This classic 7 Layer Dip is a celebration favorite with everything there is to love in a dip. It starts with a layer of seasoned refried beans and then on to homemade guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes, chopped green onions, and olives. Give it a nice scoop with a crunchy tortilla chip and celebrate the fiesta in your mouth!

We love a good dip with a side of chips or crunchy veggies as a snack or an appetizer. Some of my other favorite dips include Buffalo Chicken Dip, Grilled Mexican Street Corn Dip, and our Jalapeno Popper Dip with Bacon.

7 layer dip in a 9x13 glass dish with a side of chips


Growing up, this dip was at every holiday gathering and summer party. It’s still one of my all-time favorites. The distinct layers of color and flavors always make it a crowd-pleaser, and it’s a cinch to throw together, especially if you take some shortcuts like using premade guacamole from the store.

I love it so much that I have even done a Greek twist on this 7 Layer dip, although this classic Tex Mex version is the one you see most often.

This is such a perfect recipe for any type of game day party, summer potluck, or even a backyard BBQ, especially if you are having a Mexican food theme going. But if not, this Tex Mex Dip still makes for a perfect appetizer that everyone will love.

a spoonful of 7 layer dip taken out of a 9x13 glass dish

One thing we do differently than most 7 Layer Dip recipes is that I like to bake it and serve it melty and hot! It’s not as easy to transport that way for potlucks, but if the party is at your house and you can serve this dip warm, oh man it’s good!

The trick is to bake the first four layers – beans, guac, sour cream, and cheese – until the cheese is melted before topping with the remaining layers. Obviously it’s delicious cold and we enjoy it that way too, but give it a try warm one of these days and you just might never look at 7 layer dip the same way again.

We serve this dip with tortillas chips, but it is also great with crunchy veggies for a healthier alternative. It is also gluten-free (just check the labels on those beans) and vegetarian so it’s a great option for guests with dietary needs.

a scoop of 7 layer dip on a tortilla chip

Recipe Ingredients

  • Refried Beans: You can make these yourself (It’s really simple in the instant pot) or just grab a couple cans at the store. Either way works great!
  • Taco Seasoning: You can make your own homemade taco seasoning (highly recommend!) or grab the packets at the store.
  • Guacamole: You can certainly go the store bought route – some grocery stores actually make pretty decent guac in house – but my homemade guacamole is best. You’ll need garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, salt, and most importantly, ripe avocados.
  • Sour Cream: Some 7 layer dips have you mix taco seasoning into the sour cream, but I prefer adding the seasoning to the beans and keeping the sour cream layer a beautiful, pure white. Plus, I like the flavor better this way anyway.
  • Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese always melts and tastes best, but you could use pre-shredded if you aren’t planning to heat up your 7 layer dip since melting won’t be a factor. I like to use a mix of sharp cheddar and monterey or pepper jack.
  • Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are my go-to choice for this recipe but really any kind of tomato will work.
  • Onions: I like to use green onions for this recipe.
  • Black Olives: A couple cans of the slices olives works great.
Ingredients for 7 layer dip. A bowl of taco seasoning, sour cream, refried beans, guacamole, olives, shredded cheese, fresh green onions and tomatoes

How to Make 7 Layer Bean Dip

  1. Combine the refried beans and taco seasoning in a large bowl, stirring well until smooth and combined. Spread evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish.
a glass bowl of refried beans with taco seasoning on top
  1. Make the guacamole layer by first mashing the garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro against the bottom or sides of a large bowl with the rounded bottom of a spoon to release their juices and oils. It really makes a difference! Then add the avocados, lime juice, salt, and cumin and mash until fairly smooth. Spread the guacamole evenly over the bean layer.
a bowl of avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, seasonings to make guacamole.
  1. Spread the sour cream over the guacamole. Be sure to go all the way to the edges of the dish to cover the guacamole to prevent it from browning.
  2. Sprinkle the cheese over the sour cream layer. If you want to bake your 7 layer dip and serve it hot, this is the point when you put it into a 375 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes until it’s hot through and the cheese has melted.
  1. Top with the diced tomatoes, green onions, and olives. Serve immediately if serving warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve if you are going the cold route.
A 9x13 pan of 7 layer dip with a side of chips and a container of tortillas

7 Layer Dip FAQ

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this dip a day in advance, although I recommend holding off on adding the diced tomatoes until shortly before serving. You could always chop them and store in a small container with the dip so all you have to do is sprinkle them on top.

