This Mexican 7 layer dip is an iconic and easy appetizer recipe that's ready in 15 minutes. Layers of seasoned refried beans, gooey melted cheese, creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, and classic toppings piled on top. Whether you're serving it with crunchy tortilla chips, soft tortillas, or hard tacos, one thing's for sure- once you put it out, it'll vanish in no time!
In This Post
The Best Mexican 7 Layer Dip Recipe
- Made in just 15 minutes!
- Comes together easily
- Always a crowd favorite- always the first to disappear!
- Loaded with your favorite taco ingredients
- Totally customizable, adjust based on preferences
- Comes together easily (even kids can do it!)
- Can be assembled ahead of time
Grab These Ingredients
- Beans: Refried beans are the base of the dip. To easily spread the beans and add flavor you'll heat the refried beans with the spices for a few minutes.
- Cheese: I like using a combination of monterey jack and sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use what you prefer. Even add a kick with pepper jack cheese!
- Sour Cream: I prefer to use the sour cream that comes in a container as it more easily spreads.
- Salsa: You can make your own or grab your favorite from the store.
- Guacamole: Make your own or grab store-bought- I typically do less spice when it's for a crowd.
- Corn: You can use yellow, white or a mixed. Grab a frozen bag of corn from the freezer or use the leftover corn on the cob in the refrigerator.
- Onion: Adding diced onion gives the dip a crunch. You can either use red or white onion- if using red onion, I recommend more finely dicing since it has a stronger flavor.
- Cilantro: If you're not a fan of cilantro, no need to add it. I love to add it for the freshness that it brings.
- Lettuce: Roughly chop romaine lettuce or you could even use shredded cabbage.
- Olives: Give the olives a rough chop before sprinkling them on.
- Olive Oil: Needed to warm up the beans.
- Water: Only if needed to thin out the refried beans.
- Spices: If you're using plain beans, adding a bit of salt, pepper and cumin helps bring out the flavor.
Step by Step: How to Make 7 Layer Dip
This recipe is really simple, mainly layering ingredients on top one another- the perfect recipe for those little hands to help too! I've included some step by step process photos below.
- Warm the Beans: Heat the beans over medium heat in a small saucepan with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin until they are hot. If they are too thick you can add 1-2 Tablespoons of water. If you're using refried beans that have spices already, just warm them. Then, spread the beans into a pie dish (or baking dish) and immediately add the cheese on top for it to melt.
- Layer Ingredients: Once the cheese is melted, spread the guacamole, sour cream and then salsa on top.
- Add the Toppings: Pile on your preferred toppings like corn, red onion, cilantro, olives, jalapeños, and lettuce.
Other Variations & Substitutions
- Beans: Most layer dips start with refried beans but it doesn't NEED to. I've swapped the refried beans with whole black beans or roughly mashed black beans to switch it up.
- Toppings: Once the salsa is added, the toppings are completely based on preference. Don't like olives, don't add them. Add diced tomatoes or a layer of chopped pickled jalapeños for a kick. It's a very forgiving recipe- make it yours!
- Spices: I recommend using salt, pepper and cumin as the base for the beans (either canned refried or whole beans) unless they already have flavoring like these refried pinto beans or refried black beans. I often use those for many things (not sponsored, just love them!)
- Greek Yogurt: Easily replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or mix them together.
- Double the Recipe: If you're feeding a large crowd, I recommend doubling the recipe (or you could do half with refried beans and the other half with black beans) in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
FAQ About 7 Layer Taco Dip
- What is 7 Layer Dip Made of? Most 7 layer dips are made with beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa, corn, tomatoes, and onion. Each recipe varies slightly and often include more than 7 layers.
- Can You Make 7 Layer Dip the Night Before? Yes! You can fully assemble this Mexican layer dip, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.
- What Kind of Dish Do You Serve 7 Layer Dip In? I recommend using a clear pie dish or baking pan for guests to see the layers. This recipe requires a 9-inch (or slightly larger) pie dish or baking pan and a 9x13-inch baking pan if doubling the recipe.
Mexican 7 Layer Dip
Description
This Mexican 7 layer dip is an iconic and easy appetizer recipe that's ready in 15 minutes. Layers of seasoned refried beans, gooey melted cheese, creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, and classic toppings piled on top. Whether you're serving it with crunchy tortilla chips, soft tortillas, or hard tacos, one thing's for sure- once you put it out, it'll vanish in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can refried beans
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons water or liquid from salsa
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 ¼ cup shredded cheese, cheddar cheese or monterey jack
- 1 ¼ cup guacamole
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- 1 cup yellow or white corn, cooked
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Set aside a 9-inch (or slightly larger) pie dish or baking pan. If you want guests to see the layers, use a clear dish. Warm the refried beans, olive oil, water, salt, pepper, and cumin over medium heat until heated through.
- Spread the refried beans into the pie dish and immediately sprinkle the shredded cheese on top in an even layer. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into the beans- this is important so the next layer can spread easily.
- Carefully spread the guacamole over the cheese, then spread the sour cream over the guacamole.
- Spoon the salsa over the sour cream (try to avoid the excess liquid as best you can.) Sprinkle on the toppings: red onion, corn, black olives, lettuce and cilantro.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days. Serve with tortilla chips, soft tortillas or hard tacos.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can fully assemble this Mexican 7 layer dip, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: I don't recommend freezing this dip as it won't thaw properly.
- Beans: Most layer dips start with refried beans but it doesn't NEED to. I've swapped the refried beans with whole black beans or roughly mashed black beans to switch it up. You could even do both, whether you mix it or spread half on either side.
- Spices: I recommend using salt, pepper and cumin as the base for the beans (either canned refried or whole beans) or even taco seasoning unless they already have flavoring like these refried pinto beans or refried black beans. I often use those for many things (not sponsored, just love them!)
- Sour Cream: Easily replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or mix them together. I've done it and no one even noticed!
- Cheese: I like using a combination of monterey jack and sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use what you prefer. Even add a kick with pepper jack cheese! Make sure you add it immediately on top of the beans so the cheese can melt into the beans.
- Toppings: The toppings are completely based on preference. Don't like olives, don't add them. Add diced tomatoes or a layer of chopped pickled jalapeños for a kick. It's a very forgiving recipe- make it yours!
- Double the Recipe: You can easily double this recipe using a 9x13-inch baking dish if you're feeding a LARGE crowd! Have some fun with it- use half refried beans and the other half black beans or make one side spicer than the other.
Nutrition
Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 523IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SimpleEverydayRecipes or tag #simpleeverydayrecipes!
Jason says
Made this with dairy free cheese and cashew cream instead of sour cream and it was awesome.