• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tidbits-Marci.com

Inspiration for Tasty Living

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work with me
    • Media Kit
    • Disclosure and Policy
  • Recipes Index
  • Instant Pot Basics
  • Shop
  • Contact
You are at Home and DIY
Home and DIY
Food and recipes
You are at Home and DIY

You are here: Home / Recipes by Category / Dips / 7 Layer Bean Dip with Instant Pot Refried Beans

7 Layer Bean Dip with Instant Pot Refried Beans

June 25, 2019

Jump To RecipePrint Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items I love and have had a positive experience with. Thank you!

486 shares
FREE EMAIL BONUS
5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks
HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THE INSTANT POT
Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top
Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top
7 layer bean dip on a plate with chips
Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top

What better recipe to show off your Instant Pot Refried Beans than the famous 7 Layer Bean Dip.  This recipe was created by my mom and has been proclaimed, “BEST LAYERED BEAN DIP EVER!” for the past 30 years.  That's serious street cred right there.


Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top

“Mama knows best”.

There is a reason that statement has been spoken for thousands of years.  Now that I'm a mom arguing with my son about whether or not a filled bathtub is a great place to sleep at night . . . I know for a fact, mama knows best.  And now so does my son after his tub water turned cold.

You guys, my mom has been making this 7 Layer Bean Dip since I was a kid and after seeing people rave about it time and time again, I can assure you that my mom did indeed know best here, 'cause she created a layered dip to trump any dip you've ever had.

This here dip is your answer for parties, showers, healthy side dishes, gifts, you name it, this bean dip has your back.

WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED 7 LAYER DIP?

For anyone living under a rock for the past 50 years or toddlers just learning to talk, the very popular 7 Layer Bean Dip is basically layers of Tex-Mex type ingredients that are served with tortilla or corn chips.  Most common layers are refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, and olives.

The number 7 is flexible since you can decide what ingredients you might want to add or subtract.  In fact, my brother insists on a 5 layer dip minus the guacamole and jalapenos – crazy boy.

Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top and chips

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS 7 LAYER MEXICAN DIP

  • It starts off with the most amazing homemade Instant Pot Refried Beans – You've already achieved ultimate bean dip status right there.
  • All of the best Mexican food condiments in one place.  Who came up with this amazing idea anyways!?
  • Easy to assemble, crowd pleaser, mostly healthy, looks pretty, make ahead, etc etc etc

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MEXICAN LAYER DIP

  1. Spread about 2 cups of refried beans in an 11×7 or 9×9 pan
  2. Layer with chopped Roma tomatoes
  3. Dollop guacamole over tomatoes and gently spread to cover
  4. Mix taco seasoning into sour cream and spread it over the guacamole
  5. Sprinkle sour cream with cheddar cheese
  6. Top with olives and pickled jalapenos

Step by step collage of how to make 7 layer bean dip

Grab a bag of my favorite whole grain scoop chips and go to town!  Seriously, I can't emphasize it enough.  This is the best bean dip ever.  How could something so basic be so magical?!  Oh, right, remember “mama knows best.”

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST MEXICAN BEAN DIP

HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS

  • It's so easy in the pressure cooker and they are so much better than storebought.  You want them spreadable so add a little water or broth if needed.  However, in a pinch, I do love the canned Taco Bell Fat Free Refried Beans.

DRAIN THE TOMATOES

  • Excess moisture in the tomatoes will ruin a good bean dip.  Chop them, place them in a strainer, sprinkle them with a little salt and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.

FRESH GUACAMOLE

  • Whether you buy fresh guac from your store's deli section or you make it at home, quality guacamole is a must.  For a 3 minute homemade guacamole, use Litehouse Guacamole Blend.  I use this stuff almost weekly, it was my favorite product find of 2018.

FLAVOR THE SOUR CREAM

  • Plain ol' sour cream falls flat in bean dip.  Give it a solid sprinkle of your favorite taco seasoning so it can add to the flavor of the dip instead of diluting it.  My mom uses storebought, but I'll include my favorite Homemade Taco Seasoning in the recipe

PICKLED JALAPENOS

  • This addition to my mom's bean dip came from my husband's suggestion when we were first married, and I'll be dipped if he didn't dope my mom's dip even more.  Go for pickled “tamed” jalapenos so everyone is happy.

CAN LAYERED BEAN DIP BE MADE AHEAD?

I'm predicting that this will be the question on many of your minds and according to extensive testing done by my mom over the years – yes, this can be made a day ahead, as long as the tomatoes are properly drained and guacamole has lime juice in it to keep it from turning brown.

