This easy 5 layer dip is a super simple take on a layered appetizer with beans, seasoned sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and fresh toppings! It's the best flavorful and quick easy appetizer perfect for your next party that everyone will love.

This super simple and tasty dip is the perfect game day snack. I know something so easy can sound skeptical, but the flavor combination is incredible! And if you're wondering what the 5 layers are, they're refried beans, seasoned sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo with garnishes! It's the easiest and best layer bean dip recipe for when you need a quick recipe that's also delicious.
This dip is perfect for a Super Bowl party, Cinco de Mayo, or whenever you're craving a super satisfying and fresh recipe. The layers make this so fun, and if you have a glass dish it's extra cool to get to see them! This versatile dip is also great because it's easily customizable based on what you like.
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for another dip recipe? Check out our Marry Me Chicken Dip! It's fun and equally delicious. For another recipe that'd be perfect for a party or other entertaining experience, we think you'll love our Fried Cheese Balls, a fun bite-sized version of mozzarella sticks.
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Why You'll Love this 5-Layer Dip
- It's the easiest appetizer! Nothing gets more simple than this dip, which requires no cooking and just some preparation time. It's totally up to you whether you use homemade or store-bought components, and either way it will be delicious and full of flavor!
- Best combination of ingredients. Speaking of flavor, between the heartiness from the refried beans, the creamy sour cream, the zesty guacamole, some shredded cheese, and fresh toppings, this layer dip recipe has it all! Pair it with some crispy tortilla chips and this may be the best dip ever!
- It's a great non-hot recipe. Because this dip is best cold and at room-temperature, it's the perfect dip to make to not have to worry about it staying hot! My friends and I have enjoyed this on a boat before, during a football game no one will complain about it having to be reheated, it's easy to transport, and can even be made ahead of time.
Ingredients for this Easy Dip
This dip recipe has a simple and short ingredients list which is also customizable!
- Sour cream - For the layer of sour cream I recommend using full fat. Also I promise if you don't like sour cream plain (like me!) then mixing it with the taco seasoning and pairing it with all the other layers adds so much to the dip! For a substitute, greek yogurt could most likely work but I personally haven't tried it.
- Taco seasoning - In my opinion a full layer of plain sour cream is too bland/creamy, so mixing in some taco seasoning adds a great flavorful and zippy punch to the dip. You can use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning, but personally for an easy recipe I find it great to save time by buying a packet of taco seasoning. I love the McCormick brand option! Anything with things like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano is great!
- Refried beans - You can warm up the refried beans before spreading in the bottom of the dish if you like, but to save time I had no issue with spreading them on straight from the can. I like to use traditional refried beans but refried black beans would also be great. This should also definitely be the first layer since it's densest.
- Guacamole - Store-bought or homemade works, just make sure it has enough salt!
- Lime juice - Fresh lime juice squeezed on top of the guacamole layer is key in my opinion for this recipe. It adds an extra zesty flavor and also keeps the guacamole layer green! Some lime zest added on top of the finished dip is also great.
- Cheese - Mexican-style cheese blend, sharp cheddar cheese, Colby jack cheese, or Monterey jack cheese are all great options for the cheese layer. Just make sure it's shredded, and I'll be honest, I don't think in this recipe it matters if it's freshly shredded or bagged! Since we're not melting it, I think it's totally fine to make life easy and buy the pre-shredded option.
- Pico de gallo - Again, store-bought or homemade works! I do think pico de gallo in this recipe is definitely the better option compared to diced cherry tomatoes or any other type of salsa. Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the pico de gallo though to ensure it doesn't water-down the dip.
- Scallions - Finely chopped green parts of some scallions add some extra flavor, bite, and color to this dip!
- Cilantro - Fresh cilantro is also another obvious gorgeous garnish to this easy bean dip recipe!
- Tortilla chips - Your favorite chips are a must with this recipe, and in place of tortilla chips pita chips would also be tasty! Also pro tip, make sure you've got some sturdy chips for this one!
See recipe card below for quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
This is a super easy and quick recipe that should only take about 15 minutes to assemble.
Step 1: Combine the sour cream and taco seasoning. In a small bowl whisk sour cream with taco seasoning until it's combined and very smooth.
Step 2: Layer the beans, seasoned sour cream, and guacamole. In a 7x11 baking dish (see note) add refried beans, lightly pressing them down with a spatula until they're in an even, flat layer. Spread on seasoned sour cream, then evenly spread on guacamole. Do not press too hard when spreading the guacamole otherwise it will mix with the sour cream. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice evenly over the guacamole layer which will prevent browning.
Step 3: Layer the cheese. Top with an even layer of the shredded cheese for the next layer.
Step 4: Layer the fresh toppings and serve. If the pico de gallo you're using is watery, scoop it with a slotted spoon to drain some of the liquid, then add it to the dip in an even layer, followed by scallions, cilantro, and lime zest. Serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips!
Pro Tip!
Layer everything in an even flat layer using a spatula or the back of a spoon, but make sure not to press down too hard so that the layers stay separated. I find it extra fun to make this in a glass dish so that all the layers are visible! No matter what you use though it will still be delicious.
Tips for Making this Dip
- Don't skip the taco seasoning mixed into the sour cream. It adds so much flavor to the overall dish!
- Make sure your guacamole has enough salt, and also be sure to spritz the top of it with fresh lime juice. This adds a zesty flavor and will also prevent the guacamole layer from browning. Your guests will love to see a bright green layer the whole time!
- Don't skimp on the cheese, the top of this dip has a pretty big surface area so you want to make sure there is some shredded cheese in each bite!
FAQs
There isn't a layer of lettuce or black olives in this 5 layer dip! In my opinion, while I do love both, I don't think either add too much to this dip.
Yup, this dip can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator covered tightly with plastic wrap! The lime juice on the guacamole will help keep it from browning. Just make sure to wait to add the scallions and cilantro otherwise they might wilt.
You can, but I definitely think pico de gallo adds a super fresh pop of flavor! If you do want to use salsa I would put it under the cheese layer instead.
Storing and Freezing
Store leftovers in the refrigerator tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for 1-2 days.
I don't recommend freezing this dip.
Did you try this recipe? If so please leave a ⭐️ rating and/or comment below! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.
📖 Recipe
5 Layer Dip (Easy Appetizer Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 16-ounce can refried beans warmed if desired (see note)
- 1 ½ cups guacamole store-bought or homemade (see note)
- lime juice fresh, plus lime zest for topping
- 2 cups Mexican-style cheese blend, sharp cheddar, Colby jack, or Monterey jack cheese shredded
- ⅔ cup pico de gallo (see note)
- ⅛ cup scallions green parts only, finely chopped, for topping
- cilantro fresh, for topping
- tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk sour cream with taco seasoning until it's combined and very smooth.1 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- In a 7x11 baking dish (see note) add refried beans, lightly pressing them down with a spatula until they're in an even, flat layer. Spread on seasoned sour cream, then evenly spread on guacamole. Do not press too hard when spreading the guacamole otherwise it will mix with the sour cream. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice evenly over the guacamole layer which will prevent browning.1 16-ounce can refried beans, 1 ½ cups guacamole, lime juice
- Top with an even layer of the shredded cheese for the next layer.2 cups Mexican-style cheese blend, sharp cheddar, Colby jack, or Monterey jack cheese
- If the pico de gallo you're using is watery, scoop it with a slotted spoon to drain some of the liquid, then add it to the dip in an even layer, followed by scallions, cilantro, and lime zest. Serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips!⅔ cup pico de gallo, ⅛ cup scallions, cilantro, tortilla chips
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