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This classic 7-Layer Dip recipe is the ultimate party appetizer, featuring seasoned refried beans, fresh guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, olives, and green onions layered in one delicious dish. Ready in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
7 Layer Dip never goes out of style.
This 7-layer dip is pure nostalgia for me; every family gathering, game day, and potluck from my childhood. I love how deceptively simple it is, you're basically just stacking ingredients, yet somehow it always feels like you've created something special. I always have most of these ingredients on hand, so it's become my go-to “emergency appetizer” when people are coming over. It just works, every single time.
Try my other dip recipes, like Homemade Ranch Dressing, Homemade Salsa, Classic Cheese Ball, Cowboy Caviar, and Hummus!
How to make 7-Layer Bean Dip:
Mash Avocado and Flavor Beans: Add 1 Tablespoon of lime or lemon juice to prevent the avocado from going brown. If you are using canned refried beans, use spices to add some flavor. You can even stir in some green sauce too.
Layer: In a 9×13 dish or similar size, layer the ingredients starting with refried beans. Spread refried beans into an even layer then cover with mashed avocado, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, olives, and finally green onion on top. Feel free to add any other toppings you love! Cover and refrigerate 7 layer dip until it's ready to serve with tortilla chips.
7 Layer Bean Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz cans refried beans, (black or pinto)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 avocados, , peeled and seeded
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice, (or lemon juice)
- 8 oz sour cream
- 3/4 cup salsa
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, , cheddar or Monterrey Jack
- 6 ounces sliced black olives
- 2 green onions, , chopped
- 1 roma tomato, diced, for garnish (optional)
- tortilla chips, , for serving
Instructions
- Season beans: Add the refried beans to a mixing bowl. Season with chili powder, cumin and garlic powder. Taste and add more seasoning if desired. Spread beans into a single layer on a large serving plate or in a 9×13'' pan.2 15 oz cans refried beans, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Mash avocado: Add avocado and lemon/lime juice to a bowl and mash well with a fork. Spread into an even layer, over the beans.3 avocados, 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- Layer: Spread sour cream into an even layer, over the avocado. Dollop small spoonfuls of salsa next. Sprinkle with cheese, olives, and lastly, green onion. We also like to add a diced tomato for garnish (optional).8 oz sour cream, ¾ cup salsa, 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, 6 ounces sliced black olives, 2 green onions, 1 roma tomato
- Refrigerate until ready to serve (can be made a day in advance). Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe September 2017. Updated February 2021, June 2024 and January 2026.
How does the avocado hold up if made the night before? I worry it’ll be brown and not look as pleasing?
I haven’t had that problem when I make it the day before!
I made it, except made it a hot dish with your Mexican rice on the bottom, the pinto beans on top with green pepper. Cheese was added on top of each portion and the rest were toppings. Delicious. Truly didn’t miss the meat! Thank you for a great recipe!
This came out really good. I made the avocados more like a guac with onions, cilantro, etc., but it was very tasty
Easy peasy. Mixed green chiles with the seasoned beans, melted thin layer of cheese and chopped olives on top in oven. Made big dollops of the sour cream, guac and salsa with onions and a few more olives on top. Beautiful and a delicious big hit at the super bowl party.
Made this for my son’s Friendsgiving work party. I made a small dish for us to try and we really loved it’s. The spices added a real flavor pop to the dip. We just added a little more of each spice, but other than that we thought it was fantastic and definitely a keeper for our next party.
I’ve made this recipe 4 times using different types of beans and even adding ground beef. We all love it any which way. Great recipe!
your recipe is so good
it was so good that one person ate half of
in 4 minutes
your recipe is so good
Absolutely loved this dip which I put together night before serving. When served, there was a little liquid. Was it from the liquid salsa? What can be done to prevent in the future?
It may be from the salsa if you’re using one that’s liquidy, you can try draining off some of the liquid before adding to the dip.
Do you heat it up when served. Try this receipe!! Thank you ❤️