There's something about a party dip that includes all the best party dips. Why choose only one or two when you can layer seven! Well, this vegan 7 layer dip takes five of my favourite dips and tops them with chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeños to create the ultimate flavour bomb of a party dip!
Thick
Creamy
Full Of Flavour
Colourful
And So Much Fun To Serve And To Eat!
Layers 1 & 2 of This Vegan 7 Layer Party Dip
The base layer:
Creating a solid base for this dip is a creamy layer of Simple Refried Beans. The pureed, twice cooked, pinto beans are spiced with chilli powder, cumin, a bit of garlic, and are so delicious!
Layer #2:
Next is a bright layer of easy guacamole! If serving this beloved mashed avocado dip on its own, I tend to serve my Timely Guacamole with added onion, tomato, and more spices.
BUT... for this loaded dip I simply mash two large avocados and add a bit of lime juice, some garlic powder, and some salt. Best mashed just before adding to the dip, this layer is super quick and simple!
Tofu Sour Cream And Onion Dip
On top of the guacamole is a thick and creamy layer of a tofu based sour cream and onion dip!
Bryan loves this layer as a dip on its own. I really like it as well and would gladly eat it on it's own but it does have a pretty distinct tofu flavour. Mixed in with the rest of these layers though... I don't detect that tofu flavour at all!
It's super creamy and the addition of onion powder adds a really savoury depth of flavour to this dip!
Layers 4 And 5 - Queso And Salsa
Layer #4:
Our favourite Extra Speedy Queso! This simple roux based "cheesy" sauce has been our go-to for any cheesy dip or drizzle. Ready in 15 minutes with simple ingredients we always have on hand. It has a nice bit of kick and is so full of flavour!
Layer #5:
Top the dip layers off with your favourite salsa!
After much testing, I prefer to use store-bought salsa for this top layer of dip because store-bought salsa tends to release a little less liquid than home-made versions. BUT I've found that regardless of the salsa I use, there will be some release of liquid that will pool a bit around the edges.
If you prefer to make one from scratch and control the ingredients and flavour... absolutely go for it! I've included a quick Grape Tomato Salsa option in the notes of the recipe card!
The Top Two Layers
And to finish off the top of this seven layer dip, I love to add another decorative drizzle of queso before adding the top two layers:
Chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeños!
Many 7 layer dips have olives on top, shredded lettuce, and shredded cheese. Feel free to top your dip however you like best!
Tips For Compiling This Vegan 7 Layer Dip
Although each component of this dip is quick and easy, there are seven layers!
So... some tips for how to spread out the preparation:
- Make the simple refried beans in advance and allow them to cool in the fridge.
- The tofu sour cream and onion dip is best prepared in advance. It will firm up in the fridge which will make it easier to spread across the other layers.
- Our queso can also be made in advance and left to cool in the fridge. I like to warm it slightly and add a touch more milk to get the queso back to a nice spreadable consistency before adding it to the dip. The queso will firm up in the fridge and thicken.
- Since the guacamole is so quick to mash, it's best prepared right before adding it to the dip!
- And the salsa is best left off the dip until just before you serve it. You can add it in advance but you will likely get some liquid that pools around the edges (especially if you're using a home-made dip).
Does This Party Dip Keep
It does! I've been pleasantly surprised to know that the leftovers of this dip do last well for 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Since Bryan and I have been testing numerous variations of this dip it's been really wonderful that the leftovers have kept well! If you have a shallow casserole dish with a lid you can compile the dip in there and storing leftovers, covered in the fridge, becomes a breeze!
We do find that liquid from the salsa will pool in the negative space created by the dip that has already been eaten from the dish. But the dip will continue to taste great and the excess liquid can be scooped or poured out.
Recipe Cost For Vegan 7 Layer Dip
For a pretty loaded dip that can easily serve 8 or more, our approximate cost is:
CAD $13 - $16.
If we make a double batch of our Extra Speedy Queso just to make sure we have enough cheesy sauce, our cost is roughly: CAD $15.63. Otherwise, with a single batch of the queso this dip costs us roughly $13.63.
Scroll to the bottom of the recipe card for a detailed breakdown of our approximate cost for each layer of this dip.
Let me know in the comments below if you try this ultimate vegan 7 layer dip OR if you enjoy any of these delicious layers as a dip on their own!
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Vegan 7 Layer Party Dip - You'll Want A Big Scoop!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 qt dish 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A vegan 7 layer dip perfect for your next party! Refried beans, guacamole, tofu sour cream & onion, "queso", salsa, cilantro, & jalapeños!
