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    Home » Recipes » Course & Meal Type » Appetizers

    Posted on: Feb 9, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    5 layer Mexican Dip (gluten-free)

    98 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    5 Layer Mexican Dip is spicy, cheesy, and creamy. This delicious party appetizer is made with layers of refried beans, sour cream, taco sauce, veggies, and lots of shredded cheese. Bring this 5 Layer Dip to your next Super Bowl party, game day, BBQ, pool party, fourth of July, or a fun girl's night in.

    Mexican food is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite cuisines. I don't know what it is.

    Is it spice, cheesiness, or creaminess? Is it the chips and guac? Or is it the margaritas? Or all of the above? haha.

    Mexican food is like. party in your mouth and it goes oh so well with margaritas. The food is amazing and the culture is so fun.

    Today I'm sharing with you my 5 Layer Mexican Dip that I've been making for years.

    What is 5 Layer Mexican Dip?

    A 5 Layer Mexican Dip is simply 5 layers of dip consisting of Mexican ingredients and flavors.

    The first layer begins with refried beans followed by a layer of sour cream, then taco sauce, lots of veggies, and shredded cheese.

    The veggies I used in this recipe are green bell peppers, jalapenos, scallions, tomatoes, and olives. You'll also need lots of fresh chopped cilantro and taco seasoning.

    The combo of veggies, beans, sour cream, and cheese is scrumptious. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and will be the star at your party.

    It's the perfect appetizer to make for a Super Bowl party, game day, BBQ, pool party, or just a girl's night in. Throw in some margaritas and you've got yourself a real party! Trust me, this recipe will be a big hit!

    Other party appetizers you'll enjoy are this Enchilada Bean Dip, Pav Bhaji Dip, and Mexican Pani Puri,

    Ingredients for 5 Layer Mexican Bean Dip

    Refried Beans - I love Trader Joe's Traditional Refried Beans. You can use any store-bought can of refried beans.

    Taco Sauce - I like Taco Bell's Mild or Hot Sauce, but you can use any brand you like.

    Sour Cream - You'll need sour cream for the beans and when assembling the dip.

    Water - You'll need water to thin out the beans slightly.

    Taco Seasoning - Again, I love Trader Joe's brand and it's spicy too. You'll need taco seasoning for the beans, veggie mixture, and for garnish.

    Tomatoes - Make sure you drain your tomatoes before adding them to the veggie mixture.

    Other Veggies - Green Bell Pepper, Scallions (or green onions), Jalapeno, and Olives.

    Cilantro - You'll need lots of fresh chopped cilantro to flavor the dip.

    Why You’ll Love this 5 Layer Mexican Dip

    • Party Appetizer
    • An Explosion of Flavors
    • A Crowd Pleaser
    • Easy and Delicious Recipe
    • Make Ahead - keeps well for up to 2 days
    • Cheesy & Creamy
    • Spicy
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-Free

    How to make 5 Layer Mexican Dip

    Make the Beans

    1. On medium heat, add the beans to a pot.

    2. Add water, taco seasoning, and taco sauce. Stir.

    3. Once the beans are warm, add sour cream and stir.

    4. You should end up with a creamy texture. Your bean mixture is ready.

    5. Pour the bean dip into a 10" x 7" (or around there) serving tray and let it cool.

    Chop the Veggies

    1. Chop the tomatoes and drain well.

    2. Chop the scallions.

    3. Now chop the black olives.

    4. Next, chop the green bell peppers, I just used my favorite vegetable chopper.

    5. Chop the jalapenos. You can use 1 or 2 jalapenos and deseed them if you prefer. I prefer spice so I used 2 with seeds.

    6. Lastly, chop fresh cilantro.

    7. In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, scallions, black olives, green bell peppers, jalapenos, and fresh cilantro.

    8. Add taco seasoning and mix.

    Assemble 5 Layer Dip

    1. Top the bean layer with large dollops of sour cream. This is your second layer.

    2. Spread out the sour cream.

    3. Third Layer - Drizzle Taco Bell Mild/Hot sauce.

    4. Fourth Layer - Top with all the veggie mixture.

    5. Fifth Layer - Top with shredded Mexican cheese.

    6. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a few chopped scallions, and sliced olives. You can also sprinkle some taco seasoning. Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

    Tips to make 5 Layer Dip

    • First, prepare the bean layer and pour the refried beans into a serving casserole dish. Let it cool before assembling the rest of the ingredients.
    • Make sure you chop and drain your tomatoes. This will prevent your dip from getting soggy.
    • Chop all your veggies and combine them in a big bowl with taco seasoning.
    • Finally, assemble.

