Get the chips ready because this 7-layer dip recipe is a classic party appetizer with layers of refried beans, seasoned cream cheese, guacamole, salsa and plenty of toppings! It’s quick to put together and can be prepared ahead of time for game day, potlucks or parties.
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Why I Love This 7 Layer Dip
This 7-layer dip recipe is one of Spend with Pennies’ most requested party dips! It is easy to make, uses simple ingredients and it’s always one of the first to disappear.
- Flavor: Fresh, creamy, and zesty.
- Prep note: This dip can be made the night before. Store the toppings separately and sprinkle on top just before serving.
- Time-saving tips: Use pre-shredded cheese and premade guacamole
- Serving suggestions: Serve with tortilla chips or vegetables.
7 Layer Dip Layers
These classic 7 layers stay thick, neat and are easy to scoop.
- refried beans
- taco seasoned sour cream/cream cheese mixture
- guacamole
- salsa
- toppings (I use cheese, green onions, olives or tomatoes)
Variations
- Spicy: pickled jalapenos
- Fresh: shredded lettuce, bell pepper, and a sprinkle of cilantro
- Meaty: cooked and seasoned ground beef
How To Make The Best 7 Layer Dip
- Prepare the refried bean layer (full recipe below).
- Prepare the sour cream mixture.
- Layer the ingredients in a casserole dish and top with guacamole, salsa, and toppings.
- Chill before serving.
More Favorite Appetizer Recipes
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
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!