4-Way Layered Dip (Printable)

Multi-layered dip with beans, cream cheese, salsa, and cheese—perfect for parties and easy to make in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base Layer

01 - 1 can (16 oz) 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 fresh 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 Make It:

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 or shallow bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, blend together sour cream, softened cream cheese, fresh lime juice, and salt until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the bean layer.
03 - In another bowl, combine drained salsa, diced tomato, finely chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro. Spoon this mixture evenly over the creamy layer, draining excess liquid if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the salsa layer, then distribute sliced black olives, diced green bell pepper, and sliced green onions evenly across the top.
05 - Refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and layers to set. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetable sticks.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Every scoop delivers a perfect bite of creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory all at once.
  • It looks impressive but comes together in the time it takes to preheat an oven you won't even need.
  • You can prep it ahead and let it chill while you handle everything else for the party.
  • It's endlessly customizable based on what's in your fridge or who's coming over.
02 -
  • Drain your salsa well or the creamy layer will get soupy and the whole dip will slide apart when scooped.
  • Soften the cream cheese completely before mixing or you'll end up with lumps that refuse to blend no matter how hard you stir.
  • Let the dip chill for the full 30 minutes, it's tempting to serve it right away, but the wait lets everything settle and taste cohesive.
03 -
  • Spread each layer gently from the center outward to avoid dragging up the layer beneath it.
  • Chill the dip uncovered for the first 15 minutes, then cover it, this keeps condensation from making the toppings soggy.
  • If you want to get fancy, use a piping bag to create neat stripes or swirls with the creamy layer.
Go Back