Our family loves “dips” — any type of dip. One of our most favorite hearty out-by-the-pool and/or back-yard-picnic snacks is a delicious (and super simple) 7-layer dip.
This dip is SO quick and easy to whip up, you can mix up the layers based on what you have in the house, you can make it several hours or even a full day in advance, and it pairs well with almost any type of chip, pita, cracker, pretzel, raw veggie, etc.
Told you it’s a winner!
I recently made this dip (again) for a friends’ gathering, and despite making a double batch, both dishes were scraped clean.
In fact, I didn’t even get my phone out soon enough to take a picture of the finished product before people were already digging in.
As I mentioned above, there are dozens of ways to mix up this recipe based on your own taste preferences and what you have in the house — and of course, you can easily omit ingredients to make a 4 or 5 layer dip, or add ingredients to make an 8 or 9 layer dip.
The possibilities are endless!
If you’re looking for a ridiculously easy, make-ahead cold side dish or snack for your own family or an upcoming summer gathering, this layer dip should do the trick!
Easy 7-Layer Chip Dip
Ingredients
- 2 c. refried beans (or a 16 oz. can)
- 8 oz. sour cream
- 3 T. taco seasoning (or a 1 oz. packet)
- 2 c. guacamole (see notes below)
- 1 can (16 oz.) black beans; rinsed and drained
- 1 can (16 oz.) diced tomatoes; drained (or 3-4 fresh Roma tomatoes)
- 1 c. green onions; sliced
- 2 c. shredded cheese
More Layers (optional)
- Diced peppers (go as spicy as you dare!)
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced black olives
- Taco meat (cooked and cooled)
- Multiple cheese layers
- Taco sauce or hot sauce
- Crushed tortilla chips, Doritos, or corn chips (save these for the top)
- Shredded lettuce (you'd also want to save this for near the top)
Instructions
- Spread refried beans over the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish (or TWO 9" pie plates)
- In a small bowl, mix sour cream and taco seasoning. Spread over beans.
- Spread guacamole over sour cream mixture
- Layer drained black beans, tomatoes, and green onions over guacamole
- Add any additional layers (see "more layers" above)
- Top with shredded cheese
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve
- Serve with your favorite chips, pretzels, crackers, pitas, tortillas, raw veggies (or even just a spoon!!)
Notes
This 7-layer dip is an excellent make-ahead snack, appetizer, or side dish -- just be sure to drain the tomatoes and black beans well so they don't add lots of liquid to the dip.
Layer dip is also a really great way to use up extra odds and ends of whatever veggies, sauces, dips, chips, crackers, etc. you have in your fridge and pantry!
Here are quick links to my recipes for homemade ingredients:
- Refried beans (in the slow cooker)
- Taco seasoning (this is a great gift in cute spice bottles)
- Guacamole
- Home-canned tomatoes
Get creative and add your own layers too -- there's no "right" way to make this dip!
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Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 308Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 40mgSodium 814mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 6gSugar 4gProtein 12g
Nutritional information is approximate and does not account for additional ingredients or added toppings.
I always make this dip ahead of time — not only because it’s easier that way, but also because I like to let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Truthfully, I usually make it the night before and keep it tightly covered in the fridge until we’re ready to eat — it can’t get any easier than that.
The longest any leftovers have lasted in our refrigerator is 2 days — but that’s only because we always eat it so quickly, not because it goes bad!
More Great Dip Recipes!
What’s your favorite dip recipe?
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Carrie says
Our family loves a version of this dip! I have recently started buying no salt tortilla chips and find they make the dip even more delicious!
Calliope says
My favorite dip is hummus and Kalamata (my city) olives mixed with grilled red peppers paste.
Now pls tell me…in which recipes are refried beans used? And how would you serve them on their own? Are refried beans considered a type of dip?
Thanks!
Andrea says
haha — we love refried beans and have them as a side dish for almost all our mexican meals — we dip chips in them, or just eat them with a spoon. Maybe that’s gross to some… we do put cheese on top. They are yummy and easy!
Anna says
Interesting I’ve never tried it with black beans…ours has olives on top instead. I will have to try it!
Andrea says
yeah, we really do not like olives and all our kids like black beans — so it’s a good swap on my part 🙂
Stacie says
I love this dip, however I am going to try your version, as it looks delish! I also LOVE your cowboy caviar dish! My sons birthday is friday and his favorite home cooked meal is quesadillas, so I will also be making the 7 layer dip and cowboy caviar! Good timing on this post! Thanks!
Kelly says
Looks delicious! I’ve had the Mexican layered dip at other people’s parties, but I don’t think I’ve ever made it myself… will have to keep it in mind!
My favorite dip is the layered Greek dip from Our Best Bites. It’s sort of the same idea as this one, but with cream cheese & feta (mixed), hummus, lettuce, tomato, olives, and feta cheese. You scoop it up with pita chips.
Anna says
Hi Kelly,
Your greek dips looks interesting. My husband loves lettuce. Is that the full recipe to make it?
Amber Woods says
We do this same recipe in the winter but stick it in the oven for about 20 minutes until it is warm throughout and the cheese gets bubbly. It is great this way also.
Candis says
I was wondering if this could be baked, yummy. I might try it but leave out the avocado though; now sure if that would bake well.
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
Yum! This looks awesome! I’ve never seen a dip like this with the guac as a layer.
Deni says
This recipe looks so good! Your blog continues to be my favorite, I look forward to your posts every morning! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks so much Deni!