7 Layer Dip
Ingredients
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- 32 ounces vegetarian refried beans – warmed until spreadable
- 4 large avocado – ripe, pitted and mashed
- 2 tbsp lime juice – freshly squeezed
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 1 ounce taco seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 cups chunky salsa – drained
- 2 cups cheddar cheese – shredded
- 1 1/2 cups tomato – seeded and diced (~2.5 medium tomatos)
- 1 cup black olives – sliced, drained
- 1/2 cup green onions – thinly sliced (~2.5 n/a green onions)
- tortilla chips – for serving
Instructions
1. Warm the vegetarian refried beans in a small pot over medium heat until spreadable, 2–3 minutes; spread in an even layer in a 9x13-inch dish and let cool 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mash the avocado with the lime juice and kosher salt until mostly smooth; spread over the beans, sealing to the edges.
3. Stir the sour cream with the taco seasoning mix until uniform; spread gently over the guacamole.
4. Spoon the chunky salsa over the sour cream in an even layer, leaving excess liquid behind.
5. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the salsa.
6. Scatter the tomato (seeded and diced), black olives (sliced, drained), and green onions (thinly sliced) over the cheese.
7. Cover and chill until cold and set, 30–45 minutes; serve with tortilla chips.
7 layer dip is a chilled, shareable party dip that stacks Tex-Mex–inspired flavors for maximum scoopability. A savory refried bean base supports creamy guacamole and tangy, seasoned sour cream, followed by bright salsa, a blanket of shredded cheese, and a fresh, briny finish of tomatoes, olives, and green onions. The result is a colorful, rich, and balanced bite with each chip—cool, creamy, zesty, and just a little salty-crunchy when paired with tortilla chips.
Born from American potluck culture and influenced by border flavors, 7 layer dip took off in the late 1970s and 1980s as a make-ahead crowd-pleaser. Its popularity spread through community cookbooks and grocery displays that showcased layered convenience ingredients with familiar Tex-Mex notes. While the exact seven layers can vary by household, the core idea—beans, guacamole, seasoned sour cream, salsa, cheese, and fresh toppings—remains a mainstay at game days and gatherings across the United States.