The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (2024)

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4.83 stars (41 ratings)

Jun 22, 202040

This easy 7-layer dip is the best of the best thanks to a few secret (and simple) mix-ins that take it to the next level.

Why does 7-layer dip have to be so goooood? It’s one of my favorite appetizer snacky things of all time.

And if it’s served at a potluck or BBQ, good luck trying to get me to actually talk to real, live humans in favor of standing by the food table near the 7LD at all times.

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (1)

I have an older 7-layer dip recipe on my site that’s been around for almost a decade. It’s tasty. But this new and improved recipe is easier and much better, if I’m allowed to say so.

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (2)

Overlook the looks

This easy 7-layer dip is so delicious, I can easily overlook that there is absolutely NO way to make this dip look amazing once it’s dished up.

It’s a messy jumble of mashed up goodness. And that’s ok.

While this recipe for 7-layer dip is incredibly easy, there are a few special mix-ins that take a few of those layers to the next level.

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (3)

The Seven Layers of 7-Layer Dip

1) refried beans (with your favorite salsa mixed in for flavor – yum!)

2) guacamole (storebought or homemade)

3) sour cream (with a few simple seasonings stirred in to make things exciting)

4) shredded cheese (go with the finely shredded!)

5) chopped tomatoes

6) sliced olives

7) finely chopped green onions or chives

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (4)

Tip for Making 7-Layer Dip Ahead of Time

For the first three spreadable layers (beans, guac, sour cream), spread them as evenly as possible. Think beautifully flat plateaus.

When you get to the sour cream layer, cover the guacamole layer completely, spreading the sour cream all the way to the edges of the dish and sealing in that guac layer completely.

Why? This keeps the guacamole from turning brown AND it means you can make the 7-layer dip ahead of time with stellar results.

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (5)

This easy 7-layer dip is a summer staple for us.

And I’m here to confess that sometimes we make it for dinner. Throw some chips out there (and maybe even some grilled chicken if you’re feeling ambitious) and you have a crazy delicious meal.

I never, ever get tired of this dip. I hope you love this new and improved version! It makes the perfect potluck or BBQ offering for the months ahead (although there’s no shame if you decide to keep it all to yourself either).

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The Best 7-Layer Dip

Yield: 16 servings

Prep Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

4.83 stars (41 ratings)

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Ingredients

Bean Layer:

1 (30-ounce) can refried beans about 3 1/2 cups (see note)
½ cup green or red salsa

Guacamole (see note):

3-4 medium ripe avocados
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste

Sour Cream Layer:

1 ½ cups sour cream
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper

Other Layers:

1 ½ cups finely shredded Mexican blend cheese, monterey jack + cheddar
1 cup chopped tomatoes (see note)
1 cup sliced olives
¼ cup finely chopped green onions or chives

Instructions

For the bean layer, mix the refried beans and salsa together until creamy and smooth. Evenly spread in a 9X13-inch (or slightly smaller) dish.
For the guacamole, mash the avocados, lime juice, cilantro and salt and pepper together until desired consistency (for this recipe, I like the guacamole mostly smooth with just a few small chunks). Spread the guacamole evenly over the refried beans.
For the sour cream layer, stir together the sour cream and all the seasonings until smooth and evenly combined. Spread evenly over the guacamole, covering completely all the way to the edges so the guacamole doesn’t turn brown.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the sour cream followed by the tomatoes, olives, and green onions (or chives).
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip can be made 8-12 hours in advance (and probably longer, although it might get a bit liquidy from the tomatoes if refrigerated longer than that).

Notes

Refried Beans: this is my favorite homemade refried beans recipe.

Salsa: use a brand of salsa you like the flavor of (and choose a heat you are comfortable with). This is my favorite homemade salsa. For storebought I like the Herdez or Trader Joe’s brands.

Guacamole: if you want to use a premade/storebought guacamole, you’ll need 1 1/2 to 2 cups.

Tomatoes: I like to use roma or cherry tomatoes since they are less liquidy than other varieties of tomatoes.

