Go big with this layered taco dip recipe – it is the perfect appetizer for large crowds. It’s full of meat, cheese, cream cheese, veggies and more. Add this appetizer to your game day or party menus!
My go-to recipe for potlucks has always been this 8 layer taco dip recipe. It’s a taco dip with meat so it is hearty enough that you can eat it as a main meal and be full.
Or, you can take just a little bit and then try everything else that people bring.
The best thing about this dip recipe is that you can take out a few layers if, for example, someone hates beans. Make it a 7 layer taco dip, a 6 layer taco dip, etc.
Layered taco dip is the best.
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Also, it’s so easy to make that you can prepare this dish quickly for last-minute guests, or prep it before you get ready to go to a party.
It’s the perfect addition to your party spread – make some sheet pan loaded nachos or slow cooker coffee barbacoa beef to go with it.
It is my go-to party recipe because it is so often requested by those that try it – keep that in mind. It’s a party favorite and everyone loves it.
I learned this step the hard way – at one party, everyone was huddled around the casserole dish and then there was none left for me!
Layer Taco Dip Recipe
My favorite part of this taco dip is the cream cheese layer. The sour cream and taco seasoning mix blend so well with the cream cheese that you could probably use that as a dip all on its own.
Want to go the extra mile? Make your own homemade taco seasoning!
Maybe even just make a cream cheese taco dip…. just sayin’. Taco dip is good for a few days after you make it – put any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Check Out This Container For Leftovers!
How To Serve Taco Dip
Serve with tortilla chips and keep a large serving spoon and some small appetizer plates nearby so that your guests can take a little (or a lot).
Or skip the tortilla chips and serve it with Doritos. I’ve done both, recently. You could even skip the chips if you are counting your carbs and just a fork.
Can Taco Dip Be Made Ahead of Time
The answer to that question is YES. It can be served as a hot dip, right after preparation, or cold if you make it ahead of time and then refrigerate it.
If you are going to be serving a lot of items, this is the one recipe you should definitely make the night before.
Taco Dip Without Cooking
If you want to make this even easier, skip the meat altogether. If you are making this vegetarian, add the taco sauce to the cream cheese mixture instead.
Or, make it its own layer.
The more layers the better!
Taco Dip Layer Substitutions
If you want to add or replace layers to this taco dip, here are a few suggestions for you:
- Avocado chunks
- Guacamole – check out this guacamole keeper!
- Salsa
- Ground turkey
- Grilled chicken chunks
- Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
- Chili (instead of ground beef)
- Red or green bell peppers
- Hot green pepper (like jalapeños)
If you don’t like it when the cheese is melted, make sure to add that layer towards the top.
Brown the ground beef in a large pan. Drain the fat and add the taco sauce. Mix well and set aside. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream and taco seasoning. Mix until well combined. In a 3 quart dish, begin layering in this order - refried beans, cream cheese/sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and green onions. Chill for 30 minutes prior to serving. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Layer Taco Dip
Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 440 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 0mg Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Protein: 0g
Use my taco seasoning mix, this delicious mix from the Pioneer woman or buy your favorite at the store. I also really like Old El Paso’s taco seasoning.
Looking for more fun appetizers? Try my antipasto skewers!
Anete says
April 24, 2013 at 5:13 pmBy far, my favorite. It’s been so long since I’ve had it, this will be on my next grocery list.
jenniferbullistron says
April 24, 2013 at 5:14 pmTake pictures when you make it and send them to me 🙂
Pam says
December 7, 2017 at 11:00 ammine turned out exactly like the photo – it is delish!!
Linda says
September 15, 2013 at 11:15 amHi Jenny… Love this recipe!! I have made it many times and it is always a hit. My recipe did not include the cream cheese or the ground beef … great additions. Just made it for a get-together and I thought adding the taco sauce to the ground beef made especially good. The empty platter told the story 🙂 Thank you for this yummy recipe!!
