Mexican Layer Dip

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 in glass bowl

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:

  1. Coriander (cilantro)
  2. Chillies or Jalopenos, sliced
  3. Fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
  4. Salsa (hot or mild)
  5. Guacamole
  6. Sour cream
  7. 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
mexican layer dip with fresh coriander cilantro

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.

mexican layer dip with tortilla chips

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.

7 layer mexican dip with cilantro

More Tex-Mex Recipes

If you are looking for more Tex-Mex recipes, you may also like:

Chilli Con Carne

Pulled Pork Tacos

Print

Mexican Layer Dip

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Thanh | Eat, Little Bird
  • 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.

Ingredients

  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Place the refried beans on the bottom of the serving dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
  3. Dollop the sour cream on top of the refried beans in several places, and then use a small spatula to spread it out evenly.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Drizzle the tomato salsa on top of the guacamole (as much or as little as you like).
  7. Then add the chopped tomatoes.
  8. Sprinkle with pickled chillies or pickled Jalopenos.
  9. Garnish with coriander (cilantro).
  10. Keep the dish covered in the fridge until serving.
  11. 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.

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7 comments

  1. Maggie 29 September 2021

    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.






    Reply
  2. Mark 9 February 2022

    Very easy and delicious recipe to make, a big plus for a non-cook like me!






    Reply
  3. Jenny 14 April 2022

    A great recipe to make for entertaining! This dip was so easy and very delicious.






    Reply
  4. Lisa Jane 25 May 2022

    Amazingly easy to make and so delicious. 5 stars!!






    Reply
  5. Patricia 19 December 2022

    Great recipe, and great tip to make two versions – one for the kids and one for the adults. Everyone loved this dip.






    Reply
  6. Georgie 30 December 2022

    Very easy to make and so delish!






    Reply
  7. Kylie 18 January 2023

    Easy to make and so delicious.






    Reply