7 Layer Dip

Upgrade your game day hosting with this easy, simple, yet delicious veggie dish 7 layer immersion! Made with just seven simple ingredients, this Mexican-inspired salsa is a crowd-pleaser and takes just minutes to put together.

In 2014, Colorado’s Own Channel 2 graciously invited my kids and me to showcase our delicious seven-layer bean dip cups along with some treasured Super Bowl treats. While the segment is no longer available on their site, fear not! You can access all the recipes in one convenient place: Sauces and desserts for your football party.

Speaking of 2014, don’t miss it videos on YouTube making individual seven layer dips with my little ones. It’s such a sweet time capsule, full of delicious memories! Where have the years gone?

What is 7 Layer Sauce?

Refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, black olives and green onions! Seriously, who doesn’t love seven layer dip? It’s very easy to prepare: you don’t have to cook anything! Simply shred the cheese, slice the green onions, layer the ingredients and voila!

Nervous about the double ladle? Make individual 7-layer Mexican salsas in mini glass jars to ensure no double dipping ruins the fun! Prepare a bunch of cups in advance, screw on the lids, then store in the refrigerator and take out as needed. For all my busy moms out there, they also make a great after school snack.

Ingredients and substitutions

See the recipe card below for the full recipe.

• Refried beans: Homemade refried beans are easier to make than you might imagine, but this 7-layer salsa recipe is all about simplicity. Feel free to substitute your favorite can of refried beans or substitute black beans if you prefer.
• Sour cream: For a layer of creamy, tangy goodness, use sour cream or Mexican crema. You can use full fat Greek yogurt if you want to go a little lighter.
• guacamole: In my opinion it’s not game day if there’s no guacamole. My classic recipe is always a hit, but you can definitely substitute my Hatch Green Chili Guac or the amazing Avocado Lime Cream.
• sauce: The Pico de Gallo (fresh salsa) is bright, fresh, full-bodied and delicate. Of course, you can swap in any of your favorite salsa recipes instead, like salsa roja or salsa verde.
• Cheddar and/or Monterey Jack cheese: You can’t go wrong with these crowd-pleasing favorites. While I typically recommend grating your own cheese (it’s cheaper and usually tastes better), this is one place where the pre-grated kind is welcome.
• Canned Black Olives: I admit that the salty taste of olives is not for everyone. That said, it’s one of my favorite layers!
• Green onions: To add color and a little sharpness allium. In a pinch, you can substitute finely chopped red onions.

How to make a 7 layer sauce

This easy 7 layer dip recipe is made in just a few simple steps.

Bean layer: Spoon refried beans onto a large serving platter or spoon into mason jars. I highly recommend using wide mouth jars so you can fit the chips in!

Sandwich your guac: Next, we layer the sour cream followed by the guacamole and salsa. The acidity of both the sour cream and salsa, plus the protective barrier they form keeping air out, is what keeps your guacamole nice and fresh even if you make the layered salsa ahead of time.

Add fresh garnishes: Top the sauce with cheese, chopped olives and green onions.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Optional variations

As much as I love this recipe as written, there are so many other 7-layer dip combinations. Here are just a few to consider:

• 7 Layer Meaty Taco Dip: Just because I’m not one for meat in my 7 layer Mexican salsa doesn’t mean you can’t be. Picadillo, chopped brisket or chicken tinga are a great choice. Add it on top of the layer of refried beans – if it’s 8 layers, I don’t think anyone will complain!
• 7 Layer Vegan Dip: If you host plant-based people, make sure you help them feel included. You can use vegan sour cream and cheese or replace those layers with vegan favorites like grilled corn or cowboy caviar.
• 7 Layer Healthy Dip: Give your salsa a little twist by substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream and using low-fat refried beans.
• 7 Layer Nacho Sauce: To give your salsa a nacho vibe, use Tex-Mex queso in place of shredded cheese and pickled jalapeños in place of olives.
• 7 Layer Hot Sauce: I’ve heard of people making the sauce and serving it hot. If you’re going this route, change up the layering a bit. I recommend using beans (topped with meat if you feel like it) followed by cheese and cooked sauce. Cook until hot, then top with the fresh ingredients (e.g. guacamole, salsa, green onions and cilantro).

Suggestions for serving and garnishing

• Tortilla Chips and Vegetarian Sticks: Offer a mix of crunchy tortilla chips and fresh vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, peppers) for dipping.
• Customizable cup layers: Set up a DIY station where guests can choose their own layers, including options for meat lovers. That way, if you have multiple allergies or food preferences in the crowd, everyone will be happy.

Tips and tricks from the experts

• 7-layer diving order. Beans on the bottom, guacamole sandwiched between salsa and sour cream, and all the fresh goodies on top.
• Take a preparatory leap. Assemble the night before in a large bowl or individual glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
• Destroy like a pro. A food processor equipped with a shredding blade makes short work of shredding cheese into blocks.

Storage instructions

I recommend enjoying this sauce within the first 24 hours for optimal freshness, any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 days.

Frequent questions

Other easy appetizer recipes

If you make this recipe let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #muybuenocooking.

Photography by Jenna Sparks.
Originally published: January 2014.