avocado Archives - Family Dinners

The Best 7 Layer Dip Recipe

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 02:47:35 +0000

Make this classic creamy 7 layer bean dip for your next game day gathering, picnic or potluck, and watch it disappear before your eyes. This easy appetizer is a beautiful mash-up of all your favorite Southwestern flavors including creamy refried beans and sour cream, salsa, fresh avocados, tomatoes and shredded cheese. You can make it as spicy or mild as you like, plus it’s gluten free and vegetarian, therefore just about everyone can enjoy it.

This easy recipe comes together almost as fast as it disappears. With a few simple fresh and canned ingredients, you’ll have a guaranteed crowd pleasing dish that’s going to be a huge hit at your next party.

WHAT IS 7 LAYER DIP?

7 layer bean dip is a classic Tex-Mex appetizer that is so universally loved it deserves its own star in the appetizer hall of fame. In this dish, fresh guacamole, salsa, refried beans, sour cream, tomatoes, shredded cheese and toppings are arranged in colorful layers. It’s simple but beautiful, and it’s so delicious that your tortilla chips will practically scream “dip me!” That’s the magic of a 7 layer dip.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Perfect game day or potluck party dish. Easy to whip up and refrigerate for later.
Main Ingredients: refried beans, Rotel, guacamole, sour cream, Mexican cheese blend, salsa, black olives, green onions, fresh tomatoes
Cooking Method: no bake
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time
Pairs well with: sturdy tortilla chips, homemade tortilla chips or other flavored corn chips, tostadas
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, vegetarian
Special Equipment Needed: 9×13-inch baking dish , 8×8-inch baking dish, pie pan, cooking spoon or spatula, medium bowl

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this Mexican 7 layer dip recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and therefore not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this 7 layer dip appetizer you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

7-Layer Taco Dip Ingredients

16 oz can of refried beans (spicy or mild)
5 oz Rotel with juices (½ a 10 oz can)
2 cups guacamole
2 cups sour cream
4 oz grated Mexican cheese blend (about 1 cup)
1-2 cups salsa
1 can sliced black olives or green olives (½-1 cup)
1 bunch diced green onions
½ cup fresh tomatoes (diced)

Optional Garnish

Fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, a squeeze of fresh lime juice

Substitutions

Refried Beans: Use full fat refried beans, if possible. You’ll also want to add a little water to the refried black beans to thin them out a bit , as creamy refried beans are more spreadable.

Guacamole: You can use your favorite store-bought guacamole for this great dip or prepare homemade guacamole, in case you have the time.

Sour Cream: Use regular cool sour cream, try our cilantro lime sour cream or one of 3 ways to make dairy free sour cream for this easy dip.

Cheese: Grate the cheese yourself. Sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack and pepper jack are a great combination. Pre-grated cheese has preservatives and additives that make the cheese taste not quite as good.

Salsa: Use your favorite kind of salsa, such as chunky salsa, homemade pico de gallo, homemade salsa verde, or restaurant style salsa. You can of course also use your favorite store-bought brand of salsa or fresh pico de gallo.

Tomatoes: We prefer Roma tomatoes or plum tomatoes or other medium sized tomatoes for this 7 layer dip recipe.

Variations

TACO FLAVOR: Mix in a packet of taco seasoning with the sour cream.

LESS SPICY: Use regular refried beans, instead of spicy.

MORE SPICY: Add a can of diced green chiles or chili powder to the bean layer. Use hot salsa or mix salsa with some hot sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this traditional 7-layer dip recipe, try our Buffalo Chicken Dip. You’ll love it because it’s a creamy mix of cheese, chicken and hot sauce, that makes the perfect game day party snack.

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Baking Dish – An 8×8 baking dish works perfectly for this recipe. It’s just the right size and goes from fridge to table beautifully. If you want to use a 9×13-inch baking dish just double the recipe.

Instructions

This section shows how to make seven-layer dip, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For printable instructions and nutritional information see the recipe card below.

Prep: Use an 8×8 glass dish or equivalent serving dish.

Step 1: Firstly, mix spicy refried beans and Rotel to make the bean layer.

Step 2: Then spread layer of beans evenly on the bottom of your baking dish.

Step 3: Next add the guacamole layer on top of the beans and Rotel tomato layer.

Step 4: Afterwards add sour cream layer and salsa on top of the avocado layer.

Step 5: Top the layer of salsa with remaining layers of shredded cheese, olives and green onions. Tomatoes are optional.

Step 6: Afterwards, cover and refrigerate for an hour or until you are ready to serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Mexican layered dips then you’ll love our Chili Cheese Dip. This perfect game day snack is full of chili flavor and gooey cheese! You can make it as mild or spicy as you like!

Make Seven Layer Dip Ahead

You can refrigerate this delicious dip for up to 3-4 days, so you can absolutely make it ahead and keep it in the fridge overnight. This will also help chill your dip so it’s firm and ready to serve.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best 7 layer spicy bean dip.

Tip: Use full fat refried beans, if possible, and thin the bean mixture with a little water and Rotel juices.
Tip: Use fresh, ripe avocados to prepare homemade guacamole if you can and grate the cheese yourself. Pre-grated cheese has preservatives and additives that make the cheese taste not quite as good.
Tip: Refrigerate before serving. Give your bean dip time to chill keeps it fresh and firm before serving.

Serving Suggestions

We love to eat 7 layer dip all by itself as a party snack. But sometimes you need to serve it as part of a Mexican inspired meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Appetizers: Combine this easy taco dip recipe with Loaded Beef Nachos or Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells.

Main Dishes: Pair this classic recipe for 7 layer dip recipe with crock pot chipotle chicken tacos, chipotle chicken burrito bowls, grilled chipotle chicken kabobs, Instant Pot carnitas or sheet pan chicken fajitas.

Mexican Condiments and Dips: This scrumptious layered dip also tastes great in combination with Queso Blanco , Crack Corn Dip or Chili Cheese Dip.

Sides: We love serving Mexican dishes with homemade Air Fryer Taco Shells, Cilantro Lime Rice or Mexican Rice.

More Delicious Dip Recipes

If you love this best 7-layer dip recipe, then you’ll enjoy these other yummy dip recipes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Leftover 7 layer bean dip can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrap with plastic wrap. However, layers will start to separate some and it may become a bit watery.

Freeze: We don’t recommend freezing this Mexican dip.

Common Questions

What’s in a 7-layer dip?

A 7 layer dip consists of fresh guacamole, salsa, refried beans, sour cream, tomatoes, shredded cheese and toppings (green onions, olives and tomatoes), all arranged in different layers.

Does guacamole turn brown in a 7-layer dip?

Similar to apples and bananas, the flesh of an avocado can turn brown when it is exposed to the air for a long period of time. An easy way to slow this oxidation process is to add some fresh squeezed lime juice to your guacamole. It also helps to reduce the amount of air your guacamole is exposed to. You can do this by putting your guacamole in between two other layers in your 7 layer bean dip.

Can 7 layer dip be frozen?

As a matter of fact, we do not recommend freezing 7 layer bean dip and this dip is so popular that you probably won’t have any left over to freeze!

Is it ok to heat 7 layer dip?

This 7 layer dip is best served cold or at room temperature because it contains sour cream and guacamole. However, in case you would like to make a warm Mexican inspired dip try our Chili Cheese Dip or Texas Trash Dip.

Can 7 layer dip be made the night before?

Yes, you can refrigerate this dish for up to 3 days, so you can absolutely make it ahead and then keep it in the fridge overnight. This will also help chill your dip so it’s firm and ready to serve.

Is it possible to serve this 7 layer bean dip recipe with taco meat?

Most definitely. In fact, combine this delicious dip with our scrumptious Ground Beef Taco Filling and Air Fryer Taco Shells and you have the perfect weeknight dinner.

