Layers of cool sour cream, homemade guacamole, refried beans, salsa & cheese make this quick & easy dip the perfect addition to your next summer cookout! The 4th of July holiday is coming up! That being said, you can use shredded cheese, sour cream, black olives, and cherry tomatoes to decorate this dip (as indicated in my photo below) to serve as the perfect patriotic centerpiece at your Independence Day celebration.
When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip
On tonight’s Kitchen Playlist: “Da’ Dip,” by Freak Nasty. I can’t say or hear the word, “dip,” without this catchy song immediately jumping to mind. This song, and its lyrical instructions for the accompanying dance moves, was a mainstay at many of the school dances I attended as a kid. It was released in 1996 as a single from Freak Nasty’s second album. Initially, the song did not make much of an impact on the music scene. But by ’97, the hit dance tune would become mainstream and reach platinum status.
Get Sauced
Although wine is my typical go-to, this Mexican-inspired dip pairs beautifully with an ice cold (What’s cooler than being cool?) margarita on the rocks. My recommendation for a simple, yet satisfying marg? Try Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix. (Not a paid sponsor of this blog, but they can be if they want to be! Hey, Tres Agaves, hit me up!) The organic lime and strawberry are my favorites. To make this cocktail: Simply mix 2 oz. tequila with 3 oz. Tres Agaves Margarita Mix. Serve over ice in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime wedge for garnish. Olé!
Get More Sauced
Looking for more sides, dips, & appy’s to bring to your next backyard BBQ? Check out my recipes for Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts and Mom’s Deviled Eggs in the links below. Or, click the “Menu” option to view a full listing of my blog posts on Sauced.
The Best 7-Layer Dip
Equipment
- 1 food processor or blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 avocados peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
- 1/4 c diced white onion
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp mayonnaise
- 1 container of sour cream (8 oz)
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 c salsa
- 1 can refried beans (16 oz)
- 1 1/2 c chopped green onions
- 1 bag shredded mozzarella or Mexican style cheese
- 1 small can black olives (whole or sliced)
- 10-20 small cherry tomatoes (for decoration, if desired)
Instructions
- Make the Guacamole: By placing the diced avocado, cilantro, white onion, fresh garlic, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, 1 tsp. of taco seasoning, 1 tsp. of mayonnaise, and 2 tsp. of sour cream to a food processor or blender. Blend or process until smooth. Note: If you do not have access to a blender or food processor, you can use a hand-mixer, or simply mix the ingredients by hand, until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Gently fold in the diced tomato into the guacamole. Refrigerate until ready to add to your 7-Layer Dip.
- Reserve 1 Tbsp. of sour cream for garnish. Blend the remaining taco seasoning into the remaining sour cream and set aside.
- Make the Dip: Using a spoon or spatula, spread the refried beans evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Tip: I typically use those disposable aluminum pans with the plastic lids for this dip. That way, there's no clean-up necessary, and I can just leave the pan behind at whichever house I bring it to.
- Top with a layer of the seasoned sour cream. Then, spread the guacamole evenly over the sour cream layer.
- Spread the salsa over the guacamole layer. Then, sprinkle a layer of chopped green onions on top of the salsa.
- Top the layer of green onions with a layer of black olives, reserving some of the olives for garnish and/or decoration, as pictured in the photo above.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the layered dip, ensuring that it is fully covered.
- If desired, spread the sour cream and arrange the remaining black olives and cherry tomatoes into an American flag pattern, as pictured.
- Serve with tortilla chips (& a Margarita or 2) and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers (if there are any).