This is literally the best four layer taco dip you will ever have. No frills, four layers of utter deliciousness, with the option to bake and serve. Plus, it's fully meal-prep friendly. Grab some tortilla chips and dig in!
This recipe came about at least a decade ago when I made it for the first time for Super Bowl. Ever since, it's become a staple Game Day snack, but can easily be made year round.
This taco dip easily pairs with my blood orange margarita (recipe), as an appetizer along with my potato skins (recipe), or served as is!
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What do I need for this recipe?
You need four ingredients for this recipe, from start to finish. As I mentioned, this is a no frills, easy and delicious dip that you're going to have on repeat every week! Specifically, here's what you need:
- Ground meat: I like to use traditional ground beef in my taco dip, but you can definitely use ground turkey if that's your prerogative.
- Sour cream: a second layer of the dip.
- Salsa: any salsa will do here.
- Cheese: shredded Mexican blend works best.
See the recipe card below for specific information regarding quantities.
How do I make this dip?
A few quick steps is required for making this dish such as browning the meat, and the assembly of this dish itself. Here's what you'll do:
In a frying pan, brown the ground beef until its almost fully cooked.Add the taco seasoning and continue to brown until done. Turn off the flame and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prep a large baking dish with a layer of sour cream at the base of the dish. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to smooth the sour cream around to form an even layer. To the sour cream, pour the salsa on top and jiggle the baking dish to spread around evenly. Pour the ground beef on top of the salsa, then add a generous layer of cheese.
Optional: bake the dish at 350º for 15 minutes.
HINT: This recipe is meant to be served cold, but baking or broiling the dish to melt the cheese gives the whole dish a new flavor, and still tastes amazing.
Recipe Swaps and Substitutions
Not into ground beef? Want to add in something different? Here's a few swap and substitution suggestions for this dip:
- Avocado - mash two whole avocados and spread across the sour cream layer to make it a five layer dip.
- Meat - use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
- Vegetarian - you can swap the meat entirely for plant-based ground meat to make this vegetarian.
Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions
Here are some ways to add more pazazz to this already incredibly dip!
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes to the avocado layer, or use a hot salsa instead of mild.
- Deluxe - add guacamole on top of the dip, add a black bean layer too!
- Serving - you can serve this dish right in a large casserole dish, or you can make miniature versions. This is best served as a cold dip, and you can serve this recipe for:
- dinner
- lunch
- appetizer
- game day snack
Kitchen Equipment and Tools
This recipe calls for a few standard pieces of kitchen tools such as:
- Baking dish
- Frying pan - to brown the meat
- Spatula - to spread the layers around evenly
- Spoons - to scoop out the salsa, sour cream, etc.
How do I store this recipe? Can I freeze it?
To store this recipe, you can cover the casserole dish that it is made in with cling wrap (or a cover) and store in the fridge for up to five days.
If you want to freeze it: simply wrap with cling wrap, then aluminum foil. It will last for up to 2-3 months. I would suggest defrosting in the fridge ahead of time prior to serving and/or baking.
PRO TIP:
Remember to let the taco meat cool as much as possible so that it does not make the sour cream soupy or runny.
Hungry for More?
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Four Layer Taco Dip
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish
- 1 frying pan
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 16 oz sour cream
- ½ jar mild salsa
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- In a frying pan, brown the ground beef until its almost fully cooked. Add the taco seasoning and continue to brown until done. Turn off the flame and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prep a large baking dish with a layer of sour cream at the base of the dish.
- Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to smooth the sour cream around to form an even layer.
- To the sour cream, pour the salsa on top and jiggle the baking dish to spread around evenly.
- Pour the ground beef on top of the salsa, then add a generous layer of cheese.
- Optional: bake the dish at 350º for 15 minutes.
Katrina F
The easiest recipe for a taco dip I've ever made. We love this for dinner especially with very hungry kids around. I could definitely make this for a party too. It's a very good recipe.