    Substitutions

    Vegan - if you're vegan use vegan sour cream and cheese for htis recipe.

    Lettuce - Shredded lettuce would be a nice touch in this dip, I would add the lettuce on top of the veggies and before the cheese.

    Other Veggies - You can use red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, or orange bell peppers in this recipe. Corn would delicious too.

    Storage

    You can make this dip 2 days ahead. Just cover it with tight plastic wrap and it should be good when you serve.

    For leftovers, store the dip in an airtight container and it'll keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    Top Tip

    Make sure you chop and drain your tomatoes. This will prevent your dip from getting soggy.

    FAQ

    1. Is this Mexican Dip gluten-free?

    Yes, this dip is completely gluten-free.

    2. How can I make this 5 Layer Dip, vegan?

    Simply replace sour cream and cheese with the vegan versions respectively.

    3. How do I make the 5 Layer Dip less spicy?

    Go ahead and use 1 jalapeno instead of 2. Additionally, you can deseed the jalapenos if you wish.

    4. Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

    Yes. Simply double the recipe and it'll be enough for about 16 people.

    5. What kind of chips can I serve this 5 Layer Dip with?

    The classic Tortilla Chips - I love blue tortilla chips, you may also use white tortilla chips or yellow tortilla chips. For a healthier option, I love Trader Joe's Organic Quinoa and Black Bean Chips - they are so good and good for you!

    6. What are some other names for this recipe?

    5 Layer Mexican Dip is also known as 5 Layer Dip, 5 Layer Bean Dip, Mexican Dip, Mexican Bean Dip, Taco Dip, and Taco Bean Dip. There are so many different variations.

    7. What other cheese can I use instead of shredded Mexican cheese?

    Cheddar Cheese would work great. You can also use Colby Jack Cheese or Pepper Jack Cheese. They would all be delicious.


    More Party Appetizer Recipes

    • Enchilada Bean Dip
    • Vegetarian Indian Nachos
    • Pav Bhaji Dip
    • Baked Jalapeno Poppers
    • Spinach Cheese Fondue

    Pin & Enjoy!


    5 Layer Mexican Dip

    Vegetarian, Gluten-free
    5 Layer Mexican Dip is spicy, cheesy, and creamy. This delicious party appetizer is made with layers of refried beans, sour cream, taco sauce, veggies, and lots of shredded cheese. Bring this 5 Layer Dip to your next Super Bowl party, game day, BBQ, pool party, fourth of July, or a fun girl's night in.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 8 servings
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Calories: 149kcal
    Author: Nisha

    Ingredients

    for the beans

    • 1-16 ounce refried beans, Trader Joe's traditional
    • 2 tablespoon sour cream
    • 1 ½ tablespoon taco seasoning, I used Trader Joe's
    • ¼ cup cold water

    for the veggie mixture

    • 1 cup scallions, chopped
    • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
    • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
    • 2 jalapenos, chopped, remove seeds for less heat
    • ¼ cup black olives, chopped
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • 1 ½ tablespoon taco seasoning

    to assemble

    • add bean layer
    • 10-12 ounces sour cream
    • drizzle of Taco Bell sauce
    • top with veggie mixture
    • 1 cup - 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese

    for garnish

    • fresh cilantro, chopped
    • few scallions, chopped
    • few black olives, sliced
    • sprinkle of taco seasoning

    Instructions

    Make the Beans

    • On medium heat, add the beans to a pot.
    • Add water, taco seasoning, and taco sauce. Stir.
    • Once the beans are warm, add sour cream and stir.
    • You should end up with a creamy texture. Your bean mixture is ready.
    • Pour the bean dip into a 10" x 7" (or around there) serving tray and let it cool.

    Chop the Veggies

    • Chop the tomatoes and drain well.
    • Chop the scallions.
    • Now chop the black olives.
    • Next, chop the green bell peppers, I just used my favorite vegetable chopper.
    • Chop the jalapenos. You can use 1 or 2 jalapenos and deseed them if you prefer. I prefer spice so I used 2 with seeds.
    • Lastly, chop fresh cilantro.
    • In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, scallions, black olives, green bell peppers, jalapenos, and fresh cilantro.
    • Add taco seasoning and mix.