Recommended Products

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (8)

Silicone Spatula

The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved} (9)

Mixing Bowl

Small Offset Spatula

White Ceramic 9X13-inch Dish

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

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Appetizers Egg-Free Gluten-Free Meatless Recipes

posted on June 22, 2020 (last updated April 3, 2024)

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40 comments on “The Best 7-Layer Dip {New and Improved}”

Mary Ann Baker — February 13, 2022 @ 8:55 am Reply
Making this dip for the Super Bowl , can’t wait to see everyone devouring this dip!!
Megan — December 31, 2021 @ 12:20 pm Reply
can this be heated up?
- Mel — January 4, 2022 @ 9:11 pm Reply
  See Also
  Seven-Layer Dip Recipe
  I think the sour cream and some of the layers might get a little weird – but you can definitely try if you want!
Jamie — July 2, 2020 @ 4:03 pm Reply
I just made this last night. It had great flavor and everyone loved it. My layers did not look good though. Your pictures are so perfect and my layers didn’t even look close to yours. Any tips?
- Mel — July 6, 2020 @ 11:02 pm Reply
  What size pan did you use? Wondering if it was slightly larger than mine and so the layers were thinner?
Arlene — June 30, 2020 @ 12:56 pm Reply
Yum! Super easy and actually better than the one my mom made when I was growing up. I love that it doesn’t have prepackaged taco seasoning, and the guac layer comes together super quickly.
- Mel — June 30, 2020 @ 11:01 pm Reply
  Thanks for the report, Arlene!
Emily — June 26, 2020 @ 10:42 pm Reply
I make this for dinner all the time – an even simpler (lazier) version, but always with your IP refried beans. Sometimes I just plop the dish and a bag of chips on the table and we dig in family style so we can avoid cleaning plates. I do usually serve it with some carrots sticks and cucumber and pepper slices, to be well rounded you know.
- Mel — June 30, 2020 @ 10:48 pm Reply
  Loving this.
Mel w/a Brian too — June 26, 2020 @ 7:53 pm Reply
Oh and I forgot to add, I have made your ultimate 7 layer dip, and while it was good, it was a lot more effort. I would say this one is better considering it is much easier and still super tasty.
- Mel — June 30, 2020 @ 10:48 pm Reply
  Thanks, Mel!
Mel w/a Brian too — June 26, 2020 @ 7:42 pm Reply
This was super good Mel! I made a half batch and put in an 11×17 pan for my family of 5 to eat for dinner. It was the perfect amount with just a little leftover.
Buffie — June 25, 2020 @ 5:55 pm Reply
Made this for dinner tonight. Added hamburger meat but it really wasn’t necessary. So delicious!
- Mel — June 30, 2020 @ 11:11 pm Reply
  Thanks for letting me know!
Tanya W — June 25, 2020 @ 11:52 am Reply
This was great, I made a half size recipe and it made a perfect light summer dinner, served with chips and a salad. My family loved it. I halved the sour cream portion because I don’t like sour cream… that was just right!
I liked that I could do my “section” without cheese” and my son’s section without tomatoes.
- Mel — June 30, 2020 @ 11:12 pm Reply
  Love the customizations, Tanya!
Jody — June 24, 2020 @ 4:19 pm Reply
My family does a version of this that is exactly the same except the sour cream layer is sour cream, mayo, and a packet of taco seasoning! I haven’t made it in a while because I’m still in mourning over my new(ish) avocado allergy but you’ve reminded me that I should make it again with a small batch without guac just for me! My kids love this stuff!
Jackie — June 24, 2020 @ 6:35 am Reply
Lookin good. My one suggestion, as a Latina, use Mexican Crema, instead of sour cream. Better results. I guarantee it. And while I am at it, take a jar of fancy red pimientos, a can of spam, diced into cubes and cheez whiz, put it into a blender, puree it and put the results into a bowl. You have what we Puerto Rican American call “Sanwi (sandwich) de Mezcal. Don’t knock until you try it.. It’s delicious.. our take on Southern pimiento spead.
- jackie — June 24, 2020 @ 6:37 am Reply
  *Mezcla
- Mel — June 24, 2020 @ 6:28 pm Reply
