4-Way Layered Dip (Printable)

Multi-layered dip with beans, cream cheese, salsa, and cheese—ideal for entertaining and gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Base Layer

01 - 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
02 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

→ Creamy Layer

04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
06 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Salsa Layer

08 - 1 cup chunky salsa, drained
09 - 1 medium tomato, diced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Topping Layer

12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
14 - 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
15 - 1/2 cup sliced green onions

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine refried beans with ground cumin and chili powder. Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch serving dish.
02 - In another bowl, blend sour cream, softened cream cheese, lime juice, and salt until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the bean layer.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine salsa, diced tomato, red onion, and cilantro. Drain excess liquid if necessary, then spoon evenly over the creamy layer.
04 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the salsa layer, then distribute black olives, green bell pepper, and green onions evenly across the surface.
05 - Refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetable sticks.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent an hour in the kitchen, but you'll be done in twenty minutes flat.
  • Every bite gives you a different combination of creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory all at once.
  • You can make it ahead and pull it straight from the fridge when guests arrive.
  • It's endlessly customizable based on what you have in your pantry or who you're feeding.
02 -
  • Always drain your salsa well or the creamy layer will turn into a soupy mess within an hour.
  • Soften the cream cheese completely before mixing or you'll end up with lumps that never smooth out.
  • If you skip the chilling time, the layers will slide around and lose their definition when people start dipping.
03 -
  • Make the dip in a clear glass dish so guests can see all the beautiful layers before they dive in.
  • If you're transporting it, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent the top layer from drying out or shifting.
  • For a crowd, assemble two smaller dishes instead of one large one so people can access it from both sides of the table.
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