7 Layer Dip

5 from 12 votes

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This 7 Layer Dip is a classic appetizer that everyone loves! Packed with beans, cheese, salsa and all things Mexican, grab some chips and dig in! For all your party needs, check out my recipe archive of appetizers! I love love love this recipe because (1) it’s so simple to make, your kids could do it (2) it’s the kind of appetizer you could bring to a party and know everyone will love it (3) it’s full of vegetables and beans so you don’t need to feel the least bit of guilt for eating the entire thing (4) you don’t have to turn the stove on.

dipping chip into 7 layer dip

What’s in 7 Layer Dip?

My 7 Layer Dip is absolutely loaded with goodies. The main seven layers are black beans, sour cream, salsa, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, bell pepper, and avocado. Plus a garnish of cilantro, lime juice, and scallions.

Easy Substitutions

If you don’t have my full list of ingredients to make this recipe as stated, feel free to make it your own by subbing out and adding in ingredients. Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started:

  • Black Beans – I use black beans that I mash up a little bit. It’s easier to dip your chip into without breaking, it leaves a better texture and black beans means no fat! Feel free to use another type of bean.
  • Sour Cream – I like to use the light stuff but you can use full fat too.
  • Salsa – any jarred or homemade salsa works here. I buy the southwest kind.
  • Cheddar Cheese – this is simple and affective. You can always experiment here and switch out cheddar for pepper jack, queso fresco or cotija cheese.
  • Roma Tomatoes, Green Bell Pepper and Avocado – lots of healthy fresh produce in this chip dip. Use whichever veggies you like best! Or even try some peppers (jalapeños or poblanos are great)!
  • Cilantro, Lime Juice, Scallion, and Black Pepper – if you don’t like cilantro you can simply omit it!

Can I Add Meat?

Absolutely! You can cook some ground beef, chicken, or pulled pork in some store bought or homemade taco seasoning for a fantastic 8th layer.

7 Layer Dip in a shallow bowl

How to Make 7 Layer Dip

So, technically this recipe has more than seven layers if you include the lime juice and cilantro, but all are so delicious scooped all together with some chips or crackers.

Prep Ingredients

Open can of black beans, rinse, and drain well. Grate your cheese, if needed. Dice your tomatoes, green peppers, and avocado. Chop green onions and cilantro.

Layer Your Ingredients

Here are your layers, starting with the bottom:

  1. Pour beans onto a serving platter and mash coarsely with a fork. Spread beans evenly over the entire platter.
  2. Spread sour cream over top beans.
  3. Spoon salsa by the tablespoon over top sour cream layer and then spread gently to coat but not mix into the sour cream.
  4. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top salsa layer.
  5. Top with fresh diced tomatoes.
  6. Sprinkle green peppers over the top of the entire dish.
  7. Sprinkle avocado pieces over top of the dish.

Garnish

Squeeze lime juice over the avocado. Top with ground salt & pepper. Sprinkle green onions and chopped cilantro over the top of the entire dish.

Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

7 layer dip on serving plate

How to Serve 7 Layer Dip

This simple 7 Layer Dip recipe is such an easy and fun appetizer. It is always served cold, usually with salty tortilla chips. You could also do corn tortilla chips, Fritos, or even Doritos if you’d like.

I recommend making and serving this recipe in a shallow dish or plate like the one pictured. That makes it easier to get all 7 layers onto one chip!

How Long Will This Last?

7 layer dip can last 3-4 days in the fridge, covered well. However the longer it’s stored the more the ingredients run together making it kind of watery. It won’t look good but rest assured it’ll still taste good! Use any leftover dip in burritos or tacos.

Can You Make This Dip the Night Before?

Yes! You can make this dip up to 24 hours beforehand. Just be sure to top it all off with that lime juice to help preserve the green on the avocados (avocado oxidates with the air and turns brown over time…still completely edible, just not pretty). Alternately, you can make this whole dip without the avocado, then slice and top it with the avocado right before serving to preserve that bright green color.

Does it Freeze Well?

I know so many of you are crazy about making things in advance and freezing them, but I would not recommend freezing this 7 Layer Dip. Some food can change textures after being frozen and then thawed out. Also, the fresh tomatoes would not thaw well and add a lot of moisture to the overall dip. No thanks.

dipping chip into dip

More Mexican Dips to Try!

