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May 3, 2021 22 Comments

Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip

A glass dish holding ultimate seven layer dip

 

The Best Seven Layer Bean Dip is bursting with flavor!

I’ve always been a fan of bean dips. Texas Caviar and this Chili Cheese Dip are some of my favorites, but I really love a good Seven Layer Bean Dip. Over the years, I’ve paid attention to the different ways I’ve seen it made. For this recipe, I’ve taken all the elements I love and put them together in this Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip. 

First of all, stirring salsa into the refried beans gives them an extra layer of flavor. Second, using your favorite store-bought guacamole is a huge time-saver and adds amazing flavor. Thirdly–and I think this is my favorite tip–use a Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip packet in the sour cream to really add a punch of flavor. 

Having each layer bursting with flavor makes for a delicious bite with every chip you dip! Your friends and family will be so excited to see you show up at your next shindig with a giant pan of Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip! I can’t wait to hear how you like it!

A glass pan holding Ultimate Seven Layer dip with a chip being dipped into the cornerMore Summer Recipes for a Crowd

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  • Creamy Crouton Summer Salad
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Step-by-Step Pictures for how to make Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip

A collage of seven photos showing step by step how to make seven layer dipFrequently Asked Questions for how to make Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip

Does it matter what type of refried beans I use? Fat-Free? Regular?

I personally don’t really like the flavor of the fat-free refried beans, so I always use regular. It’s totally up to you. I have also used homemade refried beans before and they added even more flavor because they are cooked with onions and garlic. 

What should I do if I can’t find store-bought guacamole?

You can either make homemade guacamole or you can just add some diced-up avocado under the sour cream layer. Putting the guacamole or avocados between the beans and sour cream is important so that it doesn’t turn brown because of exposure to oxygen. 

Can I substitute something for the tomatoes?

If you aren’t a fan of tomatoes, just leave them off or only put them on half if you think others eating the dip might like tomatoes. This could go for onions or olives, too.

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes. It is easy to halve and works well. Just put it in an 8×8 glass baking dish, if you choose to halve it. 

What’s the best way to serve this in individual portions?

If you need to serve this in individual portions, it works great to put the dip in clear plastic cups that are about 1 cup capacity. Make sure you will have space to refrigerate them after preparing them. To prepare, evenly portion the beans into the bottom of 16-20 cups, and then do the same thing carefully with each layer. This will definitely take more time but is a cute and fun way to make individual portions of the dip. 

A pinterest collage for Seven Layer Dip

Chef’s tools for Seven Layer Bean Dips:

  • Mixing Bowls
  • 9×13 Glass Dish
  • Chef’s Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Cheese Grater
  • Mixing Spoons

Pinterest picture with the text of the title separating a glass 9x13 dish of seven layer bean dip and the ingredients list.

More Delicious Dips

Classic GuacamoleClassic Guacamole Recipe {and a great tip for preparing it}a glass dish full of buffalo chicken dip. there is a chip being dipped in and you can see the cheese pullBuffalo Chicken DipHomemade ranch dipHomemade Ranch Dip {Say Goodbye to Expensive Packets}

5.0 from 5 reviews
Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip
 
Print
Prep time
20 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
Enhancing the main layers with extra flavors turns an ordinary Seven Layer Bean Dip into an extra delicious dip we like to call Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip.
Author: Maria
Serves: 16-20
Ingredients
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans refried beans or 4 cups of homemade refried beans
  • 1 cup salsa, I used chunky style Pace
  • 2 cups guacamole (Wholly Guacamole or any store-bought guacamole works great for this.)
  • 1 (16 ounce ) container sour cream or 2 cups
  • 1 envelope Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip
  • 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 can of olives, sliced
  • 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Large bag of your favorite corn chips
Instructions
  1. In a medium-sized bowl combine the refried beans and the salsa. Mix until well blended and spread in the bottom of a glass 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Spread the guacamole over the layer of beans.
  3. Mix the fiesta ranch packet into the sour cream, and then spread that layer over the guacamole.
  4. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the sour cream layer.
  5. Next, add the sliced olives, tomatoes, and green onions.
  6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  7. Serve with your favorite corn chips.
  8. Enjoy!
3.5.3251

If you love Seven Layer Dips, you will love these...

