Second only to a good cheesecake dip, this dish is so versatile, and the variety of layers give a new taste to each bite. This recipe is great for vegetarians, using beans and salsa. But you can just as easily make it for meat lovers using ground seasoned beef, or even shredded chicken. When served with spicy or cheesy chips, your guests won’t be able to get enough of this quick taco-like creation.
Seven-Layer Taco Dip
When setting the table for a party, you’ll want food that is as equally delicious as it is easy to eat. And what’s easier than chips and dip? Sure, you can put out a store-bought ranch dip with a selection of veggies, or salsa with tortilla chips. But if you want to level-up your dip game, this recipe is absolutely for you. Tacos are universally loved, and the flavors in this dip will make you feel like you’re biting into a crunchy taco. The layers used to make this dip are everything you might see in a good taco. Taco seasoned beans, light sour cream, cream cheese, salsa, tomatoes, pepper, and crunchy green onions make up the layers in this dish. Top it all off with shredded lettuce, olives, and more cheese, and you have seven layers that come together perfectly.
Ingredients
There are a few different ways to make this seven-layer taco dip. You might find some for vegans that use beans and vegan cheese spread. Or there are options packed with seasoned ground beef or even pulled pork. For this recipe, you will need:
Taco seasoning – You can use any kind of seasoning you prefer, choosing something more or less spicy depending on what you and your guests like best.Refried beans – Using canned beans will cut down on your prep time, but making your own really couldn’t be easier!Cream cheese – Adding cream cheese into the mix will give the sour cream a lighter flavor and more substance.Sour cream – If you’re not going to add too much spice, you can cut back a little, but the flavor always works in tacos.Salsa – I like to use a spicy or even fruity salsa, but you can use your favorite here.Tomatoes – Fresh chopped tomatoes make a great layer and give the dip an almost nacho-like feel.Bell pepper – These are as much for color as for flavor.Green onions – Some people find raw onion overpowering, but the mellow flavor from green onions is just the right amount. Iceberg lettuce – Shredded lettuce will give you that authentic taco finish.Black olives – Sliced black olives really make the dip pop when sprinkled over the top. Cheddar cheese – You can use any cheese here really, but I think cheddar adds great color and just the right amount of flavor.
Tips for the Best Dip
Using canned ingredients will make putting this dip together a breeze. All you’ll need to do is chop up the veggies and mix the other layers together. For the smoothest cream cheese layer, always use soft cream cheese that’s room temperature. It will be so much easier to incorporate the sour cream that way. If you’re going to make your own refried beans, try to get dried pinto beans and soak them overnight. Not only are dried beans cheaper, but they will make for a creamier end result. Since this recipe doesn’t include a layer of guacamole, you can make it ahead the night before. This will give everything time to set, and the flavors will be even better after a night in the fridge. If you’re going to add a layer of guacamole, make it and add it right before serving, so that it won’t go brown. A great way to serve this dip is in a glass dish, so your guests can see all those layers and really try to dig to the bottom. A big bowl of nacho cheese Doritos, or spicy Doritos, makes the perfect crunchy partner. I would even make up a batch of cheesy nachos to give it an extra delicious flavor boost. Another great way to change this up would be to add a layer of chicken taco dip. The shredded chicken, bean, corn, and cheese layer will blow your mind.
Is This Dip Served Hot or Cold?
This classic version of a seven-layer taco dip is served cold. Even if you incorporate a meat layer, it will still be served cold. Though, there are a few amazing hot dip recipes that are totally worth a try for your next party. But for a dip that you can make ahead and bring somewhere, this has to be the best! If you think you’ll be missing out on that warmth, try serving with hot nachos!
Can I Make Seven-Layer Taco Dip Ahead?
You can absolutely make this dip ahead. Even just making all components ahead is super easy. You can mix together the beans and seasoning, the cream cheese and sour cream, and have everything chopped and ready to go the night before. As mentioned above, since this recipe does not incorporate any guacamole, you can easily make it the whole dish up and cover it until you’re ready. It should hold in the fridge for two to three days, but since it’s so quick to make, I wouldn’t make it too far ahead. You’ll want to avoid the sour cream and veggies from becoming wet and loose. Click on a star to rate it!
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