Seven-Layer Dip Recipe (Easy Appetizer)

Seven-layer dip is an easy appetizer with layers of beans, sour cream, avocado, salsa, cheese, olives and tomatoes. Perfect for game day and easy to serve as individual seven layer dip bites!

I love appetizers, and I if I had my way, I would probably eat them instead of bigger meals all the time. I think this is one of the reason that I enjoy the Super Bowl so much — it’s all about the appetizers and fun snacks! Oh, there’s the football, which I love, but hey, what’s a Super Bowl party without food?!

Classic 7-layer dip recipe consists of refried beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, olives and tomatoes. This easy dip is one of the best party appetizers out there. To make serving easier, I sometimes make the dip ahead of time and serve it in Tostitos scoops.

For more easy dip recipes, try my cheesy ground beef taco dip, or cheesy bean dip or pepperoni pizza dip and more easy appetizers perfect for the Big Game.

Ingredients

There are just a few simple ingredients you need for this Mexican party dip recipe. You can find them in most grocery stores if you don’t have these pantry staples at home. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Refried beans — I use a can, but you can make your own or use what you have.
• Guacamole — I either use homemade guacamole or I simply mash up avocados with lime juice or lemon juice and a little salt and pepper. In a pinch, use store-bought guacamole.
• Sour cream
• Salsa — Thick salsa or chunky salsa works best. Fresh pico de gallo is also good here.
• Shredded cheese — cheddar cheese, Mexican blend cheese or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack or Colby Jack
• Black olives
• Diced tomatoes – Roma tomatoes work well here.

How to Make 7 Layer Dip

First, spread the refried bean evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish or casserole dish. Then, add the avocado layer on top of the beans and a layer of sour cream over the guac. Add the salsa on top of the sour cream layer.

Finally, sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese, tomatoes and olive slices. For a pop of color and extra flavor, you can add sliced green onions or cilantro if you like.

How to Make Individual Seven Layer Dip Bites

If you want to make serving this delicious dip easier, spoon small portions of the dip into Tostitos Scoops or Fritos. Or, layer the dip in small plastic cups and arrange tortilla chips around the edge of the cups.

Check out that layering!

How to Store

Store this 7 layer taco dip in the refrigerator until ready to serve.It can be made a day in advance. I do recommend adding the salsa and remaining layers right before serving as the salsa tends to get runny. Leftover dip lasts 3-4 days.

Recipe Tips

If you are making fresh guacamole, add lime or lemon juice to prevent it from turning brown.

To keep the layers separate and neat, refrigerate the dip for a few minutes between layers. Gently spread each layer so the ingredients don’t mix.

For more flavor, mix the bean layer with taco seasoning or add some cooked taco meat for more protein.

You can sub a can of black beans for the refried beans. Just mash the beans well with a potato masher or puree in a blender or food processor.

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5 from 14 votes

Seven Layer Dip Recipe

By: Dee

Seven-layer dip is an easy appetizer with layers of beans, sour cream, avocado, salsa, cheese, olives and tomatoes. Perfect for game day and easy to serve as individual seven layer dip bites!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Refrigeration Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 20

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 16 oz can refried beans
• ▢ 2 cups guacamole or mashed avocados
• ▢ 16 oz container of sour cream
• ▢ 15.5 oz jar Medium Chunky Salsa
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
• ▢ 1 roma tomato diced
• ▢ 2 oz can sliced black olives drained
• ▢ Cilantro or green onions for garnish optional
• ▢ TOSTITOS® Scoops or tortilla chips optional for serving

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Instructions 

• Spread the beans evenly in the bottom of a large baking dish or casserole dish
• Spread a layer of guacamole over the beans
• Add the sour cream over the guacamole layer
• Spread the salsa over the sour cream
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the salsa
• Top with diced tomatoes and olive slices plus cilantro or chopped onions if using
• Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until slightly firm
• Spoon small portions into the Scoops, or serve with tortilla chips and serve

Notes

If making your own guacamole or mashed avocados, use 3 large avocados and the juice of 1 lime, plus sea salt and black pepper, to taste.

Drain the salsa to remove excess liquid if making ahead of time. Thick salsa works best.

You can sub 2 cans black beans, mashed for the refried beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 402mg, Potassium: 224mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 452IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 121mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

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Recipe published in 2016 and updated in 2024.