7 Layer Dip

Crowd-favorite 7 layer dip is a quick and easy Mexican layer dip made with beans, guacamole, sour cream, fresh salsa, cheese, olives, and green onions. Grab the chips!

Why you'll love seven layer dip

1. 7 layer bean dip is a well-known favorite for any gathering.
2. You can make layered bean dip ahead or at the last minute.
3. Serving this dip is fuss-free and super convenient.

Seven layer dip is an essential Super Bowl food that honestly belongs at every gathering. Classic Tex Mex ingredients like guacamole, refried beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, black olives, and green onions are layered in a pan and served with tortilla chips. It's simple, creamy, savory, cool, mildly spicy, and loved by everyone!

This 7 layer dip recipe is easy for any skill level and can be made ahead or at the last minute. When making ahead, the refried beans, fresh salsa, or guacamole can be made from from scratch a few days in advance. Or, buy the pre-packaged version for ultra convenience.

Since 7 layer bean dip is served chilled, there’s no need to bother with heating this scrumptious appetizer. Just serve it with tortilla chips and your guests know exactly what to do. In fact, it disappears fast!

Ingredient notes

• refried beans - Use homemade refried pinto beans or refried black beans for optimal flavor and texture. Pre-packaged beans are great for convenience.
• taco seasoning - This gets mixed into the refried beans. Use homemade taco seasoning or a store-bought packet.
• water - This is used in small amounts to adjust the consistency of the beans which makes them more spreadable. You can use salsa or bean juice, if desired.
• salsa - Fresh salsa such as pico de gallo or restaurant-style Mexican salsa brings authentic Mexican flavors to this 7 layer dip recipe. Jarred salsa picante or plain tomatoes can also be used.
• guacamole - Nothing beats this easy guacamole recipe, but there are some excellent packaged versions out there.
• sour cream - I like to use plain sour cream, but it's not uncommon to see taco seasoning mixed in with sour cream, which creates an orange layer. I prefer the white layer for contrast. You can do either.
• Mexican cheese blend - It doesn't get more convenient than pre-shredded cheese, but feel free to shred your own.
• canned black olives - Use sliced black olives or buy whole olives and slice as needed.
• green onions - Or fresh chives will be beautiful atop seven layer dip.

How to make 7 layer dip

These step-by-step photo instructions show you how to layer seven layer dip. You'll find details in the printable recipe card below.

Step 1: Mix together refried beans, taco seasoning, and liquid in a bowl until well-combined. This adds taco flavor to the beans and makes them easier to spread.

Step 2: Drain salsa in a mesh strainer to remove excess liquid. Spread beans as the first layer in the serving dish.

Step 3: Spread guacamole over beans, followed by a layer of salsa, then sour cream. I like to dollop each layer of ingredients over the surface, then gently spread to preserve the tidiness of the layers. When using a glass dish, I recommend spreading each layer to the edges for visual appeal.

Step 4: Add the final layers which include cheddar cheese, black olives, green onions, and a little more pico de gallo for a pop of color.

Serve seven layer dip chilled with tortilla chips. To store, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day for optimal freshness.

Recipe tips

This 7 layer bean dip recipe couldn't be easier, but these tips will ensure a beautiful presentation.

• If you make refried beans from scratch, or if you're adding a layer of seasoned taco meat, first cool down the cooked ingredients enough to prevent warming the other ingredients. This helps maintain the layered dip structure.

• Don't skip the step where you drain excess liquid from salsa using a fine mesh strainer. This helps prevent the dip becoming watery, which helps keep each layer in tact.

• The guacamole and sour cream should be well-chilled. This prevents them becoming runny, which helps define the layers. During assembly, scoop them in dollops, then use an offset spatula or back of a spoon to gently smooth out the layer.

• Since guacamole is prone to browning, you'll notice that I layer it under the sour cream. This prevents discoloring, which also helps preserve its beautiful, bright green color in this layered dip.

Can I make 7 layer dip ahead?

Yes! In fact, Mexican layer dip can be assembled and chilled 24 hours before your event. You can use homemade ingredients up to 5 days in advance. Or you can acquire the packaged ingredients several days ahead and store them unopened until it's time to assemble.

Serving recommendations

• This recipe makes a generous amount and can be made in two smaller pans. This way, a second, fresh round can await its time to shine while the first one gets devoured.

• Let layered dip rest at room temperature about 15 minutes before serving for easier scooping and serving.

• Enjoy 7 layer dip within two hours of non-refrigeration for food safety best practices.

• Serve seven layer dip with a large serving spoon to encourage scooping the dip from pan to plate and prevent the dreaded broken chips from scoop attempts.

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