    Assemble 5 Layer Dip

    • Top the bean layer with large dollops of sour cream. This is your second layer.
    • Spread out the sour cream.
    • Third Layer - Drizzle Taco Bell Mild/Hot sauce.
    • Fourth Layer - Top with all the veggie mixture.
    • Fifth Layer - Top with shredded Mexican cheese.
    • Garnish with fresh cilantro, a few chopped scallions, and sliced olives. You can also sprinkle some taco seasoning. Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 263mgPotassium: 187mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 893IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 5 Layer Dip, 5 Layer Mexican Dip, Bean Dip, Dip
    Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking!

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    98 shares

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jhiane says

      January 03, 2010 at 5:35 am

      The dip was amazing loved the texture and how fresh the chopped vegetables tasted.

      Reply
    2. Mimi says

      January 04, 2010 at 3:13 pm

      This is such an easy and tasty dip.
      Mimi

      Reply
    3. ngs says

      January 04, 2010 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks Mimi. Really appreciate the feedback.. I hope you tried it 🙂

      Reply
    4. Velva says

      January 04, 2010 at 7:49 pm

      Awesome Mexican Layer dip recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us.

      Happy New Year.

      Reply
    5. Jj says

      January 04, 2010 at 9:14 pm

      Ohh that looks so good! I, too love Mexican foods, especially Mexican seasoned cheese. Nummy! I even sprinkle some on my frozen pizzas! lol! Happy New Year!

      Reply
    6. ngs says

      January 04, 2010 at 11:18 pm

      Thanks Velva - I hope you tried the recipe 🙂

      Thanks Jj - Yes, seasoned Mexican cheese is awesome, I eat it just like that 🙂

      Happy New Year!!!

      Reply
    7. vincent says

      January 04, 2010 at 6:25 pm

      Hello,

      We bumped into your blog and we really liked it - great recipes YUM YUM.
      We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.

      We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
      enjoy your recipes.

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      Best regards,

      Vincent
      petitchef.com

      Reply
    8. Cynthia says

      January 07, 2010 at 5:49 pm

      This was definately a crowd pleaser! I enjoyed it! A must for any Cinco de Mayo celebration!!

      Reply
    9. ngs says

      January 08, 2010 at 3:35 am

      This tastes even better the next day!!

      Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      June 27, 2011 at 5:08 pm

      Can I make this dip day before the party?

      Reply
    11. honeywhatscooking says

      June 27, 2011 at 7:07 pm

      @Anonymous - You sure can, it actually tastes better the next day. Just make sure you drain the tomatoes well so it isn't watery.

      Reply
    12. Anonymous says

      June 27, 2011 at 8:21 pm

      Thank you so much for your prompt response. I have recently discovered your blog and it is awesome!!!! I have already tried few things and absolutely LOVE it. Thanks again.

      Reply
    13. Aarthi says

      July 05, 2011 at 6:44 am

      Hai Dear

      This looks yummy....you have a lovely blog...Please check out my blog..It is for food lovers and person who love to cook..You could find so many recipes that you can easily try at home..I update this blog on a regular basis…So please follow me and motivate me..Thank you
      https://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/>
      Aarthi

      Reply
      • Uma says

        February 08, 2021 at 6:04 pm

        5 stars
        Hi Nisha, made this dip, turned out really good my husband and my girls really enjoyed it. Only thing different I did was put the pan in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese melted. Overall very easy and nice recipe. Thank you for sharing your recipes.

        Reply
    14. Anonymous says

      October 01, 2012 at 4:32 pm

      Looks great!!

      Reply
    15. ShibiThomas says

      November 05, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      The dip looks yummy, I bet it tastes good too!!!

      Reply
    16. Sheenam says

      February 09, 2021 at 12:27 am

      5 stars
      Made it for Super Bowl evening and it was super hit. We all loved the dip and it was all gone within minutes. 💕💕

      Reply
    17. Charu says

      February 13, 2023 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      This was super easy to make and so delicious, thanks for the recipe!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Nisha! I'm a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the way, I inspire you to eat better.

    More about me →


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