  Love those ideas, Jackie! Thank you!
Lauren — June 23, 2020 @ 3:38 pm Reply
Hi, Mel. I almost get the idea here that buying finely shredded Mexican cheese will work just fine here – it’s been years…
- Mel — June 24, 2020 @ 6:22 pm Reply
  Haha, I hear you. I’m normally in the camp of “grate my own cheese” but I use preshredded for this recipe and it works fine!
Beth — June 23, 2020 @ 10:39 am Reply
Hi Mel. We love the original dip recipe. I add a pound of cooked ground beef with the beans and then add the other layers in top. We scoop it up into tortilla shells and it is an easy, one dish burrito filling. It was on our regular dinner rotation. Yum!
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 12:06 pm Reply
  That sounds so delicious, Beth!
Lizzie — June 23, 2020 @ 10:07 am Reply
Looks yummy! Do you need to cook the beans or are they straight out of the can?
- Mel — June 24, 2020 @ 6:21 pm Reply
  No need to cook the refried beans from the can. 🙂
Jodie — June 23, 2020 @ 9:34 am Reply
This looks and sounds soooooo good right now even though I’m eating breakfast and it’s only 9:30 in the morning! One question…what chips or crackers are those that you have pictured with the dip? They look good too!
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:53 am Reply
  They are the multigrain tortilla chips at Costco – my favorite!
Teri Smith — June 23, 2020 @ 8:10 am Reply
This is happening here very soon. I have one question: how can it be guacamole without garlic?!?! Lol!
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:54 am Reply
  Hahaha. Good point. I knew if I added one more ingredient someone would call me out for it not being “simple” like I claimed. But yes, garlic in guac is a very good idea!
Sidney — June 23, 2020 @ 8:06 am Reply
Mel, I feel almost offended on behalf of your beloved, original recipe, which I (like others) have made a bazillion times. I will say, this looks much less time-consuming. Shh, don’t tell anyone I said that.
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:54 am Reply
  I know! I know! I always feel a bit disloyal when I post new and improved recipes.
ShaNae — June 23, 2020 @ 7:53 am Reply
I am trying this one. I have used black beans over refried, you should try that, delicious! when I am feeling really lazy, I mix taco seasoning in with my sour cream. I needed a dip for my BBQ next weekend, and this will make an appearance.
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:54 am Reply
  Yes, I agree! I love using black refried beans in 7-layer dip. Super delicious!
Anna — June 23, 2020 @ 7:19 am Reply
I’ve made your original 7-layer dip no less than 5543478543 times so when this came across my inbox I was intrigued after reading “new & improved”. I then scrolled and actually said “what” in an almost offended-tone when I saw you say this version is “much better” hahaha! Guess I’ll be having a dip dinner this weekend – man retiring/replacing the OG of dips in our house – I won’t tell my husband until after he tries it haha!
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:55 am Reply
  Haha! I’m sorry to shift the foundation of 7-layer dip loyalty. 🙂 You’ll have to let me know what you think. That old dip really is wonderful, but this simpler version is fantastic, too. And I think there’s a place for both of them. 🙂
Julie — June 23, 2020 @ 12:50 am Reply
Love your new tips for this – especially mixing the sour cream with the seasonings since I am not a fan of plain sour cream. By the way Mel, do you have a recommendation for an electric wok? My daughter says her wok does not work well on her very old apartment electric stove burners. Would love your opinion.
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:56 am Reply
  Oh man, I’m afraid I don’t. I’ve never used an electric wok. I’m sorry!
Sandy — June 22, 2020 @ 11:14 pm Reply
Yes! We eat 7-layer dip for dinner regularly because really…its basically a deconstructed meatless burrito/nachos, right!? I usually whip up a smoothie or put out fresh fruit and call it good. Love the idea of adding salsa to the beans – can’t wait to try it!
- Mel — June 23, 2020 @ 9:57 am Reply
  Love that meal combination!