There you have it, friends, an easy 7 Layer Dip loaded with goodies and perfect for parties, as a side, or even as a nice snack to eat throughout the day! The printable recipe card is down below, enjoy!

dipping chip into 7 layer dip
PrintPrint Pin ItPin It
5 from 12 votes

7 Layer Dip

This 7 Layer Dip is a classic appetizer that everyone loves! Packed with beans, cheese, salsa and all things Mexican, grab some chips and dig in!
servings 6 Servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 15 oz black beans 1 can
  • 1 cup light sour cream or full fat
  • 1 cup salsa jarred or homemade (I use Southwest)
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated
  • 2 roma tomatoes diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
  • 1 large Haas Avocado diced
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 scallion chopped (green & white parts)

Instructions

  • Open can of black beans, rinse and drain well. Pour beans onto serving platter and mash coarsely with fork. Spread beans evenly over entire platter.
  • Spread sour cream over top beans.
  • Spoon salsa by the tablespoon over top sour cream layer and then spread gently to coat but not mix into the sour cream.
  • Sprinkle grated cheese over top salsa layer.
  • Top with diced tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle green peppers over top entire dish.
  • Cut avocado in half, open and remove pit. Scoop out flesh with large spoon. Dice into small pieces and sprinkle pieces over top of dish.
  • Squeeze lime juice over avocado. Top with ground pepper. Sprinkle green onions and chopped cilantro over the top of the entire dish.
  • Serve immediately or store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 531mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 21.3mg | Calcium: 281mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: 7 Layer Dip
5 from 12 votes (1 rating without comment)

Share a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




31 Responses
  1. Red and Green Enchiladas | Lauren's Latest

    […] kinds of Mexican-inspired recipes on the blog which you’ve probably noticed. This and this are current family favorites. Anyways, I got to thinking about our regular, same old enchilada rut […]

  2. Jennifer Quintanilla

    5 stars
    Absolute best dip! I love using the extra fresh ingredients which takes this dip to a whole new level.

  3. Paula in Colorado

    5 stars
    This is so, so good and has become my new favorite recipe from your site (sorry red pepper pasta). Although the ingredients are similar to many layered dips, there are enough differences to really set it apart. We have started making it as tostadas in an attempt to eat fewer chips. 😊

  4. Healthy Recipes : 9 Layer Dip....just like 7 layer dip, but better because it's got more goodness ... - Fitness Magazine | Magazine numéro 1 fitness, mode de vie, santé, bien-être, workouts

    […] -Read More – […]

  5. Margarita Guacamole + Cinco De Mayo Recipes - Lauren's Latest

    […] these other mexican favorites will still make a killer Cinco de Mayo: tacos, grilled burritos, 9-layer dip, warm & spicy black bean dip, enchilada lasagna, enchilada stuffed mushrooms, pomegranate lime […]

  6. Super Bowl Recipes & Nutella Cream Pie! - Lauren's Latest

    […] The Freshest 9-Layer Dip from Lauren’s Latest 2. Spicy Texas Ranch Filled Biscuits from Lauren’s Latest 3. […]

  7. Lauren's Latest » Margarita Guacamole + Cinco De Mayo Recipes

    […] these other mexican favorites will still make a killer Cinco de Mayo: tacos, grilled burritos, 9-layer dip, warm & spicy black bean dip, enchilada lasagna, enchilada stuffed mushrooms, pomegranate lime […]

  8. 8 Dips for New Year’s Eve!

    […] we have The Freshest 9 Layer Dip from Lauren’s Latest.  This looks so good because all the ingredients are fresh and […]

  9. Emie

    5 stars
    Yummy-licious! Took this to a potluck and not a morsel was left .. darn it. The addition of the lime adds that extra specialness … love it!

  10. Shari

    5 stars
    Lauren – my daughter made this last night, and between 3 of us, we almost finished it. It was soooo yummy! We all loved the black beans instead of refried!

  11. Tawny @ The Year of The Cookie

    I’ve never made my own 7 layer (or 9) dip before, but maybe I should because I rarely eat it since i’m not a fan of avacados. I like your healthier spin on it too, i’ll have to give this a try sometime!

  12. Holly@Life as a Lofthouse

    This dip looks so amazing..and I love how healthy it is. Ive been so bad but I have good intentions of eating better : ) lol I’m making this soon!

  13. Briana

    5 stars
    We do this at our house every now and then and cal it dinner too! Why not? If you threw it into a taco shell you’d call it dinner, right?

  14. cathyb.@brightbakes

    5 stars
    this is a favorite at our house too! And I have to agree, I much prefer home-mashed beans over “refried from a can”…fresh and lovely!
    cathy b.

  15. Shari

    OMGosh, that picture of your little girl is the most adorable thing ever!

    The dip looks great. I will have to make this for my oldest daughter next time she visits, as she is a 7-layer dip fanatic.

“logos”