7 Layer Dip (Easy and Dairy Free)

Always popular at parties, 7 Layer Dip is an easy make-and-take recipe that everyone loves to share. Use this recipe to make a quick dairy-free version of this popular dip, thanks to a delicious plant-based queso made from veggies. Every layer is so delicious, and all together they make for a flavor-popping bite with every colorful scoop!

This post was created in partnership with Good Foods.

Why is it called 7 layer dip?

This great-tasting party dip features Tex-Mex taco flavors. Seven individual layers are stacked one to top of another to make a platter full of dip. To eat it, take your favorite dippers, such as tortilla chips or veggies, and dip it down through all of the layers to get a nice taste of each one. Combining all your favorite taco flavors and toppings into a layered dip makes you feel like you’re eating a delicious bite of taco with each dip! Read below for the 7 layers that are most common in this party dip.

what Are the 7 layers in 7 Layer Taco Dip?

One of the great things about a 7-layer dip recipe is that you can easily make it your own by adding any layers that you want or eliminating any layers that you don’t want. Have a favorite veggie? A favorite spice? A favorite taco topping? You can easily work those ingredients into 7 Layer Dip to make the dip just right for you and your party guests.

Here are the typical layers in Seven Layer Dip:

1. beans – most recipes have a base of refried beans
2. guacamole – creates a flavorful and vibrant green layer
3. sour cream – typically, this layer is mixed with taco seasoning for added flavor; in our version we use vegan plain yogurt or vegan sour cream to make a dairy-free dip
4. cheese – you can use shredded cheese or queso for the cheese layer (or both); in our recipe, we use vegan queso, such as this plant-based Queso Blanco to get great cheesy flavor without the dairy
5. tomatoes – tomatoes are the typical veggie used and they add a nice bright red layer to the dip. You could also use salsa, diced bell peppers, or any favorite crunchy veggie here (or a combination of them)
6. green onions – sliced scallions are a beautiful and flavorful addition that is commonly used
7. black olives – sliced black olives add a stunning dark topping to this dip

Other common ingredients added to seven-layer dip, include fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced red onion, shredded lettuce, corn, black beans, and diced avocado. Some versions even included cooked taco meat and Spanish rice.

Find the ingredients list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Ingredients to make dairy-Free 7 Layer Dip Recipe

Gather these ingredients to make this popular party dip for every fun occasion:

• refried beans – use any brand of refried pinto beans or refried black beans for the base layer
• salsa – you can use any favorite salsa or pico de gallo for this layer
• guacamole – for a convenient already-made guacamole that tastes so fresh, reach for Good Foods Chunky Guacamole (they also make a great Spicy Guacamole). Use this store locator to find Good Foods sold near you
• plant-based queso – we love this Spicy Queso Blanco from Goods Foods, which is made from a base of cauliflower, almonds, and veggies
• sour cream – you can use standard sour cream or plant-based sour cream, depending on if you want your seven layer dip to be dairy free or not. Alternatively, you can use plain Greek yogurt or a plain vegan yogurt, too
• taco seasoning – you can use any favorite brand of taco seasoning. Or, easily make your own Homemade Taco Seasoning that you’ll love
• veggies – we used diced tomatoes, diced yellow bell pepper, and green onions here. But you can use any favorite veggies to make this your own
• garnishes – our dip uses sliced black olives, sliced jalapeños, and chopped fresh cilantro for garnishes on the top layer. But you can use any garnishes that you’d like (scroll back up for some more suggestions)

How to Make this 7 Layer Dip Recipe

This no-cook, no-baked dip recipe couldn’t be easier. Have fun stacking the layers with these basic steps:

1. Start building the layers: Create the base layer by spreading the refried beans on a platter, then top the taco seasoning over the beans
2. Add more delicious layers: Spread the guacamole over the beans, then top with the salsa and dollops of sour cream, then gently spread those out before adding the next layers
3. Add the fresh layers and queso on top: Finish the layered dip by adding fresh tomatoes, green onions, and bell pepper (and any desired toppings) over the sour cream layer. Drizzle the queso over the veggies and add any desired garnishes. Serve with dippers, such as chips and veggies, and enjoy!

For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium, and more per serving.

How To Make This Dip Dairy Free

By using a plant-based queso dip (like this one) in place of the standard shredded cheese, and by swapping in a vegan sour cream or a plain vegan yogurt in place of the sour cream, you can easily make this a dairy-free dip

This Dip Is Naturally Gluten Free

This dip is made up of layers of foods that are naturally gluten free. Those gf layers include beans, guacamole, queso, veggies, and more. If gluten is a concern for you or your guests, be sure to serve gluten-free dippers, too. Some great choices include corn tortilla chips, grain-free tortilla chips, and fresh-cut veggies

Easily Make this a Whole30 Dip

This dip doesn’t contain any added sugars. And when you use the dairy-free swaps listed above you make it Whole30 friendly, as well. Using our Homemade Taco Seasoning will also help ensure you make this is a Whole30 friendly dip

Make It Vegan with Simple Swaps

Use the dairy-free swaps listed above to make this a vegan and 100% plant-based dip recipe that everyone at the party will appreciate

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This post was made possible by Good Foods. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

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