• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    The Best Taco Dip Recipe

    Appetizers Gluten Free Real Food Snacks February 8, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 29 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    This Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip is easy to make and loved by everyone! Made with refried beans, a spiced cream cheese mixture, and fresh tomatoes and onions, this warm, layered dip is truly the BEST Taco Dip Ever! Whether having a party, tailgating or simply looking for an irresistible alternative to the usual guacamole or salsa to serve on taco night, you will love this layered taco dip recipe.

    This warm and cheesy Taco Dip is made with layers of refried beans, a spiced cream cheese mixture, and fresh tomatoes and onions.

    Whether having a party, tailgating or simply looking for an irresistible alternative to the usual guacamole or salsa to serve on taco night, you will love this layered taco dip recipe.

    Chip scooping up cream cheese taco dip.

    This recipe for Taco Dip has been in my family for years and it is always the first appetizer to disappear at a party. 

    From the warm layer of creamy refried beans to the perfectly spiced cream cheese filling to the fresh topping of tomatoes and onion, this Taco Dip is the perfect contrast of flavors and textures.

    In fact, if I had to limit myself to only one dip recipe, this Taco Dip would be the easy choice! It is creamy, cheesy, hearty, fresh, and bright. Truly, everything you crave in a good party appetizer.

    Ingredients for Taco Dip

    Ingredients for taco dip labeled on counter.
    • Refried Beans: The base of the taco dip is made with refried beans. While I prefer using my homemade Instant Pot refried beans, store-bought canned refried beans work as well.
    • Cream Cheese: Use full-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese. Do not use fat-free cream cheese, as it will not be as creamy.
    • Sour Cream: For best results, use full-fat sour cream. If you are looking to reduce fat or calories, use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, rather than fat-free sour cream.
    • Taco Seasoning: I always have Homemade Taco Seasoning on hand. It is made with spices you likely have on hand and adds just the right flavor to this taco dip--minus the gluten, MSG, and preservatives found in store-bought blends.
    • Cheddar Cheese: For a cheesy, irresistible layer, use shredded cheddar, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend to top this taco dip.
    • Topping: To contrast with the warm, rich taco dip and add a fresh element to the dip, I use a mixture of fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro to top the taco dip. Alternatively, you could top the dip with your favorite jarred or fresh salsa or your favorite beef taco toppings.

    How to Make Taco Dip

    Tip: Be sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before preparing this dip so that it gets nice and creamy and incorporates well into the other ingredients.

    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together sour cream, cream cheese, and taco seasoning until well combined.
    Side by side pictures with cream cheese and sour cream mixture before and after mixing.
    • Spread the refried beans into an even layer in an 8x8 pan or a 2-quart heat-safe baking or serving dish.
    • Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the beans and then spread it out into an even layer to cover the beans.
    • Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the sour cream layer.
    3 pictures side by side showing steps for layering taco dip.
    • Place the assembled taco dip into a preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted, and the dip is warm and bubbly.
    • While the dip is baking, prepare the tomato topping by combining diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro together in a medium mixing bowl.
    Mixing bowl with grape tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
    • Remove the warm dip from the oven and top it with the tomato mixture.
    • Serve the dip warm with your favorite tortilla chips.
    Glass Dish with creamy taco dip and chips to the side.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Lightened-Up: For a taco dip that is lower in fat and calories but still satisfying, I suggest using fat-free refried beans, replacing the sour cream with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt, and using half the amount of cheese for topping.
    • Add Ground Beef: Add a layer of prepared taco meat on top of the cream cheese and sour cream layer and then top with cheese and bake as directed.
    • Add Layers: Feel free to spread a layer of guacamole, salsa, lettuce, olives, etc on top of the taco dip after baking. Any topping you like on your tacos will make a delicious addition to this dip.

    Make-Ahead Instructions

    This Layered Taco dip can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance and the fresh topping can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance.

    For the Taco Dip: Assemble the dip up to baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Once the oven is preheated, remove the lid or plastic wrap and bake for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. Top as desired.

    For the Topping: Combine the fresh tomato topping up to 24 hours in advance and cover and refrigerate. Top the warm dip as desired.

    Leftover Taco Dip

    If you happen to have leftovers of this taco dip, allow the dip to cool and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Warm the leftovers in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (it is okay to warm it up even with the tomato topping) and serve with chips. The leftovers are also great served in a bean burrito or as a layer in Instant Pot Mexican Lasagna.