Ingredients
- Simple Refried Beans
- Easy Guacamole (recipe below)
- Tofu Sour Cream And Onion Dip (recipe below)
- Extra Speedy Queso (reserve some for the top)
- 2 - 2 ½ cups salsa of choice (see notes)*
- Cilantro to garnish*
- Jalapenos to garnish*
Easy Guacamole
- 2 large avocados*
- 2 tsp lime juice
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Tofu Sour Cream And Onion Dip
- 220g extra firm tofu, pressed
- ¼ cup water (or less)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp onion powder*
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp nutritional yeast
- ¼ tsp cane sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
*Ingredients you need that are not part of our pantry and freezer tips.
Instructions
- A shallow dish is best for this 7 layer dip so that you are able to scoop through all the layers with a tortilla chip.
- I have found that the best order for this dip is: refried beans on the bottom, then guacamole, then the sour cream and onion tofu dip, then a thin layer of queso, salsa, and another decorative drizzle of queso if desired. Finally, chopped cilantro and sliced jalapenos add a nice garnish on top. *Many 7 layer dips are topped with olives and shredded cheese and lettuce so feel free to top this dip how you please!
- The refried beans and tofu sour cream and onion dip are best prepared in advance and allowed to cool in the fridge. Make sure the refried bean dip isn’t too dry so that it’s spreadable and easy to scoop. The tofu dip will be best after cooling in the fridge because it will firm up slightly which will make layering the dip easier. To make the tofu dip, simply add all the ingredients to a blender and only add as much water as needed to blend the dip to a smooth consistency.
- The queso can also be prepared in advance and allowed to cool in the fridge. I find that heating it slightly makes it easier to spread over the other layers when you need to compile the dip. If the queso has thickened too much in the fridge you can stir in a bit of milk until it is a spreadable consistency. *Depending on the size of your dish you may want to double the recipe to ensure you have enough (it’s tasty as a dip on it’s own or drizzled as a cheese sauce over something else so any leftovers won’t go to waste!)
- The easy guacamole is best mashed just before compiling the dip. Slice the avocados, remove the pits, and add the flesh to a bowl. Splash with lime juice, garlic powder, and salt and mash until combined. Surprisingly, this guacamole layer holds up quite well in the dip and doesn’t brown even when leftovers are kept in the fridge for a couple of days.
- My only words of caution for this dip surround the salsa layer! After many tests, I prefer to use store-bought salsa for this dip. I have found that home-made salsa releases quite a bit of liquid into the dip. Store-bought salsa will still release liquid but not quite as much. If you prefer a home-made salsa, see the notes below for a quick option but either way, I prefer to wait until just before serving to add the salsa layer. If the salsa is added and then the dip sits in the fridge it will release liquid that will pool slightly around the edges. Adding the salsa right before, especially if a number of people will dig in right away, will minimize the amount of liquid released.
- Leftovers keep quite well in the fridge for up to 3 days but hopefully it’s gobbled up quite quickly!
Notes
Approximate Cost: $13.63 and $15.63 if I make a double batch of queso. The approximate cost breakdown is as follows: refried beans: $0.73, guacamole $3.67, tofu sour cream and onion dip $1.88, queso $2.00, homemade salsa $2.60, store-bought salsa $2.42, ¼ cup chopped cilantro $0.12, ⅛ cup sliced pickled jalapenos $0.21.
For an Easy Grape Tomato Salsa: Add 2 cups grape tomatoes to a food processor with ¼ cup diced red onion, ¼ cup packed cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon chilli powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sliced jalapenos. Lightly pulse until the tomatoes are broken down and the salsa is nicely combined. Depending on the size of your serving dish and whether you will drain excess water from the salsa, you may want to double this recipe to ensure there is enough salsa to cover the top of the dip.
Feel free to make this recipe as convenient for you as possible. Use more store-bought elements if needed, change the number of layers, use shredded lettuce in place of the cilantro… have fun and use this layered dip as inspiration for your own creation!
- Category: Dips & Sauces
- Method: Various
- Cuisine: American
Brenda
Just made this dip for a Christmas Eve party and it was a HUUUUGGEEEE hit! It all went super fast (even my picky 6 year-old at it up) and everyone wanted more! Thanks for the recipe and we will be making it again for New Years!!!!
Kathryn Alexandre
Oh great! I'm so glad you all loved it and you will be making it again so soon! Thank you for letting me know and for the lovely star rating.