Touchdown Tex-Mex Layer Dip (Printable)
Colorful layered Tex-Mex dip with beans, guacamole, salsa, and cheese—a crowd favorite for any celebration.
# What You Need:
→ Base Layer
01 - 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
02 - 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
→ Creamy Layer
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Guacamole Layer
07 - 2 large ripe avocados
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
→ Salsa Layer
12 - 1 cup chunky salsa, excess liquid drained
→ Toppings
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
15 - 3/4 cup sliced black olives
16 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
17 - 1/2 cup sliced green onions
18 - 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro, optional
19 - Tortilla chips for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine refried beans with taco seasoning in a medium bowl. Spread evenly across the base of a 9x13-inch glass dish or trifle bowl.
02 - Blend sour cream, softened cream cheese, lime juice, and garlic powder in a separate bowl until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the bean layer.
03 - Mash avocados with lime juice and salt in another bowl. Fold in red onion and cilantro. Gently spread the guacamole mixture evenly over the creamy layer.
04 - Spread the drained salsa uniformly over the guacamole layer.
05 - Sprinkle cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese evenly across the salsa layer.
06 - Add black olives, diced tomatoes, and green onions over the cheese. Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.
07 - Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled with tortilla chips.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Each scoop delivers a perfect harmony of textures and temperatures that commercially prepared dips never quite achieve.
- You can assemble it the morning before your gathering, giving those flavors time to meld while you focus on other party preparations.
02 -
- Building this dip in a clear glass dish rather than an opaque one creates that wow factor when guests see all those beautiful layers from the side.
- Leaving a half-inch border around each layer prevents the dreaded spillover effect I experienced when rushing through assembly for an office potluck.
03 -
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole layer if making ahead to prevent any chance of discoloration, then remove it just before adding the next layer.
- Slightly warm your serving dish before adding the first layer by rinsing it with hot water, which helps the refried beans spread more easily without cooling into an unmovable mass.