Jenny B says
September 15, 2013 at 11:22 amI’m so glad you enjoyed it Linda!
Maricel says
January 26, 2014 at 6:43 amLooks delicious! I would love to try it.
Jenny B says
January 26, 2014 at 9:28 amThank you! I would love to hear how you like it if you try it. Have a great Sunday!
melissa cushing says
January 26, 2014 at 8:06 amThanks for sharing this recipe… I think I am going to make this one for my super bowl sunday! I like the ground sirloin in there!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Jenny B says
January 26, 2014 at 9:27 amI hope you like it! Have a great day!
melissa cushing says
January 31, 2014 at 8:07 amsounds delicious! i will be making this sunday for sure!!! thanks for the post and for sharing!
Jenny B says
January 31, 2014 at 9:01 amAwesome Melissa! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Shannon says
February 1, 2014 at 3:15 pmI love this dip! Thank you for posting.
Jenny B says
February 1, 2014 at 10:11 pmThanks Shannon! Have a great weekend!
Vera Kipp says
January 7, 2018 at 11:27 pmLove this recipe. Cant wait till summer for a great Cookout. My friends will love it .Thank You Keep them coming.
Yurika says
February 22, 2014 at 11:06 pmWow! This looks good! I have to try it!!!
Jenny B says
February 23, 2014 at 8:59 amI hope you like it – it’s pretty darn good 🙂
Leah Lucas says
March 21, 2014 at 7:28 pmWe are having a get-together this weekend and have been looking for ideas for some dishes. This is going to be one for sure!!
Jenny B says
March 21, 2014 at 8:38 pmYou’re going to love it!! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
melissa cushing says
September 6, 2014 at 9:37 amI have been looking for one of these dip recipes and yours sounds awesome! I will be making this today! Thanks !
Jenny B says
September 6, 2014 at 9:40 amYou’re welcome Melissa! It’s a family favorite over here!
Jess says
July 7, 2015 at 12:21 pmYum yum! This looks like such a nice fresh dish!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Chantale Evans says
July 7, 2015 at 2:36 pmI can’t wait to try!! Sooooo yummy made me hungry lol. I’m a true foodie and I know this will be a hit with my teens!! Thanks for sharing
Kristina & Millie says
July 10, 2015 at 9:58 amoh yeah drool and more drool! love this recipe and will be trying it out this weekend! thanks for sharing with Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been says
July 10, 2015 at 5:22 pmMan, I haven’t had layered taco dip in ages, but now I definitely want some! Thanks for tempting my appetite, and thanks so much for sharing this with us at Merry Monday! We hope you’ll join us again next week starting Sunday evening! 🙂 Pinned!
Jenny B says
July 11, 2015 at 9:01 amThanks Christine, I’ll be back for sure!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
July 12, 2015 at 5:28 pmI love taco dips, this sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!
Beverly says
July 15, 2015 at 8:44 amThis looks great. Thanks for sharing on Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den says
July 15, 2015 at 8:11 pmIt’s been FOREVER since I had a good taco dip. Definitely going to be making soon! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! This is going to be one of my features this week. 🙂 Hope to see you again next week!
Jenny B says
July 16, 2015 at 10:25 amThank you for featuring me this week!
Anita says
July 16, 2015 at 6:56 pmThis recipe looks so delicious! Hi, I’m Anita visiting from The Pin Junkie Link Party.
Cara says
January 4, 2016 at 5:22 pmThis looks so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Linda says
January 4, 2016 at 8:30 pmOne of our favorites. The guys especially like it on football days.
amy says
January 5, 2016 at 8:00 amI was looking for this recipe the other day and couldn’t find it. TFS! Visiting from Something to Talk About
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
January 9, 2016 at 10:05 amThis looks so good! It would be such a fun dinner, as well! Also, obsessed with that shirt!
Mollie says
January 12, 2016 at 12:58 pmThis is always a classic and I love your version! Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday and Happy New Year~ I’ll be pinning this to our Throwback Thursday board.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
January 14, 2016 at 1:42 pmLayered bean dip is one of my oldest son’s favorites! I make my own refried beans for it. I’m going to have to try your version too!
