it several times because my family requests it for gatherings. To fill a 9×13 dish, I typically use more of the ingredients than listed in the recipe, about twice as much. Also, another thing I do is chill it for 15 minutes between layers to firm it up a bit to help with spreading the layers. It takes more time that way, but makes it easier to spread.
This was so well liked at a recent party I hosted. I did listen to some other comments and decided to make this in a 9 x 9 pan. No trouble spreading here! The only thing I changed was not using the entire 16 oz of beans. Thanks for sharing.
Made this for a ladies’ night in dinner party I hosted, and everyone really enjoyed it! To jazz it up a bit more, I used homemade refried beans instead of canned and pico de gallo instead of salsa. It was very fresh and flavorful, and all the layers were intact the next day. (Perhaps because pico de gallo isn’t as watery as salsa.) :)
I always use this recipe!! It’s always a big hit!
I made this for a party, and people said it was the best dish of all. It ran completely out. People were scrapping the bottom of the dish! Next time, I’ll have to make a double batch. I really think the taco seasoning added a great flavor. Thank you!
You’re very welcome Yolie! So happy to hear that!
Thank you for posting this, I was going to buy some pre-made at the store for a Cinco de Mayo party, but it looked kinda sad, so in the store I searched for a recipe and found yours. Sooo glad I did! I did a practice run today, and it was beautiful, delicious and easy! Our potlucks are pretty cutthroat, your recipe will earn much admiration and appreciation!
I am so glad you loved this recipe and can’t wait for you to bring it to your potluck Lynn!
I made this for a Super Bowl party and it was eaten before the game even started! Question, do you think it can be made the night before, without the onions and tomatoes?
Absoutely! 7 layer dip lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. The longer it is stored, the more the layers will bleed together and it can get a bit watery (I just drain it off). After the first 24 hours, it may not look pretty, but I can assure you it will still taste uh-maz-ing!
I second the prior commenter who said you should double everything except the beans. I had a hard time making 1 cup of guac cover the entire 9×13 pan and ended up just adding more of most of the layers simply to have enough to cover the whole pan. Not sure if most people are just using a smaller pan, but the volume of material is just insufficient for the size of the pan. Could easily have doubled everything and still had it fit in the pan.
I love this dip!! It’s really good and easy to make. I decided to add salsa con queso and took out the guacamole. Overall I love this recipe and so does my family!