    More Favorite Appetizer Recipes

    • Antipasto Skewers
    • Bacon-Wrapped Dates
    • Reuben Dip
    • Homemade Chip Dip
    • Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • Hot Corn Dip
    • Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip

    If you enjoyed this warm, layered taco dip, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Layered Taco Dip

    This warm and cheesy Taco Dip is made with layers of refried beans, a spiced cream cheese mixture, and fresh tomatoes and onions.
    4.94 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 118kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
    • 1 cup full-fat sour cream
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 2 cups refried beans or one 16-ounce can
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 pint grape tomatoes
    • ¼ cup onions diced
    • 2 tablespoons cilantro minced (optional)
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and cream cheese with taco seasoning until well combined.
    • Spread the refried beans into an even layer in a heat-safe 8x8 pan or a 2-quart casserole dish. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the beans, gently spreading it out into an even layer to fully cover the beans. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is warmed through. 
    • While the dip is baking, combine the tomatoes, onions, and cilantro together with a pinch of salt.
    • Remove the dip from the oven and top with the tomato topping. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

    Notes

    Taco Seasoning: Feel free to use homemade taco seasoning, a packet of taco seasoning, or simply use 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. 
    Cilantro: Feel free to omit if desired. 
    Topping: Take a shortcut and top the taco dip with prepared salsa. Or use your favorite taco toppings instead. 
    The serving size is about ¼ cup of the dip.
    Leftovers: Allow the dip to cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    Make-Ahead Instructions: This dip can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance and the fresh topping can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble the layered dip as directed, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, and bake at 350 F for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « Hot Corn Dip
    Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

      Recipe Rating




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

    1. Cody Gerlach

      January 01, 2022 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today for the first time along with your recipe for Instant Pot refried beans. Absolutely delicious!!!!! Pretty easy to make, and the flavors are wonderful. Added some lettuce and some sliced jalapeños at the end, but otherwise did as written. SOOO GOOD and will be making frequently 🙂

      Reply
    2. Ashley

      September 20, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for game day and everyone loved it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 20, 2019 at 1:18 pm

        I love hearing that Ashley!

        Reply
    3. Beth

      September 20, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Please don't judge me but I may eat this as a meal!! Delish!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 20, 2019 at 1:19 pm

        HA! One of my most favorite things to do is to roll leftovers up in tortillas and call it dinner 🙂

        Reply
    4. Tiffany M

      May 02, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      My family LOVES Mexican food, so I get excited when I find new (and SUPER EASY) recipes to please them 😉 We have a youth baseball tourney this Sunday (Cindo de Mayo) so I don't know exactly when we'll get home. This recipe sounds like it would be great to make ahead and keep in the fridge, then pop in the oven to warm while I make the main meal. Can't wait to try it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 02, 2019 at 3:35 pm

        Oh I hope you enjoy Tiffany! We will be eating this ourselves on Cinco De Mayo!

        Reply
    5. Liz

      January 01, 2019 at 8:28 pm

      5 stars
      Gosh, this was so delicious! And easy, peasy, too. I can't wait for the next occasion to make this taco dip!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 01, 2019 at 8:39 pm

        So glad you enjoyed Liz!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    This Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip is easy to make and loved by everyone! Made with refried beans, a spiced cream cheese mixture, and fresh tomatoes and onions, this warm, layered dip is truly the BEST Taco Dip Ever! Whether having a party, tailgating or simply looking for an irresistible alternative to the usual guacamole or salsa to serve on taco night, you will love this layered taco dip recipe.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt
      Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker
      How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    Reader Favorites

    • Bowl of creamy coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage.
      Easy Homemade Coleslaw
    • Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.
      Homemade Chicken Tenders
    • Baked Instant Pot Sweet Potato on white plate topped with pat of butter.
      Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • 3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.
      Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wing being dipped into ranch dressing.
      Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.
      Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Footer

    This Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip is easy to make and loved by everyone! Made with refried beans, a spiced cream cheese mixture, and fresh tomatoes and onions, this warm, layered dip is truly the BEST Taco Dip Ever! Whether having a party, tailgating or simply looking for an irresistible alternative to the usual guacamole or salsa to serve on taco night, you will love this layered taco dip recipe.

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM