7 Layer Dip

This crowd-pleasingly tasty 7 Layer Dip recipe is a must-have appetizer for your next barbecue, big game day get-together or summer pool party. Also known as bean dip, it’s packed full of protein and fresh veggies.

Easily make this seven layer dip vegan by substituting dairy-based cheese for vegan cheese. Served hot or cold, this bean dip is a delicious addition to your appetizer go-to list.

Beans are an understated (and overlooked) food. Often relegated to being a side dish, beans can actually hold their own as the main star of a meal. 

This 7 layer dip is one such example where beans take center stage. You could technically eat this bean dip appetizer as an entree if you wanted to. Personally, I prefer the addition of other flavors to round-out the meal, though.

I suggest serving this recipe as an appetizer a couple hours before the main meal.

Seven Layer Dip Recipe Ingredients

The power-packed protein is satiating enough that your guests may want (or need) a couple hours before diving into the main course.

Here is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this bean dip:

• Refried Pinto Beans - For depth of flavor, refried pinto beans are what makes this dip what it is. You can either use canned refried pinto beans or make your own.
• Refried Black Beans - The combination of refried bean varieties—pinto and black—lends a distinctive flavor to this dip, which is why I use both.
• Tomatoes, diced - While I used grape tomatoes for this particular seven layer dip, because that is what I had on-hand, hot house, beefsteak, vine ripened (on-the-vine) or campari tomatoes provide an even better flavor. Do not discard the seeds. Avoid roma tomatoes, as they have a distinct flavor profile that is better for salsa.
• Avocado, fresh, diced - Rich in heart-healthy fats, avocados provide the fresh, buttery flavor of this crowd-pleasing appetizer.
• Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese - Use a mexican style shredded cheese mix to give this bean dip appetizer a punch of extra flavor. The cheese is where most of the sodium comes from that is needed in the recipe.

Variations:

• Add a handful (or two) of shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce for a refreshing crispy crunch.
• Include ½ cup of chopped red onion.
• Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top.
• Spread a layer of sour cream on top of the first layer of beans to lend a creamy, tangy flavor.
• Substitute guacamole instead of fresh avocado or use both.
• Replace dairy-based cheese for vegan cheese to make this recipe vegan.

How to Make 7 Layer Dip

For the purposes of showing the layers in this dip, I used a deep glass dish. However, I highly recommend using a glass casserole dish to more evenly spread out the layers. Not only that, a glass casserole dish allows you to admire the beautiful layers this dip creates.

While I do not own this dish (yet), I recommend this glass baking dish by Pyrex from Williams Sonoma. Pyrex is an institution when it comes to great cookware and bakeware, and it is made in the USA.

1. Dice the tomatoes (or cut in half if you are using grape tomatoes), keeping the seeds. Set aside.

2. Dice the avocado, in the shell, if possible. Here’s how: Cut the avocado in half by scoring the shell top to bottom, all the way around. Be careful not to cut yourself. If you are unsure, dice the avocado the way you normally would and ignore these instructions.

3. After scoring, gently pull the halves apart. Remove the pit.

4. Using one of the halves, and without cutting the shell, gently make slices from top to bottom.

5. With the same half, and without cutting the shell, gently cross-cut the slices from left to right to dice the avocado. Leave the diced avocado in the shell.

6. Repeat steps four and five with the second half of the avocado. Set the avocado aside.
7. In the glass casserole pan, add the refried black beans, spreading the layer out evenly across the bottom.

8. Using about half of the tomatoes, add a layer on top of the refried black beans.

9. Using half an avocado, add a layer of diced avocado on top of the tomatoes.

10. On top of the avocado, add the refried pinto beans. Spread the layer out evenly across the pan.

11. Add the cheese as a layer on top of the refried pinto beans. If you are using a long casserole dish, use the whole bag of cheese.

12. Add the remaining half of the tomatoes on top of the cheese.

13. Add the remaining avocado on top of the tomatoes.

14. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this seven layer dip as an appetizer, side dish or snack. It makes a great addition to a Memorial Day menu.

• Appetizer - This bean dip makes a great appetizer to serve a large crowd. Serve on small plates. Serve with a side of chips to scoop up the goodness.

• Side Dish - Heartier chips and dip can be served as a side dish, especially if the main course includes a similar cuisine. In this case, serve this seven layer dip as a side dish with a main course of Mexican fare.

How to Store 7 Layer Dip

Technically, you can store this bean dip in the refrigerator. That said, I like to consume it the same day. Refrigerating tomatoes causes changes in the DNA, making tomatoes soggy as well as flavorless. It is best to consume this bean dip the same day.