An easy and tasty dip with all of your favourite nacho flavours! This Mexican Layer Dip, also called a 7 Layer Dip, is a great recipe for entertaining and can be made ahead of time.
Mexican Layer Dip
I first tried this Mexican Layer Dip at a birthday party for a friend’s daughter. Yes, at a kid’s party! I was instantly taken by the colours of this dip and after my first try, I pretty much parked myself next to this dip for the rest of the party. It was THAT good!
This Mexican dip is a hit with both kids and adults, and I would even recommend making two versions – a mild version for the kids (and sneak in more veges like cucumbers and capsicums/bell peppers), and a spicy version for the adults.
What is a Mexican Layer Dip?
This Mexican Layer Dip, also called a 7 Layer Dip, has all the classic flavours of your usual nachos, except that it is served cold and it is completely vegetarian.
From top to bottom, the layers of this Mexican dip include:
- Coriander (cilantro)
- Chillies or Jalopenos, sliced
- Fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
- Salsa (hot or mild)
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Refried beans
But feel free to add your other favourite nacho toppings to create more layers! Suggestions for other toppings include:
- Cheddar cheese, grated
- Black olives, sliced
- Red kidney beans
- Onions, finely chopped
- Cucumber, finely chopped
- Capsicums (bell peppers), finely chopped
How to Make a Mexican Layer Dip
This Mexican Layer Dip recipe quite possibly one of the easiest dips you can make, which makes it perfect for entertaining as it is a great stress-free option.
You can also make this Mexican dip ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Most of the components of this dip with come from some cans and bottles, and I think that is completely fine because you will also be adding fresh avocados, tomatoes and coriander (cilantro) for some fresh, bright flavours.
How to Serve a 7 Layer Dip
When it comes to serving dips at parties, I prefer to hand everyone a small plate onto which they can place a generous scoop of the dip, along with a handful of chips or other nibblies. I think this is a more hygienic and sanitary way of serving shared food.
Alternatively, you can also place the tortilla chips straight into the dip, ready for your guests to help themselves.
To make this 7 Layer Dip kid-friendly, I use a mild salsa in the dip, but I like to keep a bottle of Tabasco or other hot sauce for the adults to add.
More Tex-Mex Recipes
If you are looking for more Tex-Mex recipes, you may also like:
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Mexican Layer Dip
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6 to 8
- Category: Appetiser
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
An easy and tasty dip with all of your favourite nacho flavours! This Mexican Layer Dip, also called a 7 Layer Dip, is a great recipe for entertaining and can be made ahead of time.
Print
Pin Recipe
RateIngredients
- 430 g (16 oz) canned refried beans
- 300 g (1 1/2 cup) sour cream
- 3 ripe avocados
- 1 lime
- 250 ml (1 cup) tomato salsa (mild or spicy)
- 1 small punnet cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
- Pickled Chillies or pickled Jalopenos, finely sliced
- coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- I recommend using a glass serving dish for this dip so that everyone can see the different layers of this dip. But any serving dish is, of course, fine. You may need to adjust the quantities in this recipe depending on the size of your dish.
- Place the refried beans on the bottom of the serving dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Dollop the sour cream on top of the refried beans in several places, and then use a small spatula to spread it out evenly.
- In a large bowl, peel, stone and scoop the avocados. Add the juice of 1 lime, and then use a potato masher to mash the avocados. I like to keep the mixture slightly chunky. If the refried beans are a bit salty, I would not add any salt to the guacamole. Otherwise, add a pinch of salt to the guacamole and taste for seasoning.
- Dollop the guacamole on top of the sour cream, and use a small spatula to spread it out evenly. Take care not to mix the layers.
- Drizzle the tomato salsa on top of the guacamole (as much or as little as you like).
- Then add the chopped tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with pickled chillies or pickled Jalopenos.
- Garnish with coriander (cilantro).
- Keep the dish covered in the fridge until serving.
- Serve cold.
Kitchen Notes
VARIATIONS
*Cheddar cheese, grated
* Black olives, sliced
* Red kidney beans
* Onions, finely chopped
* Cucumber, finely chopped
* Capsicums (bell peppers), finely chopped
CONVERSIONS
To convert from cups to grams, and vice-versa, please see this handy Conversion Chart for Basic Ingredients.
I made this dip last night and it was the easiest, most delicious thing I have ever made! The kids loved it so much too.
★★★★★
Very easy and delicious recipe to make, a big plus for a non-cook like me!
★★★★★
A great recipe to make for entertaining! This dip was so easy and very delicious.
★★★★★
Amazingly easy to make and so delicious. 5 stars!!
★★★★★
Great recipe, and great tip to make two versions – one for the kids and one for the adults. Everyone loved this dip.
★★★★★
Very easy to make and so delish!
★★★★★
Easy to make and so delicious.
★★★★★