Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned, this easy-to-make taco dip recipe makes the ultimate appetizer. This no-bake recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes with 6 simple ingredients. Perfect for dipping tortilla chips, dunking quesadillas, and scooping with taquitos, this taco dip is guaranteed to be a hit!
I’m pretty sure that my mom has been making this taco dip since before I was even alive. It showed up every now and then at summer picnics, New Year’s Eve parties, and other random times. As a kid who loved tacos, I was infatuated with this and went crazy for it every time it came out.
As an adult, I love it still!
When most people hear about this taco dip they often assume it’s a 7-layer dip. While both are excellent for chip dipping, they have a few differences.
This taco dip has one main base with a few fresh toppings while a 7-layer dip has 7 distinct layers.
There is no baking in this taco dip while some 7-layer dips involve baking the base layers.
The base of 7-layer dip uses cream cheese instead of mayo (although you can use cream cheese in this dip, as well!).
The Ingredients
For the dip, you will need just a few ingredients…
Sour cream: Gives the dip a nice tang while also keeping it cool and creamy. You can substitute plain Greek yogurt if you’d like.
Mayonnaise: Thickens up the sour cream while also keeping the dish creamy. If you like tang, use cream cheese instead!
Taco seasoning: Adds a kick of flavor. You can use homemade or a store-bought taco blend.
Toppings: Layer on your toppings! My go-to’s are shredded iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, and shredded cheddar cheese; see the next section for even more ideas!
Topping Ideas
As every taco-lover knows, everyone has their favorite toppings! Here are a few other ways you can try to top this taco dip. Know that some of these toppings might impact the shelf-life of the dip (I’m lookin’ at you, avocados.)
Add a layer of diced avocado, or spread a layer of guacamole on top of the taco dip base before topping with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
Swap out the diced tomatoes for a homemade or store-bought pico de gallo.
Kick up the heat with a layer of pickled jalapeños.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and diced green onion.
Add in some protein with a layer of drained and rinsed black beans.
Make it in a few easy steps!
Now that you have your ingredients the hard part is really done.
To make this creamy taco dip there are just 4 things you will need to do: whisk, spread, top, and chill.
Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and taco seasoning until thoroughly blended.
Spread the mixture in an even layer in a casserole dish.
Top: Sprinkle the shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and shredded cheese (and any other toppings you plan to use) on top of the taco dip base.
Chill until ready to serve.
Serving Ideas
You can often find me with a large bowl of tortilla chips next to this taco dip. A few other foods to serve this dip with include:
Doritos- Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese are excellent
Quesadilla wedges
Taquitos
Storing, Sitting Out, Make Ahead
Storing: Keep your taco dip, covered in the casserole dish for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Sitting Out: Since there is mayo in the base, try not to leave the dip out longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
Making Ahead: If you wanting to prep ahead you can easily make this taco dip up to 3 days in advance, simply store covered in the refrigerator.
This wildly addictive taco dip makes the ultimate appetizer for any occasion. 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.
If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️
This easy-to-make taco dip comes together in 10 minutes with a few fresh ingredients. Perfect for dipping, dunking, and scooping, this dip is sure to be a hit!
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.
Recipe Notes:
Sour Cream: You can substitute plain Greek yogurt.
Mayonnaise: If you have an aversion to mayonnaise and/or you like more tang, substitute room temperature cream cheese.
Taco Seasoning: You can use store-bought or make your own homemade taco seasoning mix (I always have a large jar of it in my pantry!).
Additional Topping Ideas: Olives, jalapenos, guacamole, diced avocado, salsa, pico de gallo, chopped red onion, cilantro, green onion, and black beans.
Storing: Keep the dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Sitting Out: Since there is dairy in the base, the dip should not sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
Making Ahead: If you wanting to prep ahead you can easily make this taco dip up to 3 days in advance, simply store covered in the refrigerator.
Fabulous! I’d forgotten about this great dip. We use cream cheese instead of the Mayo. We also spread a layer of taco sauce on the creamy part then add the toppings. Ahhhh I gotta make this right now.
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
Fabulous! I’d forgotten about this great dip. We use cream cheese instead of the Mayo. We also spread a layer of taco sauce on the creamy part then add the toppings. Ahhhh I gotta make this right now.
Omg! I can’t wait to bite the crunch. It looks so tasty. I definitely gonna make it for my family this weekend.
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…