My mom has been making this easy taco dip recipe for literally as long as I can remember. My parents always hosted a New Year’s Eve party and this dip was a staple; it was also made often for summer cookouts. The dip is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and taco seasonings, then covered in your favorite taco toppings. If you’re a taco lover, grab your favorite chips and dig in!
Do you have a child that is obsessed with one particular food? That they would request for every single meal if they could? Maybe it’s chicken nuggets or mac and cheese… Dominic would certainly eat Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches morning, noon, and night if he could.
Me? When I was a kid, I was absolutely infatuated with tacos. If we were at the mall and stopping to eat at the food court, I always wanted to go to Taco Bell. If my mom asked me what I wanted for dinner, the answer was always tacos. I couldn’t get enough of that seasoned beef in a crunchy shell and topped with lettuce, cheese, and taco sauce, thank you very much.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I have been in love with this taco dip since elementary school.
How Easy Is It To Make This Taco Dip?
E.A.S.Y. So, so easy. 10 minutes easy.
All you’ll need to do is whisk together some mayonnaise, sour cream, and taco seasoning; I highly recommend using your own homemade taco seasoning mix, but a store-bought packet will work as well. Then, go crazy with those toppings! I love the simplicity of lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese, but add whatever you like – black beans, corn, green chiles, chopped avocado, drizzle it with taco sauce or salsa… the sky is the limit.
Every single time I have made this dip, it has disappeared entirely. No leftovers. It hasn’t mattered how many people were at the gathering; never a bite left behind.
So whether you have a little taco lover in your family or are just looking for a quick and easy dip recipe that you can pop in the fridge until it’s served, this old recipe will serve you well.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and taco seasoning until thoroughly blended.
Spread in a square casserole dish. Top with the shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and shredded cheese. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in July 2010, updated in April 2015 with new photos, and refreshed again in July 2019 with updated photos and improvements to recipe tips and instructions.
I am thrilled to have found your recipe!! I lost mine some time ago but remember it had mayo and sour cream. All the recipes I have searched use cream cheese. I wasn’t sure if I would like that. Then I found yours!! So excited to have the measurements for that layer of the dip. By far one of the best dips ever! Thank you! And keep posting 😁
We made a version of this for yeeeeeeears. But ours was called something like 7 layer dip or bean dip. We spread refried beans onto a pretty crystal platter then sour cream, then guacamole then finely shredded cheese (has to be fine shred), then chopped tomatoes, then finely chopped black olives ending with finely chopped green onions….phew, that was long. Your version looks yummy too. I love all things taco as well, even Taco Bell is a guilty pleasure. Tried their nacho fries, omg yummy.
This is very very close to my family’s recipe except we use 8 oz of cream cheese instead of the mayo. Also we HAVE to use Ortega Taco Seasoning and Philly cream cheese or else it just doesn’t taste right. I may have to try it with mayo at some point…
This looks so good. We start testing to see if my breastfed son has grown out of his soy/dairy allergy in a month so I am now opening up myself to the hope of being able to eat ALL THE CHEESE.
I thought Taco Dip would have meat in it also. Isn’t a Taco served with meat and the lettuce,tomato,etc. put on top? This reminds me more of Taco Salad.
Taco dips are wonderful! I grew up eating one like this as well, except my mother liked adding black olives! Yours sounds a little better for my tastes. :) Tacos are wonderful in whatever form.
This recipe brings back good memories of my kids. I’ve made this many times when my children were younger. My youngest son graduates from college this weekend and will be home. This is on my list of things to make for him! He will be soooo happy ( and of course Mom will be too).
This dip uses the same basic principle mine does of mixing the sour cream with the taco seasoning, but I layer mine with beans, the sour cream/seasoning mixture, cheese, freshly chopped tomatoes, and olives! It’s delicious :). My mom even adds guacamole to hers. That’s the fun thing about dips, you can add whatever you want!
Meant to tell you that I made this for our New Year’s Eve party last year, which had a “tropical” theme with foods inspired by warm places. It was delicious and so easy to make! Thanks very much for sharing.
I made this dip for my little girl’s birthday party. It was absolutely fabulous!!! I made two pans and my crowd cleaned them out. I love your recipes. Thank you!!!
Taco dip is one of my all time favorites! I’m making a version of this for a get together tonight. I use cream cheese and sour cream and add scallions too. There is never any left–yum!
OMG something about this taco dip turns me into a 12 year old saying Taco dip is my favorite thing ever ever evvver! But seriously, it is. I could (have) eat my weight in that stuff.
Bet the crisp cool lettuce contrasts nicely with the creaminess of the dip. My favorite guilty pleasure is BBQ Fritos (not always easy to fine) and French Onion Dip. Oh yeah!
