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Take your taco Tuesday or party, picnic, or gathering to the next level with this simple Taco Dip that takes only a few easy steps to prepare and is practically irresistible. Not your average 7-layer dip though, this taco dip with meat is hearty, has a cream cheese and sour cream base, and is filled with delicious toppings.
Party appetizers get me every time and I always find it hard to leave a good spread. I also find some of the best conversations happen over Sausage Balle, Bacon Wrapped Dates, or the infamous Party Meatballs.
The first time I had 7-layer dip was at a friend’s house who lived down the street from me. They were having a backyard barbecue and were the friends with a pool. It was love at first bite, which is how I feel about this taco dip with beef.
Though it’s similar this cold taco dip has ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning. This addition also makes it extremely hardy. That paired with the sour cream and cream cheese layer makes it unique, but delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
While this dip is easy to make, can easily be changed, and also makes a pretty presentation, it also isn’t super deep. This means when you scoop your chip into the dip you can grab all the layers in one swipe for the perfect chip-to-dip ratio.
- Versatile. This layered taco dip with beef can also be made vegetarian, by swapping the meat for refried beans. The swaps don’t stop there though as the toppings are endless.
- Easy to make. If you can make tacos then you can make this dip. There are no complicated steps and only a small amount of cooking to brown the meat.
- Makes for a pretty presentation. No need to grab your casserole dish for this dip, although you can, it looks beautiful with the cream cheese and sour cream layer spread on a platter and all the other ingredients perfectly layered on top.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient Notes
- Cream Cheese – I prefer to use full-fat cream cheese for the initial layer because it’s creamier and thicker. This allows it to hold up easier.
- Sour Cream – You can sour cream or Greek yogurt, but personally, I feel like sour cream is just made for tacos. It’s mixed together with the cream cheese to smooth and lighten it up.
- Taco Seasoning – Make your own seasoning blend or grab a packet at the grocery store. This is a key ingredient to seasoning the ground beef that brings that taco taste. You can also use this blend to add some spice to your dip or keep it mild.
- Ground Beef – Any ground meat or even shredded beef will work for this recipe. I always use lean ground beef so there’s not a ton of fat that needs to be drained after cooking it. I want all the seasoning to soak up in the meat.
Additional Toppings
Basically, anything you can put on a taco you can put on this dip. The toppings truly are endless. Some of my favorite options are below.
- Pickled Onions
- Pickled Jalapeños and Carrots
- Sliced Olives
- Pico de Gallo
- Avocado
- Fresh Cilantro
- Salsa
- Refried Beans
- Diced Bell Pepper
How to Make Easy Taco Dip
- Beat the cream cheese and sour cream. In a small bowl using a handheld mixer beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes. Spread the mixture onto the bottom of a serving platter or even a baking dish. Place it in the fridge to chill while you prepare the ground beef.
- Brown the meat. In a small skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Add the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup of water and continue to cook the meat until the water has been absorbed into the meat, about 5 more minutes. Cool completely and spread on top of the cream cheese.
- Layer on the toppings. Sprinkle the shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, and green onions on top without completely covering the previous layer.
Serving Suggestions
There are many different ways to serve this layered taco dip. You’re not limited to using a Pyrex baking dish either. If you’d like a different presentation or something simple try spreading the layers on a board, such as a cheese board, or on a tray as I’ve done in the pictures. You can also use one of the options listed below.
- Pie Dish
- Casserole Dish
- Board
- Tray
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
- Storage Instructions: Any leftovers can be covered tightly and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. The lettuce will start to soften, but it will all still taste delicious.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: This is a cold taco dip that’s best served chilled so it’s great to make it ahead of when you plan on serving it. Follow the directions for setting up the cream cheese layer and the ground beef layer. Then cover it and store it in the fridge. If you’d like prep your toppings and store those in separate bags for easy assembly. When you’re ready to serve the dip just add your toppings.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- When layering all your toppings on don’t completely cover each layer evenly like you would in a 7-layer dip. Allo some of the previous layers to show through, which creates a nice look, but also keeps the dip thin so you can grab each layer on a single chip.
- Don’t like a specific topping? Just as I order my pizza with half cheese and half pepperoni you can set up this dip the same one. I love jalapeños, but often my kids are eating this dip too so one side has them and the other doesn’t.
- There’s more than one way to use and serve this dip. Taco dip goes well with more than just tortilla chips too. Try it with veggies, and crackers, or use it as a taco or quesadilla topping. You can also arrange it into individual servings by layering it into appetizer bowls.
FAQS
Yes, taco dip can be made in advance and is best served chilled. Make it the day before you plan on serving it and keep it covered in the fridge until just before you’re ready to put it out.
This could be due to not draining the ground beef after you’ve browned it or to ingredients such as tomatoes that tend to have additional water content. Try dicing the tomatoes and spread them on an even layer on a paper towel to drain before adding them to the dip.
Related Recipes
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Taco Dip
Equipment
- Handheld Mixer
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1½ cups Sour Cream
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
Toppings
- 2 cups Lettuce shredded
- 1½ cups Shredded Cheese
- 2 medium Tomatoes diced
- 2 tablespoons Pickled Jalapeños optional
- 2 tablespoons Green Onions chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl using a handheld mixer beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spread the mixture onto the bottom of a serving platter or even a baking dish. Place it in the fridge to chill while you prepare the ground beef.
- In a small skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Add the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup of water and continue to cook the meat until the water has been absorbed into the meat, about 5 more minutes.
- Allow the beef to cool completely and spread on top of the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle the shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, and green onions on top without completely covering the previous layer.
Notes
- When layering all your toppings on don’t completely cover each layer evenly like you would in a 7-layer dip. Allo some of the previous layers to show through, which creates a nice look, but also keeps the dip thin so you can grab each layer on a single chip.
- Don’t like a specific topping? Just as I order my pizza with half cheese and half pepperoni you can set up this dip the same one. I love jalapeños, but often my kids are eating this dip too so one side has them and the other doesn’t.
- There’s more than one way to use and serve this dip. Taco dip goes well with more than just tortilla chips too. Try it with veggies, and crackers, or use it as a taco or quesadilla topping. You can also arrange it into individual servings by layering it into appetizer bowls.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
- Storage Instructions: Any leftovers can be covered tightly and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. The lettuce will start to soften, but it will all still taste delicious.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: This is a cold taco dip that’s best served chilled so it’s great to make it ahead of when you plan on serving it. Follow the directions for setting up the cream cheese layer and the ground beef layer. Then cover it and store it in the fridge. If you’d like prep your toppings and store those in separate bags for easy assembly. When you’re ready to serve the dip just add your toppings.
