Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Discover the secret to making a mouthwatering Mexican layered taco dip at home. Impress your guests with this easy recipe.
In 2014, when Mrs. CBB was pregnant, she craved Taco Bell nachos, and I had never been there before.
I ordered tacos, a layered beef burrito, and the cheesy nachos she craved with 1000 packets of hot sauce.
No lies; she asked for extra sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
I often wondered why I couldn’t make a simple Mexican taco dip and nachos for her.
You can also buy layered taco dip at the grocery store, but it’s cheaper to make it homemade.
Today, I’ll walk you through my process of making a simple Mexican layered taco dip.
I’ll also review what other popular taco dip layers you can add to my recipe.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
You can buy packets of taco seasoning or make homemade taco seasoning for this recipe.
We bought many packets years ago, so I made homemade taco seasoning instead.
The savings are budget-friendly, and fresh taco seasoning is always assured.
The seasoning mix can be hard or stuck together when you open the packets.
Also, when you make homemade taco seasoning, you can ensure it has no fillers.
The taco seasoning recipe that I’ve created is also gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Typically I make enough taco seasoning to last two meals, so it’s always fresh.
Making small batches of taco seasoning with only ten common pantry spices is easy.
I store my homemade taco seasoning in 250ml glass Mason jars.
Creamy Homemade Guacamole
You can buy pre-made guacamole at the grocery store, but it’s far better made at home.
To make a quality Mexican layered taco dip, buy the best ingredients and go fresh.
Whether for a party, BBQ, Christmas snacks, New Year’s Eve party, birthday, potluck, etc., your guests will appreciate a fresh layered taco dip.
Making homemade guacamole doesn’t take much as long as you have the ingredients.
If you can find fresh avocados, you’re already ten steps ahead of the recipe.
Avocados are sold in every grocery store in Canada, so they’re easy to find.
Save money and make guacamole at home; everyone will tell the difference.
Simple Salsa For Layered Taco Dip
Buy a 630ml jar of salsa if you’re not up for making homemade, but I don’t get complicated.
Chop a few tomatoes into small pieces, and add lemon juice, salt, pepper, green pepper, minced garlic, and onion. (recipe below)
Keep your homemade salsa chunky or smooth in a food processor, as I’ve done.
Layered Taco Dip Ideas
During party time, serve this simple Mexican Layered Taco Dip, and your guests will dive in.
There are many variations of layered taco dip that you can make based on your preference.
I’ve added simple layers for my layered taco dip to make it in a pinch when you need party food.
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream with taco seasoning
- Salsa with Franks Red Hot Sauce
- Shredded old cheddar cheese
- A dollop of sour cream
- Sliced Green Olives on top
If you don’t like green olives, add sliced black olives or leave them out, your choice.
Another fun layer is to mix a package of cream cheese, a container of sour cream, and taco seasoning in a food processor.
You do not have to follow the same layer sequence I chose, so use your imagination.
How To Add Minced Beef To Layered Taco Dip
Sautee minced garlic and one pound of ground beef with salt and pepper until browned.
Let the minced beef cool before adding it to the layered taco dip.
You can use any mince you like if you do not like ground beef.
Making Homemade Refried Beans
Some might like layered taco dip with refried beans as a great vegetarian option.
I’ve never made homemade refried beans; however, you can buy them in a can at the grocery store.
Bowl To Use For Layered Taco Dip
I layered the dip in a glass trifle bowl, square glass trifle bowl, or lidded party bowl.
Also, not many people know this, but a glass cake stand with a lid can be turned upside down into the bottom of the base to be used as a trifle bowl.
Showcasing the cool layers is always fun, so if you can find or borrow a clear bowl, even that will work.
Check the dollar or party store for a plastic trifle bowl if you bring it outside your home.
You may even have luck finding a glass trifle bowl at the Thrift Store for cheap.
How To Store Layered Taco Dip
Store the layered taco dip in the refrigerator for up to five days if there are any leftovers.
