If you love tacos then you are going to love this Ground beef layered taco dip recipe. All the flavors you love in a taco combine in an easy to make dip that is perfect for any party or get-together. With seasoned ground beef and layers of taco toppings, you can not go wrong if you make this easy taco dip.
Ground Beef Layered Taco Dip Recipe
When it comes to party appetizers, one of our favorites to make is this Layered Taco Dip recipe. This versatile and crowd-pleasing dish is not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a potluck, or simply looking to treat yourself, this recipe is a must-try.
I make this dip many times throughout the year because it is so easy to make. If we make last-minute plans to go somewhere this is my go to as I always have taco ingredients on hand.
One of the best things about this recipe is it is so easy to customize. You can add in your favorite taco toppings or what you have on hand and make it just the way you like your tacos.
This easy cold dip recipe is always a hit, and it is perfect for parties and game day! With just a little bit of prep time, a few minutes to chill completely and then it is time to pull out the chips and start dipping!
Taco Recipes
What are the layers in a Layered Taco Dip?
Base Layer. Ground Beef and Taco Seasoning: The foundation of any good taco dip begins with seasoned ground beef. Blended with the perfect mix of taco seasoning, this layer adds a savory and spicy kick that sets the tone for the entire dish. I prefer to use homemade taco seasoning.
Second Layer – Taco seasoning seasoned sour cream. Creamy and cool, sour cream brings a smooth texture to the dip. Its tanginess perfectly balances the heat from the seasoned beef, to give it a kick of flavor you will add taco seasoning to the sour cream before spreading it on top of the ground beef.
Third Layer – Zesty Tomatoes: Bursting with color and flavor, diced tomatoes come next. You can change up this layer and use salsa in place of diced tomatoes. I do at times add salsa on top of the diced tomatoes layer.
Fourth Layer – Fresh and Crunchy Lettuce: On top of the seasoned beef, a generous layer of crisp lettuce adds a refreshing crunch.
Fifth Layer – Shredded Cheese: What’s a taco without cheese? A layer of shredded cheese ties everything together.
Tips and Variations of this recipe
Add Salsa. After the sour cream layer if you want to add some extra flavor, add some salsa on top of the sour cream layer before adding the tomatoes.
Change up the meat. I use ground beef when making taco dip, but you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken for this recipe.
Add Guacamole. I love guacamole, especially homemade guacamole, you can add a layer of guacamole on top of the sour cream layer before adding the tomatoes.
Change up the cheese. Normally I use cheddar cheese but you can use many different types of cheese. Mexican cheese and colby jack cheese are my other go to cheese options when making this recipe.
Use Greek Yogurt. If you do not have sour cream on hand you can use plain greek yogurt instead.
Add beans. You can add a layer of beans on top of the meat layer if you are a fan of beans. Refried beans, kidney beans, black beans are all great choices.
Add extra toppings. Once you have added the shredded cheese you can add more toppings if you want to. Black olives, jalapeno pepper slices, avocado chunks, black beans, and kidney beans are all great additions.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this layered easy taco dip recipe with an assortment of dippables to create the perfect appetizer that all of your party guests will love.
Tortilla Chips. Classic tortilla chips are a no-brainer. Their sturdy structure and salty flavor make them the perfect vessel for scooping up layers of goodness. I like to use the cups or scoops so I can have a heaping scoopful of taco dip on my tortilla chip.
Vegetable Sticks. For a healthier option, consider serving the taco dip with an array of vegetable sticks such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper slices.
Pita Bread Triangles. Toasted pita bread triangles offer a substantial base that can withstand the layers of the dip. Their mild flavor allows the dip’s ingredients to shine.
Can I make this in advance?
Yes! However, I do suggest if you are going to make it in advance that you put the lettuce as the last layer right before serving to avoid the lettuce from browning. After making the dip, just cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until serving.
How to Store
Cover the layered taco dip with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days to maintain freshness.
Layered Taco Dip Recipe Ingredients
Ground beef. Be sure you are using raw fresh ground beef. If you store your ground beef in the freezer be sure it is fully thawed before cooking it.
Water. You will be using this with the ground beef to season it with the taco seasoning.
Taco Seasoning. I think you get the best flavor when using homemade Taco Seasoning but you can also use store bought.
Lettuce. If you are wanting a short cut grab a bag of shredded lettuce when shopping for ingredients, otherwise chopped up lettuce works just fine.
Tomatoes. When picking out tomatoes feel free to grab whichever ones are on sale. The type of tomatoes you use is not to specific with this recipe. You can use roma tomatoes, on-the-vine tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes to name a few.
Shredded cheese. It is best to buy a block of cheese and shred the cheese yourself. You can use packaged shredded cheese, but I prefer not to in my cooking. Normally I use cheddar cheese but you can use many different types of cheese instead including Mexican cheese, colby jack cheese, and pepper jack cheese.
Sour cream. You can use full fat sour cream or low fat sour cream. If you do not have sour cream, plain greek yogurt will work as well.
How to Make Layered Taco Dip Recipe
In a skillet over medium-high heat cook the ground beef until fully cooked. While cooking use a wooden spoon or a meat masher to break up the ground beef into small chunks.
Once the ground beef is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water and mix well to season the ground beef and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Add the sour cream to a small bowl and add in 4 tablespoons taco seasoning. Mix well and then set aside.
Wash the tomatoes and chop into small pieces.
Wash the lettuce and chop into small pieces.
Shred the cheese and set aside if you are going to use a block of cheese and it needs to be shredded.
Once you have everything prepped for your layer dip get a large baking dish.
Spread the cooked ground beef on the bottom of the baking dish to make the first layer.
Next, spread the sour cream mixture on top of the ground beef.
Sprinkle the tomatoes on top of the sour cream mixture.
Sprinkle the lettuce on top of the tomatoes.
Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the tomatoes.
Once your dip is finished, place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Dip Recipes
Easy Layered Taco Dip
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
- 1 large Head of lettuce Chopped into little piece
- 2 large Tomatos diced
- 8 oz bag shredded cheese
- 16 oz sour cream
- 2 pounds ground beef
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat cook the ground beef until fully cooked. While cooking use a wooden spoon or a meat masher to break up the ground beef into small chunks.
- Once the ground beef is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water and mix well to season the ground beef and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- While the ground beef is cooling make the homemade guacamole if you will use homemade and set aside once made.
- Add the sour cream to a small bowl and add in 4 tablespoons taco seasoning. Mix well and then set aside.
- Wash the tomatoes and chop into small pieces.
- Wash the lettuce and chop into small pieces.
- Shred the cheese and set aside if you are going to use a block of cheese and it needs to be shredded.
- Once you have everything prepped for your layer dip get a large baking dish.
- Spread the cooked ground beef on the bottom of the baking dish to make the first layer.
- Next, spread the sour cream mixture on top of the ground beef.
- Sprinkle the tomatoes on top of the sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the lettuce on top of the tomatoes.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the tomatoes.
- Once your dip is finished, place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Video
Following Weight Watchers? Layered Taco Dip is 8 points per serving.
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