The Best 7 Layer Dip Recipe

This classic, creamy 7 layer bean dip is an easy-to-make crowd pleaser for your next game day gathering, picnic or potluck.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Mexican

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword cheese, guacamole, olives, refried beans, spicy 7 layer dip, tomatoes

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 163kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

8×8 baking dish

Ingredients

16 ounces spicy refried beans canned
½ 10 ounce can of Rotel with juices
2 cups guacamole
2 cups sour cream
4 ounces grated Mexican cheese blend
1-2 cups salsa
½-1 cup sliced black olives canned
1 bunch diced green onions
½ cup fresh tomatoes, diced

Instructions

Use an 8×8 baking dish or equivalent serving dish.
Mix spicy refried beans and rotel. Spread in the bottom of your baking dish. (For more spice, add a can of diced chiles into the bean layer.)
Spread guacamole layer over the bean layer.
Spread a layer of sour cream over the guacamole. (For a taco flavor, add a packet of taco seasoning into the sour cream layer.)
Spoon salsa over the sour cream.
Sprinkle cheese over the sour cream layer.
Top with olives, green onions, and tomatoes (optional).
Cover and refrigerate for an hour or until you are ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips,warm flour tortillas or slices of bell pepper.

Notes

You can change up the amounts of each ingredient to suit your own tastes.
Feel free to change the order of the layers.
For a less spicy bean dip, use regular refried beans.
For more spice, use hot salsa or mix salsa with some hot sauce.
For more of a taco flavor, mix in a packet of taco seasoning with the sour cream.
7 layer dip can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Layers will start to separate some and it may become a bit watery.

Nutrition

The post The Best 7 Layer Dip Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Guacamole Recipe (No Onion)

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 02:56:00 +0000

Avocados seem to be everywhere these days! But our favorite avocado-rich side dish–guacamole–isn’t just for game day or Mexican dishes anymore! It’s also great as an appetizer, a healthy snack, on salad, toast and sandwiches. We’ll show you how to make homemade guacamole with this classic guacamole recipe. It’s super easy to prepare, and irresistibly creamy and delicious.

What is Guacamole?

Guacamole is a Mexican dip, topping or spread that is made from mashed avocados, tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro and spices. It can be eaten by itself with crunchy tortilla chips or used as a topping for tacos, burritos, nachos and other Mexican dishes.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: creamy avocados mixed with tomatoes, lime juice and just the right amount of spices
Main Ingredients: avocados, lime juice, cilantro, tomatoes and spices
Cooking Method: no-bake
Nutrients: a good source of lutein, beta carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time
Diet: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto friendly
Pairs Well With: tortilla chips, tacos, nachos, burritos, fajitas
Special Equipment Needed: potato masher or fork

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this easy guacamole recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this classic Mexican dip you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

3 good ripe avocados
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
2 small tomatoes, deseeded and diced

Variation: Using fresh diced red onion and garlic instead of onion and garlic powders give a stronger garden fresh flavor. You can also add diced jalapeños for a little more crunch and heat, or chunks of pineapple for a sweet and salty combo.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you are planning on preparing a whole Mexican meal, serve our incredible Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes for dessert. They are fluffy with just the right amount of spices and topped with the most amazing Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to make the best guacamole recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

MASH AVOCADOS: Peel and mash avocados to a medium mixing bowl using a potato masher or fork, leaving them a little chunky, if desired. Use a potato masher if you want chunky guacamole or a fork if you want it smoother.

ADD SPICES: Add cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh lime juice to the creamy avocados and combine. Then add cilantro and tomatoes and gently mix with a spoon until combined.

REST: Allow the guacamole to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. This helps combine the flavors. Then serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies for dipping.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this authentic guacamole recipe, why not use it for a delicious Easy 7 Layer Dip. This dip is a beautiful mash-up of all your favorite Southwestern flavors including creamy refried beans and sour cream, salsa, fresh avocados, tomatoes and shredded cheese.

HOW TO MAKE GUACAMOLE AHEAD

Guacamole is best served fresh but you can make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep it from browning, place it in a bowl, squeeze some lime juice onto the surface and place plastic wrap against the surface of the guacamole, squeezing out any air. This will prevent oxidation and browning.

Andrea says….

I love how easy this guacamole is. We love to whip some up to serve with our homemade chicken taquitos.

Tips For the Best Guacamole

Follow these tips to make the best homemade guacamole recipe.

Tip: Use ripe avocados. Choose avocados that are dark green to black and which give slightly when given a gentle squeeze. Avoid bright green, unripe avocados or mushy, shriveled, overripe avocados.
Tip: Use fresh, ripe tomatoes. Cut them into very small pieces.
Tip: Use a potato masher. This will give you chunky guacamole.
Tip: Use lime juice liberally. This prevents browning.

