This easy 7 Layer Bean Dip recipe is the ultimate game day appetizer. It’s layered with refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheddar cheese, olives, and our favorite toppings making for a colorful, delicious, make-ahead dip that everyone loves.
If you want to make your 7 layer dip with meat, feel free to add some cooked ground beef, bacon bits, or shredded chicken. And if you’re looking for more bean recipes, be sure to try our bean burritos, how to make pinto beans, and warm cheesy bean dip.
Easy 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Sometimes you really can’t beat the classics, and this easy Seven Layer Bean Dip is absolutely no exception. Whether you make it for the Super Bowl, or a summer BBQ, it’s one of those dishes that everyone seems to know and love. Plus, it can be made ahead of time, involves zero cooking and is gluten-free!
You can make just exactly as the recipe says, or feel free to spice things up (literally). Think of it as a taco dip – anything that tastes great in tacos or nachos will probably taste great in this recipe. We love to add a thin layer of canned green chilis, or else you could purchase refried beans with jalapeno.
What to Serve with Refried Bean Dip
The most classic way to eat this bean dip is with tortilla chips. They’re salty and crunchy – the perfect pairing with this creamy, cold dip.
If you want to go a little healthier, another option would be to serve with fresh veggies, like baby carrots, or sliced bell peppers.
Main Ingredients in 7 Layer Dip
- Refried Beans – this recipe calls for two 16 oz cans of your favorite brand. If you like a little spice, you could even use the refried beans with jalapeno.
- Salsa – you can use your favorite brand. Hot, medium, mild… they all taste great! It’s a good idea to drain your salsa first, so you don’t end up with a soupy mess. Either homemade or store bought Pico de Gallo would make a great substitute.
- Taco Seasoning – any type of taco seasoning mix will work, or try our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe.
- Guacamole – you can make your own Homemade Guacamole, or purchase from the store. It’s best to refrigerate it because it will hold up a little more firmly.
- Sour Cream – lite or full fat will work.
- Shredded Cheese – you can use all cheddar, or any cheddar mix.
- Green Onions – you can use both the white and the green part, sliced thinly.
- Tomato – these should be diced, and you can drain these as well if you’d like. Another option is to substitute diced red bell peppers for a little additional crunch. Or, if you like things a little spicy, add a can of green chiles and your diced tomatoes.
- Black Olives – you can purchase sliced black olives, or else slice yourself. If you prefer green olives, use those instead.
- Limes – these can be cut into wedges and squeezed on at the last minute, just before serving.
- Cilantro – this is an optional, but delicious garnish.
- Tortilla Chips – this is our favorite way to eat 7 Layer Bean Dip. You can also serve with fresh veggies, too!
How to Make 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
- Season the refried beans. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the refried beans, taco seasoning, and ½ cup of salsa and mix well.
- Assemble the layers. Spread the refried bean dip layer into the bottom of a 9×13″ baking dish using a spoon or an offset spatula. Next, spread the sour cream layer evenly over the bean mixture, followed by the guacamole. Spoon the remaining cup of salsa evenly over the guacamole, then sprinkle the shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, and finally the black olives.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve. Just before serving, lightly sprinkle with chopped cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Be sure to drain excess liquid from your salsa before adding it.
- Serve with a small bowl of lime wedges for people to squeeze on as they like. The little bit of extra tang is so yummy.
- If you want to bulk this up even more, you can make your 7 Layer Bean Dip with meat, such as cooked taco seasoned ground beef or ground turkey.
- For spicy food fans, we suggest adding canned green chilis, or use refried beans with jalapenos.
- Rather than tomatoes, dice red bell peppers for some added crunch.
- You can mix in an 8 oz package of room temperature cream cheese with the refried bean and salsa layer for some additional creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is definitely meant to be a cold dip! If you are looking for a warm dip recipe, give our Fiesta Corn Dip, Jalapeno Artichoke Dip or Warm Cheesy Bean Dip a try.
You can make this recipe up to 24 hours in advance – we just recommend holding off on topping with fresh cilantro and lime juice until just before you serve it. Be sure and cover the surface gently with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
If covered tightly, your 7 Layer Bean Dip will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Keep in mind that any areas where the guacamole is showing will oxidize and begin to turn brown. It’s not bad to eat, but doesn’t look very pretty. All you’ll need to do to fix it is scrape the surface layer off with a spoon or a spatula and discard.
Storing Instructions
Refrigerator: store leftovers by gently covering the surface of the bean dip with plastic wrap then storing in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Dip Recipes You’ll Love
7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 16-oz cans refried beans
- 1 ½ cups salsa, divided
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 13 ounces guacamole
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 4 whole green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 4-ounce can black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 large lime, cut into wedges
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the refried beans, taco seasoning, and 1/2 cup of salsa. Mix well and spread into the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish using a spoon or an offset spatula.
- Next, spread the sour cream evenly over the bean mixture, followed by the guacamole.
- Spoon the remaining cup of salsa evenly over the guacamole, then sprinkle the shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, and finally the black olives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, lightly sprinkle with chopped cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing leftovers: gently cover the surface of the bean dip with plastic wrap then storing in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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More of the Best Dip Recipes
- Jalapeno Artichoke Dip
- Refried Black Beans
- Franks Chicken Dip
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- More Easy Appetizers
- More Tex Mex Favorites
This classic 7 Layer Dip is the perfect appetizer for any game day, summer BBQ or quick and easy lunch. It’s the colorful and cold bean dip that everyone seems to know and love, filled with layers of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
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This recipe went together really quickly. Made the retried bean/browned hamburger/taco seasoning and chopped the tomatoes & onions the day before. Mashed the avocado and put it as the second layer and sealed it with the sour cream, so it did not discolor. It was a huge hit! Thanks so much, it really hit the spot. Enjoyed it very much!
thanks for this tip, I’m making mine the day before as well and will try placing the guacamole under the sour cream.