7 Layer Taco Dip
Thanks to my niece, Emme, I learned that 7 layer taco dip was popular in the 90s. I am an 80s baby, so I can easily remember having this dip at parties. I remember my mom making it one of our super bowl snacks for several years. I didn't realize the peak of its popularity was during the 1990s.
Emme turned two late last year. Her birthday party was a super cute 90s theme where we were all 2 legit 2 quit. My sister-in-law didn’t stop with 90s decorations and outfits. She also put a lot of thought into the menu for the party. We had Pizza Hut, Dunakaroos, and Jello Jigglers. I mean as if! We were totally having a party! Emme and her friends had a blast, and so did all of the adults.
I was excited to make this throwback dish, and I also enjoyed eating it, and I could feel the nostalgia when preparing to make it. It wasn't until I sat down to think about each layer that I realized it could easily feature a few recipes from my cookbook, Staples +5.
7 layer taco dip is a dip that shows each layer when digging in. I especially like making this dip because none of the layers require cooking. A little extra care to elevate a few layers and make them homemade makes this dip extra special and a layered flavor explosion!
The layers include:
Refried Beans
Seasoned Sour Cream
Guacamole
Shredded Cheese
Tomatoes (or Salsa before the cheese)
Black Olives
Cilantro or Green Onion
You'll notice the ingredient list suggests 10-16 oz of refried beans. That quantity is based on preference and brand. It's relatively easy to find a 16 oz can of refried beans at your local grocery, and it's becoming easier to find my favorite brand of refried bean, Dozen Cousins. Their heat-safe pouches are 10 oz. I have found that 10 ounces of refried beans work great, and I prefer Dozen Cousin because they are seasoned so well. You don't have to add anything additional.
Most 7 layer taco dip recipes include sour cream, and the best ones include seasoned sour cream. I chose to use the taco seasoning from my cookbook, Staples, +5 because it has much less sodium and filler than any store-bought packet of taco seasoning.
Store-bought guacamole is fine for this recipe, but I'm always going to make a small batch of Jack's Guacamole, found in Staples +5 because it has more texture than store-bought. My guacamole recipe has fresh red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lots of lime. The robust lime flavor helps brighten this 7 layer taco dip like no other.
Colby Jack or mild cheddar offers an excellent balance for 7 layer taco dip, and it doesn't overpower the other flavors and stands up to the creamier textured layers. Consider getting a block of cheese and shredding it with your food processor shredding attachment instead of grabbing a bag of the already shredded stuff. The shreds are usually bigger and don't have a weird powdery coating on them when you shred it yourself.
I wonder if, by the time Emme makes this recipe, on her own, it will be for a 2022 themed party or to watch a big game with friends. I'm confident, either way, it will be gone by half time.
Other recipes you can serve for the second half:
7 Layer Taco Dip
Ingredients
- 10-16 oz packaged or canned refried beans
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (recommend recipe: Taco Seasoning, Staples +5)
- 1 ½ cup guacamole (recommended recipe: Jack's Guacamole, Staples +5)
- 1 ½ cup shredded mild cheddar or Colby jack cheese
- 2 tomatoes on the vine, chopped
- 3 tbsp black olives, sliced
- 1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Begin by adding sour cream and taco seasoning to a small bowl and mixing until thoroughly combined.
- Start with a 10" cast iron skillet or shallow platter to assemble. Use a silicone spatula to spread the refried beans on the bottom of the pan, ensuring an even layer.
- Carefully spread the seasoned sour cream on top of the layer of beans. Be careful not to blend the sour cream and bean.
- Next, spread the guacamole over top of the sour cream layer.
- Distribute the shredded cheese evenly on top of the guacamole layer. Top the shredded cheese with chopped tomatoes, then black olives, and finish with cilantro.
- Serve with tortilla chips or spoon into a small flour tortilla.
Notes
Store 7 Layer Taco dip covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for five days. This recipe can be made ahead and served cold or at room temperature. Do not set out at room temp for more than 2 hours.
Variation
Add more layers by layering seasoned ground beef on the refried beans. Keep it vegetarian by adding a layer of fresh salsa on top of the guacamole.
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