Love a good dip recipe? You need to try our Unfussy Black Bean Dip as well as our Dill Pickle Dip and our Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip!

taco dip with cream cheese that's layered liek a 7 layer dip with beans, cream cheese, lettuce, cheese, jalapeno, olives, and tomato

Why you’ll love this Layered Taco Dip

Why you’ll love this method:

No cooking required – simply mix, layer, and CHILL. So unfussy!
Make-ahead friendly – reliable for parties since it’s even better and chilling.
Loaded with flavor! – the cream cheese and taco seasoning base is rich and well-seasoned.
Endlessly customizable – swap or add toppings based on what you have on hand!

Ingredients needed

The ingredients for this method are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!

Cream cheese – we’re going to soften it first so that it blends up smoothly with the taco seasoning. This is going to form the rich and creamy bade layer of the dip.
Refried Beans – this is the bottom layer of the dip. I like using canned beans to cook this easier but my from-scratch refried beans also work well!
Sour Cream – this lightens up the cream cheese base and adds a little tang.
Taco seasoning – the key flavor booster in the base layer. Use your go-to store-bought blend or a from-scratch mix of spices!
Lime juice – this adds brightness and balances out the richness of the cream cheese.
Shredded lettuce – it adds crunch and freshness on top of the dip.
Diced tomatoes – a old-school taco dip topping for color and juiceiness!
Shredded cheese – this is the finishing touch! I used cheddar cheese but feel free to swap in a Mexican blend if you prefer.
Black olives – sliced olives add saltiness and a briny bite. These are optional but highly recommended.
Green onions – diced for a mid, fresh onion flavor.
Jalapeno – Optional, for anyone who wants extra heat. I used fresh jalapeno BUT pickled jalapeno would also be flavor-packed in this!
Tortilla chips for serving – for serving and scooping!

taco dip with cream cheese that's layered like a 7 layer dip with beans, cream cheese, lettuce, cheese, jalapeno, olives, and tomato. scoops are taken out so you can see the inside of the dip

How to Make It

Only a reminder that you can find the FULL written recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how to make them with visuals for you:)

cream cheese and taco seasoning creamed together in a stand mixer bowl

Make the cream cheese base. In the base of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, and lime juice until smooth and fully combined.

refried beans smeared in the bottom of a glass pie dish

Spread on the beans. Spread the refried beans evenly across the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish or shallow serving dish.

cream cheese smeared in the bottom of a pie dish

Smooth on the cream cheese layer. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the beans.

Layer up the toppings. Layer on the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, black olives, green onions, and jalapeno, if using.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold with tortilla chips.

Recipe Tips

Softened the cream cheese fully – this makes the base much easier to beat smooth without any lumps remaining.
Don’t skip the chill time – letting the dip rest in the fridge helps all the layers set and the flavors meld together.
Layer only before serving if making it ahead – for the freshest texture, you can prep the cream cheese base and refried beans layer ahead of time, then add the lettuce, tomatoes, and other fresh toppings right before serving.
Customize the toppings – diced avocado, pickled jalapeno, or a drizzle of hot sauce are all great additions!