How long is 7 Layer Dip good for?

This dip will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. If the guacamole is exposed, it will begin to brown, but is still edible. Leftover dip is super delicious for lunch the next day!

Can this dip be served hot or cold?

Yes. This dip is great served cold, at room temperature, or even baked a bit until it is warm. You may just want to wait to add your fresh veggies until after you bake.

a side view of 7 layer dips in a glass serving dish

Recipe Tips

  • If you don’t like one of the layers, just leave it off! Honestly, olives aren’t my favorite and I usually pick them off or only top half of the dip with them, lol. My kids love them though!
  • Other layer options would be to do a layer of shredded lettuce, add some fresh or pickled sliced jalapenos for more heat, throw on some grilled corn kernels, or even bulk it up with a layer of taco meat under the cheese!
  • Be sure to spread your layers as evenly as possible so they go all the way to the edges. This not only gives the best presentation, but it exposes less guacamole to the air, which is what causes it to go brown faster.
  • You can make this in clear plastic cups for individual servings. It’s such a cute presentation instead of the family style approach you see here, but be warned that it is definitely extra work!
  • Make this for Halloween by using a round platter and saving the sour cream for one of the last layers. Instead of spreading it, transfer the sour cream to a piping bag with a round tip and squeeze it on to make a spider’s web design on top, then make a couple of “spiders” using whole or halved olives for bodies and sliced olive pieces for legs!

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7 Layer Dip

5 from 3 votes
Amy Nash
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 servings
This classic 7 Layer Dip is a celebration favorite with everything there is to love in a dip. It starts with a layer of seasoned refried beans and then on to homemade guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes, chopped green onions, and delicious olives. Give it a nice scoop with a crunchy tortilla chip and celebrate the fiesta in your mouth!

Ingredients
  

Bean Layer

  • 32 ounces canned refried beans or 4 cups homemade
  • 1/4 cup taco seasoning

Guacamole Layer

  • 3-4 ripe avocados
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 jalapeno stem and seeds removed, finely diced
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

Other Layers

  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 2 cups grated cheese
  • 3-4 roma tomatoes diced
  • 3-4 green onions chopped
  • 4.5 ounces sliced black olives, drained

Instructions
 

  • Combine the refried beans and taco seasoning in a large bowl, stirring well until smooth and combined. Spread evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish.
  • Add the garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro to a large bowl. Use the bottom of a spoon to press and mash them against the bottom or sides of the bowl to release their juices and oils a bit. Then add the avocados, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Mash until fairly smooth. Spread the guacamole evenly over the bean layer.
  • Spread the sour cream over the guacamole. Be sure to go all the way to the edges of the dish to cover the guacamole to prevent it from browning.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the sour cream layer.
  • Top with the diced tomatoes, green onions, and olives. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This dip will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. If the guacamole is exposed, it will begin to brown, but is still edible.
  • You can use 2 cups of premade guacamole in place of the homemade version in this recipe. You could also go as simple as mashed avocados with the lime juice and salt if you are in a rush or don’t have cilantro or a jalapeno on hand.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 935mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 936IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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About the author

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Reader questions and reviews

  1. Tracy says:

    This is the absolute perfect party dip! We loved it and the kids are already asking for it again!

  2. Allyssa says:

    Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! So easy and tasty! Highly recommended!

  3. Liz says:

    This is a fail-proof dip! Everyone loves it!ย