15 Minute 7 Layer Dip - Grandbaby Cakes

Name: 7 Layer Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 15- ounce can refried beans; 1 ½ cup salsa (drained, liquid reserved); 2 medium avocados; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon taco seasoning; 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup chopped pickled jalapenos or black olives; 1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro; 5 green onions (minced)

Jump to Recipe

I can make this 7 Layer Dip in 15 minutes flat! It’s low-key while keeping the flavor on point. I love all the layers of textures and colors that really bring it alive.

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7 layer dip in a glass dish on a white countertop with chips

7 Layer Dip Ingredients

Refried beans, cheeses, salsa, sour cream, in glass bowls on white countertop

Refried beans and Salsa: We combine these two to build our flavorful base. Use pinto beans or black beans instead of refried beans boos.
Avocados, Lime Juice and Salt: We mix creamy avocado with the bright flavor of lime and a little salt as another layer.
Sour Cream and Taco Seasoning: I love how tangy and creamy the sour cream is. We punch that up some with spicy taco flavor. Swap out the sour cream for greek yogurt.
Cheese: I use sharp cheddar here to pronounce the flavor more but use what you prefer.
Black Olives: You can use these or pickled jalapenos.
Cilantro and Green Onions: Finally to add just a bit of earthiness, we add a nice herby garnish.

How to make 7 Layer Dip

Prepare the Layers

Salsa and refried beans being mixed together in a glass bowl

Step 1: In a small bowl, stir together refried beans and ¼ cup salsa and 1 tablespoon of reserved liquid. Set aside.

Mashed avocados with lime juice in a glass bowl on white countertop

Step 2: In another small bowl, mash the avocados with salt and 1 tablespoon lime juice, and set aside.

Sour cream and taco seasoning and lime juice mixed together

Step 3: In another small bowl, stir together the sour cream, remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice, and taco seasoning.

Layer it Up

Refried beans spread on the bottom of a glass dish

Step 4: To assemble, spread the refried beans into the bottom of an 8×8 square glass dish.

Guacamole added to top of spread out refried beans in dish

Step 5: Next, spread the avocados on top of that, ensuring to make the layer even.

Sour cream layer spread on 7 layer dip recipe

Step 6: Spead on the sour cream layer.

Finished 7 layer dip in glass dish ready to serve

Step 7: Finally with the cheese, then jalapenos and/or olives. Garnish with cilantro and green onions. Serve with plenty of tortilla chips.

Recipe Tips

Easy Spreading: Make sure you add some of the salsa juice to the beans so it spreads a bit easier.
Flavor Each Layer: Pinches of salt and lime juice in each layer really add additional flavor.
Keep Avocados From Browning: By adding the lime juice. It keeps the color bright.
Keep Layers Distinct: To make sure everyone sees each layer, use a damp paper towel to wipe off any residue from the previous layer before spooning in the next one.
Layer with Heavy Components First: I start with beans then avocado because they are heftier and will keep your dip from sinking.

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Serving suggestions

Keep it Simple: Chips always work well with this. Tortilla are my fave.
Veggie Sticks: Mix it up with celery, carrots or even bell peppers for a nice healthy crunch.
Game Day Fun: Serve up the buffalo wings, rotel dip, meat lovers pizza and brisket chili.
Tex Mex Entertaining: Serve up some beef fajitas, Mexican rice, creamed corn and fresh guacamole along with this dip.

An overhead shot of 7 layer dip recipe with tortilla chips nearby with chips

Recipe Variations

Add Meat: You can add shredded rotisserie chicken or even seasoned ground beef as a layer for some protein.
Breakfast Twist: Add scrambled eggs and crumbled sausage or bacon as additional layers.

7 layer bean dip with chips and limes in the background on white countertop

Recipe help

CanI make this 7 layer dip ahead of time?

For sure but I don’t recommend making it more than 3 or 4 hours before you want to serve it. That will keep everything looking super fresh.

Can I make this without dairy?

Yep just swap out the sour cream for a vegan option, the cheese for your fave plant-based shredded cheese and the beans for something vegan friendly like black beans.