I, too, am obsessed with dips and appetizers. And I keep asking ,”when’s football season again?” because I miss it so much – mostly because of the food and fun it brings! I am so adding this one to my arsenal. xxSAS
I am thrilled to have found your recipe!! I lost mine some time ago but remember it had mayo and sour cream. All the recipes I have searched use cream cheese. I wasn’t sure if I would like that. Then I found yours!! So excited to have the measurements for that layer of the dip. By far one of the best dips ever! Thank you! And keep posting 😁
We made a version of this for yeeeeeeears. But ours was called something like 7 layer dip or bean dip. We spread refried beans onto a pretty crystal platter then sour cream, then guacamole then finely shredded cheese (has to be fine shred), then chopped tomatoes, then finely chopped black olives ending with finely chopped green onions….phew, that was long. Your version looks yummy too. I love all things taco as well, even Taco Bell is a guilty pleasure. Tried their nacho fries, omg yummy.
I love a good seven layer dip!
Interesting. This is a staple at every party in Milwaukee, WI…I’ve never used mayo. We use cream cheese and sour cream. At least everyone I know does…
Loved it! Added black olives and Taco sauce with a 4 cheese blend.
I’d like to add a layer of the spiced beef too…maybe between the base (mayo and sour cream) and the other toppings?
HI Vivian, That sounds great!!
I love to make this when I go to parties, people go crazy for it.
This is very very close to my family’s recipe except we use 8 oz of cream cheese instead of the mayo. Also we HAVE to use Ortega Taco Seasoning and Philly cream cheese or else it just doesn’t taste right. I may have to try it with mayo at some point…
I’ve been making this Fiesta Ranch Dip (http://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com/2014/01/fiesta-ranch-dip.html?m=1) for a while and love it, but I may have to switch it up with this yummy sounding recipe. :-)
This looks so good. We start testing to see if my breastfed son has grown out of his soy/dairy allergy in a month so I am now opening up myself to the hope of being able to eat ALL THE CHEESE.
Looks delicious!
Taco dip is always magical. I love the consistency and flavors. Usually, I end up over eating it! :)
I’ve made a dip very similar to this but instead of mayo, blend the sour cream with 8 oz of cream cheese. It is amazing…something you may want to try.
I love taco dip. This looks so tasty!
I’ve made a version of this in the past (very popular) that used sour cream, french onion dip (subbed for the mayo) and the taco seasoning. Yum!
I thought Taco Dip would have meat in it also. Isn’t a Taco served with meat and the lettuce,tomato,etc. put on top? This reminds me more of Taco Salad.
Taco dips are wonderful! I grew up eating one like this as well, except my mother liked adding black olives! Yours sounds a little better for my tastes. :) Tacos are wonderful in whatever form.
This recipe brings back good memories of my kids. I’ve made this many times when my children were younger. My youngest son graduates from college this weekend and will be home. This is on my list of things to make for him! He will be soooo happy ( and of course Mom will be too).
This is a great recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen! Great party idea!
WOW! This is so cool, quick, easy and yummy. I make my own taco seasoning too.
This dip uses the same basic principle mine does of mixing the sour cream with the taco seasoning, but I layer mine with beans, the sour cream/seasoning mixture, cheese, freshly chopped tomatoes, and olives! It’s delicious :). My mom even adds guacamole to hers. That’s the fun thing about dips, you can add whatever you want!
Meant to tell you that I made this for our New Year’s Eve party last year, which had a “tropical” theme with foods inspired by warm places. It was delicious and so easy to make! Thanks very much for sharing.
I love taco dip too. Such a classic and just delicious. I could also make a meal of it. And have.
I made this dip for my little girl’s birthday party. It was absolutely fabulous!!! I made two pans and my crowd cleaned them out. I love your recipes. Thank you!!!
One of my weaknesses is a delicious dip. I’m quite the snacker! I would love to sit down with a big bowl of this and go to town!
Taco dip is one of my all time favorites! I’m making a version of this for a get together tonight. I use cream cheese and sour cream and add scallions too. There is never any left–yum!
How fun! I love a good dip recipe.
What a great dip, yum!
Taco dip is so dang good! And now I REALLY want some!
OMG something about this taco dip turns me into a 12 year old saying Taco dip is my favorite thing ever ever evvver!
But seriously, it is. I could (have) eat my weight in that stuff.
Bet the crisp cool lettuce contrasts nicely with the creaminess of the dip. My favorite guilty pleasure is BBQ Fritos (not always easy to fine) and French Onion Dip. Oh yeah!
This looks great! I love the versatility and the edges lined with scoops :)
I always love dips, this is one is a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
Great dip for the 4th!!
Guilty! I can’t say no to dips. This looks delish…and simple! ;)
I, too, am obsessed with dips and appetizers. And I keep asking ,”when’s football season again?” because I miss it so much – mostly because of the food and fun it brings! I am so adding this one to my arsenal. xxSAS
Is it bad that I ate most of this for dinner last night??!? haha
I’m normally dangerous around dip. If I had this one in front of me, I can see myself gobbling it all up. Looks delicious Michelle.
You can never go wrong with Taco Dip!
I love dips! This looks delicious…I will have to try this out this weekend
Dips like this are always my favorite at grill parties. Perfect for the upcoming weekend!
I LOVE layer dips. I especially love them with guacamole and olives. Yum yum yum…