A white and dark blue patterned bowl with blue polka dots full of black bean avocado salsa. On the right of the bowl is a bag of tortilla chips. Above the blue on the left is a loosely laid golden cloth napkin.Black Bean Avocado Salsa RecipeRestaurant Style SalsaA glass bowl filled to the top with Pico de Gallo with the handle of a spoon sticking out of it.Copycat Chipotle Pico de Gallo

A pinterest collage for seven layer dip

Other Seven-Layer Dips
  • Skinny Seven Layer Dip
  • 7 Layer Dip
  • 7 Layer Dip Recipe

Appetizers, Dips, Fourth of July, Gluten Free, Holiday, Ingredients, Main Categories, Mexican, More, New Year's Eve, Reader Favorites, Recipes, Seasonal, Sour Cream, Summer
appetizer dip, Bean dip, chips and dip, fiesta ranch dip, Guacamole, layered dip, Seven Layer Bean Dip, summer dips, tortilla chips and bean dip, ultimate seven layer bean dip
22 Comments

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22 Comments

  1. Gg

    May 4, 2021 at 8:50 am

    What’s a “package” of sour cream?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 4, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      hmmm, I’m not sure why I chose the word package, I changed it to container for you.

      reply to this comment
      • Diane Wagenman

        September 2, 2023 at 7:15 pm

        Hi, I made this today for a horseshoe tournament tomorrow. I used jalapeno refried beans with hot chunky picante, everything else the same. Will see how everyone likes it.
        Thank you

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          September 4, 2023 at 6:44 am

          Awesome! Sounds delicious!

          reply to this comment
  2. Callie

    July 15, 2021 at 10:35 am

    #julygiveaway

    reply to this comment
  3. Callie

    February 11, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Had this at yours sisters house at Christmas. Delicious
    # February giveaway

    reply to this comment
  4. Nancy

    February 13, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    Added 4 oz soften cream cheese and a pinch of Chipotle powder, mixed. Then I put the Salsa avacado-not in beans. No tomatoes on top. Offers Pico de gallo on the side. Went over well.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 15, 2022 at 6:59 am

      Yum! That sounds really good!

      reply to this comment
  5. Sharon

    July 3, 2022 at 11:19 pm

    Followed directions, but when I served it it was very liquidy. What could have gone wrong?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      July 23, 2022 at 5:14 am

      hmm, that is very strange. What type of refried beans did you use? Was it the bottom that was liquid-y or the whole dip? How far in advance did you make it?

      reply to this comment
      • Lori

        June 6, 2025 at 9:53 pm

        On your receipe it says cook time 10 minutes?
        But no where on receipe does it say to cook anything?

        reply to this comment
        • Ann@Real Life Dinner

          June 10, 2025 at 7:09 pm

          Hi, Lori. Thanks for bringing that to our attention. It has now been fixed.

          reply to this comment
  6. Janice

    September 10, 2022 at 10:41 am

    This dip is so good! I couldn’t find the fiesta ranch so, I used the regular hidden valley ranch mix and added some chili powder. I also didn’t have any ripe avocado so I used a jar of Tostitos avocado salsa. Sometimes, you’ve got to improvise! I am totally saving this recipe! Thank you for sharing!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      September 13, 2022 at 4:29 am

      Those are great substitutions! Sounds delicious!

      reply to this comment
  7. Marvin Meesey

    December 3, 2022 at 5:27 pm

    recipe sounds great, will be making it for Christmas potluck dips —everyone brings their favorite dip and chips. you have a neat family…..much… taller than you
    like my family. they look like they are very happy including your husband , that’s the main part to a happy home with love. thank you for the recipe.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      January 4, 2023 at 5:35 am

      Thanks Marvin, I hope you dip potluck turned out great. That is such a fun idea! And thank you for the compliment on my family. It is pretty funny to realize that I will definitely be the shortest person in the family..sooner than later.

      reply to this comment
  8. Wendy

    February 12, 2023 at 4:49 pm

    I couldn’t find fiesta ranch so I add some taco seasoning to the ranch mix and sour cream 🙂

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 13, 2023 at 9:08 am

      Awesome, great idea!

      reply to this comment
  9. Cathy

    August 11, 2023 at 11:20 am

    This is the absolute best Seven Layer Bean dip I have ever had! Is it wrong to want to make it to snack on all week? Because I absolute could have it every single day! Thanks for the great recipe!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      August 14, 2023 at 4:17 pm

      I am so glad you like it Cathy, and no it is not wrong at all! I love it too!

      reply to this comment
  10. Tara

    February 1, 2024 at 1:42 am

    I made this recipe, but without the guacamole because I don’t like it. Instead, I added 1lb of ground beef with taco seasoning and it was delicious 😋 Thanks for a great recipe!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 13, 2024 at 9:10 am

      Oh Yum! That sounds awesome!

      reply to this comment

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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