You can make it the day of your party or the day before, which is an excellent option if you want to prep ahead.
What To Serve With Layered Taco Dip At A Party
On the side, I serve nacho chips, a massive tray of mixed vegetables, and crunchy homemade pita chips.
Cut pita bread into triangles, then bake in a 300-degree oven for five minutes or until crunchy.
You can make the pita chips ahead of time and store them in the oven in a roasting pan.
Do not bag them unless they are completely cooled, or the pita chips will get soft.
How To Make Mexican Layered Taco Dip
Serves: Party of 10
Trifle Bowl or Large Clear Bowl
Prep Time: 45 minutes (if you make homemade guacamole, salsa, and taco seasoning)
Layered Taco Dip Ingredients
Homemade Salsa Layer or one 630ml jar of Salsa
- 4-6 diced medium-sized tomatoes
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup of minced white onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Franks Red Hot Sauce (optional)
- 1 green pepper chopped
Sour Cream Layer
- 2 x 500 ml containers of full-fat sour cream
- 2 x 24g packets of taco seasoning or my homemade taco seasoning recipe
- Optional (add one package of cream cheese to the above and mix in a food processor)
Guacamole Layer
- Homemade guacamole recipe or 500 ml of store-bought guacamole
Additional Toppings
- 3 cups of shredded old cheddar cheese (your choice of cheese)
- 1 cup of sliced green or black olives (optional idea)
- One can of refried beans (optional idea)
- Bake smoked bacon and add a layer of crispy bacon bits (optional idea)
- Brown one pound of ground beef and cool before adding it as a layer (optional idea)
- A dollop of sour cream for the top
How To Make Easy Homemade Salsa
- Dice 4 medium-sized tomatoes and put them into a food processor
- Add the remaining ingredients
- Process until smooth
- If you want chunky salsa, then eliminate the food processor step.
Putting The Layered Taco Dip Together
- On the bottom of your trifle bowl, layer all of the guacamole
- Follow by adding the sour cream taco seasoning layer
- Smooth on the homemade salsa layer
- Add 3 or more generous cups of shredded old cheddar cheese
- Top with a large dollop of sour cream and sliced green olives.
- Add a bowl of pickled jalapenos on the side with a fork.
- Serve with lots of nacho chips, pretzel crisps, pita chips, and a veggie tray.
Printable Recipe
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With S Cookies
Creamy homemade banana pudding made with very ripe bananas with Italian S cookies.
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 package Italian S Cookies
- Nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add milk, butter and 1 cup of thewhipping cream, vanilla along with the over-ripe bananas on medium heat andbring to a boil stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl add your salt, sugar, flour andcornstarch and mix.
- Remove the pan from the heat and mix in your sugarmixture until completely dissolved.
- In a small bowl crack eggs and separate the yolks andwhisk. Temper the eggs with a teaspoon or two of the hot milk and stir quickly.
- Then add the egg yolk mixture to the hot milk mixtureand stir to combine.
- Put back on the stove and bring to a boil stirringconstantly for 1 or 2 minutes until thickened.
- If you want a chunky banana pudding leave the bananaschunky but if you want a smooth banana pudding you can use a banana masher or hand blender which I did to make it smooth.
- In a medium to a large round baking dish or servingbowl add a layer of Italian S cookies on the bottom then top with some of thebanana pudding. Do this until all the cookies and pudding are gone.
- Add a plastic wrap to the top so it doesn't createskin and refrigerate for 40 minutes or until cold.
- In a bowl or stand mixer add the last cup of whippingcream and a bit of sugar if you want sweet whipping cream. I'd add about 2tablespoons or leave it as is. Blend for 5 minutes or until a whipping creamforms peaks.
- Put the whipping cream in a piping bag and make an xdesign across the centre of the bowl. Optional
- Top with sprinkles of fresh nutmeg and serve. Optional
- I also added Graham Cracker cookies. Optional