I will confirm that my mom's leftovers that I sneak are indeed even better the next day.

Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top

HOW TO STORE 7 LAYER BEAN DIP

Simply cover the bean dip with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.  If it's for an event I also suggest you place it in the very back of the fridge with a sign on it that says “eat and die” just in case.

Day 2 it's still perfect, day 3 the tomatoes get a little watery, by day 4 of snacking on leftovers it's looking a bit sad, but I can't say it has stopped me from busting out more chips.

VARIATIONS OF LAYERED BEAN DIP

Well . . . I'm inclined to say that there are simply no variations to this recipe, but if you must, here are some thoughts:

  • Swap the sour cream for greek yogurt
  • Use black refried beans instead of pinto (this is actually amazing, make your own by cooking these beans an extra 10 minutes in this Black Beans recipe and then mash them)
  • Drizzle it with Healthy Nacho Cheese Sauce (this just came to me, I'm gonna test it and report back!)
  • Add Ground Taco Meat
  • Top with shredded lettuce for texture
  • Swap cheddar for pepper jack, Monterey jack, or Chihuahua

But please, oh please, before you make any variations, try my wonderful mom's famous bean dip recipe as is, then report back and tell her how she has changed your life for the better down in the comments.

My mom doesn't love cooking, never has, but her few signature dishes (apple strudel!) have indeed stood the test of time for good reason.  You're gonna rock some boats with this recipe and now it's online and ready for you to share!  I couldn't be more proud.

Enjoy!

Scoop of 7 layer bean dip on a chip

EXTRA TIDBITS

WHAT MAKES GUACAMOLE TURN BROWN

Word of the day: Oxidation: When fruits and vegetables come in contact with air and start a process called enzymic browning.  I'm going to save you the essay and refer you to this article for more information.

The important thing to know is that this browning doesn't always mean that the food has gone “bad”, but it can affect the flavor and texture and set it up for going bad more quickly.

HOW TO KEEP GUACAMOLE GREEN

So now that we know oxygen is what causes our guacamole to go brown, here are some tips and tricks on how to keep it bright green.

ADD LIME JUICE

  • It's great for flavor as well as keeping your guac green for longer.

AIR BARRIER

  • The reason the guacamole in this bean dip stays green is because it's covered on all sides, preventing the air from making contact.

WATER AND PLASTIC WRAP

  • This trick doesn't apply to the bean dip here, but if you have leftover guacamole, press it down in the bowl and add just a little water to cover the top.  Cover with plastic wrap.  I learned that trick from The Kitchn smarties and it works like a charm.

FOODSAVER

  • I really hate wasting food, so I've been known to put my leftover guacamole in a Foodsaver bag and seal it up.  It works!

TIDBITS TRICK

  • If you have my cookbook, Master the Electric Pressure Cooker, check out page 235 for the scoop on a little trick I discovered amidst some intense avocado testing.

Do you have any secrets?  Let us know in the comments below.

7 layer bean dip on a plate with chips

TOOLS/INGREDIENTS USED TO MAKE 7 LAYER BEAN DIP WITH INSTANT POT REFRIED BEANS

  • Instant Pot
  • Litehouse Guacamole Blend
  • Tamed Pickled Jalapenos
Print

7 Layer Bean Dip

Plate of 7 layer bean dip with cheese and olives on top
Print Recipe

This easy, nutritious, crowd-pleasing 7 Layer Bean Dip is your new go to for an incredible side dish for party's and beyond.

  • Author: Marci
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 8 - 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Pressure Cooker
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 – 4 roma tomatoes, chopped small
  • 1 1/2 cups homemade refried beans or 14 ounce can
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups fresh guacamole (store bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup sour cream (lite or regular)
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (store bought or see homemade version below)
  • Grated cheddar cheese
  • sliced olives
  • diced tamed pickled jalapenos from a jar
  • To serve: tortilla or corn chips

For Homemade Taco Seasoning (Can be doubled or tripled)

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Place chopped tomatoes in a strainer, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and allow them to drain for 15 – 20 minutes.  Press on them lightly with a paper towel.  They don't need to be dry by any means, we just want excess liquid drained off.
  2. Spread refried beans on the bottom of an 11×7 or 9×9 dish.
  3. Scatter drained tomatoes over top.
  4. Scoop dollops of guacamole over the tomatoes, then carefully spread over the top.
  5. Mix 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning into the sour cream.  Taste and add extra taco seasoning or salt if desired.  Spread evenly over the guacamole.
  6. Top with the desired amount of cheddar cheese, sliced olives, and diced jalapeños.
  7. Serve or refrigerate for a few hours for the best flavor.
  8. Can be made up to one day in advance.  After day 3 it gets a little watery, but it still tastes wonderful.

Notes

  • You want the refried beans to be spreadable, not stiff.  Add a little warm water or broth if needed.
  • Use Roma tomatoes.  They have less liquid than other tomatoes.
  • The secret to the best layered dip is that each layer has FLAVOR!  Taste along the way making sure that each layer is seasoned nicely.

Keywords: 7 layer bean dip, instant pot refried beans, mexican bean dip

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marci at Tidbits
Marci

Welcome! I’m Marci, wife to my motorcycle dream man and mother of 3. I have a passion for creating and cooking delicious masterpieces in my kitchen and am ecstatic to share my discoveries on TIDBITS! I like my food tasty, wholesome, memorable, and always, ALWAYS followed by dark, salty chocolate.

I love to see what you're cooking from my blog! Show me your creations on Instagram using hashtag #MARCITIDBITS
For more TIDBITS food talk, join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube

FREE EMAIL BONUS
5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks
HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THE INSTANT POT
486 shares

Tags: cheddar cheese, guacamole, jalapeños, olives, refried beans, sour cream, tomato, tortilla chips
Leave a Comment

You might also like

  • Instant Pot Taco MeatInstant Pot Taco Meat
  • Instant Pot Green Chile Beef Burritos + How to Make the Ultimate BurritoInstant Pot Green Chile Beef Burritos + How to Make the Ultimate Burrito
  • Instant Pot Easy Tamale PieInstant Pot Easy Tamale Pie
  • Instant Pot Chipotle Ranch Chicken EnchiladasInstant Pot Chipotle Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam says

    July 12, 2019

    I am not a fan of retried beans but I am now!
    Delicious!
    My family loved the dip and I made it just as it said .
    Wondering if anyone has added chick or beef.
    This is the first time I have ever wrote a comment on a recipe!
    I had to let the world know how great this is!

    Reply
    • Marci says

      July 15, 2019

      Pam, thank you so much for commenting! I love to hear it! Homemade refried beans are far superior! I think meat would be a great addition!

      Reply
  2. Laurel says

    June 25, 2019

    This looks just like our 7 layer dip except swap homemade salsa for taco seasoning. Its Husbands favorite side dish! I personally would pick a bowl of black beans over pinto any day.

    Reply
    • Marci says

      June 26, 2019

      Laurel, Now that’s a great idea! I’m going to try that.

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Marci at Tidbits
Pressure Cooker Freezer Meals - TIDBITS Marci

Reader Favorites

  • instant pot breakfast casserole on a plate with toast Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole in a Jar
  • Three bowls of pressure cooker pasta in a row How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot – The Perfect Formula
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast on plate with mashed potato and biscuit Instant Pot Pot Roast (Tender + Flavorful)
  • Instant Pot Mexican Inspired Healthy Crack Chicken in a bowl Instant Pot Healthy Crack Chicken
  • Oatmeal muffins in a basket with a blue cloth Instant Pot Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins AKA BeeBo Bites
  • Instant Pot Steak Fajitas on a plate with peppers and onions Instant Pot Easy Steak Fajitas

Instant Pot Freezer Meals

  • Frozen meals in a bag with ribbons Instant Pot Freezer Meal Gift Ideas with Free Printables
  • butternut squash soup in a white bowl with peanuts and basil Instant Pot Healthy Butternut Squash Soup with a Thai Twist
  • Instant Pot Chipotle Peach BBQ Ribs on a plate Instant Pot Chipotle Peach BBQ Ribs
  • Top shot of creamy enchilada soup in a white bowl Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • two instant pot tamales on a plate Instant Pot Tamales – Healthy Version
  • Philly Cheesesteak on a wood cutting board Instant Pot Easy Philly Cheesesteak

free email bonus

5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks

How to save time and money
with the Instant Pot
Our digital ecookbook, get your copy now for all your devices.

Archives

Country Living - TIDBITS Marci
Instant Pot - TIDBITS Marci
Today - TIDBITS Marci
Daily Burn - TIDBITS Marci
Pure Wow - TIDBITS Marci

Footer

TIDBITS Marci

free email bonus

5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks

How to save time and money with the Instant Pot


 

Copyright © 2022 · Tidbits on Genesis Framework · Disclosure and Privacy Policy · WordPress · Log in

486 shares