Jenny says
January 14, 2016 at 7:04 pmI hope you like it Michelle! It’s one of my all-time favorite recipes. 🙂
The Johnny O Show says
January 27, 2016 at 12:24 pmMy daughter used this recipe and it turned out delicious! Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwcBjDJtGAk&index=1&list=PLfiklpBmJhxR95V7AkrOREDZ2D-MTNTuy
Jenny says
January 27, 2016 at 12:38 pmWhat a fun video – thank you for sharing!
Vanessa says
October 23, 2016 at 9:19 pmThis looks amazing! I love all things tacos and layers, lol. I would love it if you would share this recipe at a link party I am co-hosting. I hope to see you there. http://diy180site.blogspot.com/2016/10/dishing-it-and-digging-it-link-party-119.html
Dani says
October 24, 2016 at 7:58 amHow many does this typically serve? I’m trying to figure out if I should double the recipe or not. Thanks!
Jenny says
October 24, 2016 at 5:29 pmHi Dani! I would say it serves 10-12 people, depending on how large each person’s portions are.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
October 25, 2016 at 12:57 pmI like the shallow dish so you can get a bit of all eight layers in each bite! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up and don’t forget to leave a comment at the party – Next week’s features that also leave a comment get pinned, yummed and tweeted!
Charlene Asay says
October 25, 2016 at 1:57 pmI love simple dishes like this. You can have them ready in no time. Thanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week.
Platt College says
October 26, 2016 at 3:05 pmThis eight layer taco dip looks perfect for my Sunday Gameday get together.
Debi says
November 6, 2016 at 9:13 pmThanks for sharing this amazing dip recipe on Weekend Bites! We’re featuring it along with more healthy veggie packed recipes.
Audrey says
August 15, 2017 at 12:47 pmWhat is it about layer dips that make them disappear so quickly? Maybe it is the thought that you get all of those luscious flavors in one bite. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids #TastyTuesdays
Shirley Wood says
August 20, 2017 at 7:19 amYummy recipe! So glad you share with us at Merry Monday!
Miz Helen says
August 21, 2017 at 7:34 pmOne of our all time favorite dips! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Janie Mace says
August 27, 2017 at 6:05 pmJanie Mace. Idaho
Used to make this w/o the cream cheese or store salsa l used home made salsa my husband liked his habbbanaros no one else could take it so l startrd. To make two separate dishes hot and mild. Now hes gone so lm back to one dish. For his sake l hope they have hot peppers in heaven. Next time l will try it with the cream cheese
Vera Kipp says
January 7, 2018 at 11:30 pmLove this recipe .Cant wait till Summer when we have cookouts .My friend will love it. Thank You .Keep them coming.
Janice Moyer says
January 12, 2018 at 11:49 amJust made this dip. It is to die for! Yum! Does anyone know if it can be frozen?
Linda says
April 16, 2018 at 9:19 pmI made this dip for a baby shower yesterday. I took your advice and prepared it the night before.
I made it vegetarian without the meat or the beans.
I did however add a couple items.
I added both red and green peppers to your recipe. And I mixed baby spinach with the lettuce.
I will use this recipe again. It was a hit. Everyone said it was delicious.
Thanks
Charles King says
November 11, 2018 at 7:51 pmAs soon as I can get to store to get items I need I will be making this dip and will send you a photo of final results.
Olga says
February 26, 2019 at 12:02 pmJenny, bravo! What a great idea! Love this. I’m sure this is incredibly delicious!
Nataly says
March 30, 2019 at 1:06 pmJenny, thanks for sharing! Saved my butt on a quick impulsive idea for a dinner side!
Kate says
April 5, 2019 at 3:02 pmJenny, this was wonderful! Never knew that those flavors would come out as they did in this beautiful dish! Follow the recipe word for word!!!