What To Serve With Guacamole

We love to eat homemade guacamole all by itself with our favorite tortilla chips. However, sometimes you need to serve it as part of a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Nachos: BBQ Chicken Nachos or Loaded Beef Nachos would be great dishes to serve with homemade guacamole.

Main Dishes: Pair this basic guacamole recipe with crock pot chipotle chicken tacos, chipotle chicken burrito bowls, grilled chipotle chicken kabobs, Instant Pot carnitas or sheet pan chicken fajitas.

As Part of Taco Nights: For your next Taco Tuesday, serve a bowl of guacamole with Air Fryer Taco Shells, Instant Pot black beans, cilantro lime rice, Instant Pot Mexican Rice, Ground Beef Taco Filling, and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream.

More Mexican Condiment Recipes

If you also love Mexican dips as much as we do then you have to try our Restaurant Style Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Mango Habanero Salsa:

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Place leftover guacamole in a bowl or airtight container, lay a piece of plastic wrap over the surface, removing as many air bubbles as possible to prevent air from browning the guacamole. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days. In case any brown spots formed, carefully remove them from the surface with a spoon. Then give the leftover guacamole a good stir before serving.

Freeze: We do not recommend freezing guacamole because when it thaws, the texture will change and it may be quite watery.

Common Questions

What is traditional guacamole made of?

Traditional guacamole is made from avocados, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and lime. It’s seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.

How do I keep my guacamole from turning brown?

Avocado will quickly brown when exposed to the air. To prevent this, sprinkle the top of your guacamole with lime juice. Do this especially before you refrigerate your guacamole. Then cover with plastic wrap right on top of the guacamole so there’s no air between the guacamole and the plastic wrap.

What can you add to guacamole to make it taste better?

The trick to the best tasting guacamole is using fresh ingredients. If you find that your guacamole is too bland, you may need to add a bit more salt and/or lime juice. Adding more lime will increase the tanginess, while added more salt with increase saltiness. Add each of these things gradually until you’ve achieved your preferred flavor.

How can you make spicy guacamole?

If you’d like to increase the spiciness of your creamy guac, mix in ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, diced jalapeño or sriracha sauce.

Is guacamole healthy to eat?

The biggest ingredient in guacamole is avocados which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which boost brain function and health. These monounsaturated fats can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Avocado is also a keto-friendly food. Guacamole also contains tomatoes and other fresh vegetables which are high in vitamins your body needs. Eating it in moderation is a healthy choice.

Is it safe to eat brown avocado?

This depends on the reason why your avocado is brown. If the avocado flesh has turned brown as a result of being cut open it is still safe to eat the brown parts. If the avocado is already brown when you cut into it, it is most likely due to it going bad. We do not recommend eating those parts. Simply cut away the brown parts and use the parts that are still bright green.

Homemade Guacamole

Learn how to make homemade guacamole with this easy to make guacamole recipe. Learn all the tips and tricks to tasty guacamole for dipping, on nachos, on salads and tacos!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword avocado, classic guacamole, guacamole, homemade guacamole, tomato

Prep Time 10

Servings people

Calories 245kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

1 Potato Masher (or a fork)

Ingredients

3 avocados
½ tspn onion powder
½ tspn ground cumin
½ tspn garlic powder
¾ tspn sea salt
¼ tspn black pepper
2 tablespoon lime juice fresh squeezed
2 tablespoon cilantro fresh chopped
2 tomatoes, small deseeded and diced

Instructions

Add the flesh of the avocados to a medium mixing bowl.
Using a potato masher or fork, mash the avocados, leaving them a little chunky, if desired.
Add cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Use a spatula to combine.
Add cilantro and tomatoes and gently mix until combined.
Allow the guacamole to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. This helps combine the flavors.
Serve with pico de gallo, restaurant style salsa, mango habanero salsa and chips. Or, use it to top burrito bowls or tacos.

Notes

Avocado will brown from oxidation easily. Lime helps prevent browning. Before refrigerating, sprinkle the top with more lime juice and cover with plastic wrap right on top of the guacamole so there’s no air between the guacamole and the plastic wrap.

Nutrition

The post Easy Guacamole Recipe (No Onion) appeared first on Family Dinners.