Refried beans, vegan sour cream, cashew queso, guacamole, pico de gallo, sliced olives, and green onions all layer up to create a plant-powered multi-layer vegan dip! It's perfect for game day or any time you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Grab your favorite tortilla chips to serve immediately and dig in!

Glass bowl filled with layers of refried beans, vegan sour cream, vegan nacho cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, olives, green onions, cilantro and jalapeno on a white platter next to tortilla chips and half of a lime with a white background.

I love Mexican food and we make each of the elements of this vegan layered taco dip independently, but combining them all together is an absolute game-changer. I knew before the first bite that this would be a hit with my family. My vegan nacho cheese sauce is one of Bobby's all-time favorite recipes, and the kids are huge fans of both my Chipotle guacamole and salsa fresca. Everyone was lining up in the kitchen in anticipation before I even finished making the first round of homemade tortilla chips! This is one of the most requested dips anytime we need some good football food or when we think about vegan appetizer ideas.

Traditional 7-layer dips call for sour cream and cheese, both of which exclude vegans or anyone who is dairy-free from enjoying it. Using vegan versions of each are not only more allergy friendly, but provide additional nutrients which is important to me as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist. This allows for everyone to appreciate all the flavors and textures of this classic party dish.

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overhead angle of bowls of guacamole, refried beans, green onions, pico de gallo, olives, cilantro, vegan sour cream and vegan cheese sauce with a white marble background.

Ingredients in Vegan 7-Layer Dip

This recipe is kind of a mash-up of a few of my favorite dips and sauces. They're all made from scratch, but it actually comes together pretty quickly and is well worth it. Most of these recipes have just a handful of fresh ingredients. Some are also easy to prepare ahead of time so when you're ready to eat all you have to do is layer it up and start dipping!

Refried Beans: This easy creamy refried beans recipe is an easy way to make vegan refried beans that are super creamy and perfect for using in tostadas, taquitos, or as a dip for chips!
Vegan Sour Cream: Both my vegan sour cream and queso recipes have a cashew base, so start soaking your cashews ASAP! You can also sub a store-bought vegan sour cream.
Vegan Cheese: Vegan queso is surprisingly easy to make, and this recipe blows everyone away!
Homemade Guacamole: My Chiptole-copycat guacamole recipe is really easy to customize so it's exactly as spicy as you like it. Alternatively, you could also use four avocados for a simpler layer of diced (or mashed) avocado.
Pico de Gallo: Everyone loves pico! This recipe has just four fresh ingredients, but every time I make it my whole family gathers around the bowl and raves about how good it is.
Sliced Black Olives: Canned olives work great here! Give them a quick drain and rinse and they're ready to go.
Green Onions: I like to dice the green onions small for this recipe. I love how they mix with the olives and the optional garnishes for a flavorful top layer.
Cilantro and Jalapeno: These are both garnishes, so you can adjust for how zesty and spicy you want your dip! I love the pop of green and varied texture they add to the top of this meatless taco dip. You could also use chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce for added crunch.

Overhead angle of refried beans in a glass bowl with a white background next to bowls of sliced olives, green onions, pico de gallo, vegan sour cream and cilantro.

Overhead angle of vegan sour cream in a glass bowl next to bowls of sliced olives, green onions, pico de gallo, sour cream and cilantro with a white background.

Easy Creamy Refried Beans

The base for this Vegan 7-Layer Dip is my recipe for easy creamy refried beans. Canned refried beans would work just fine here as well. Start by spreading it onto the bottom of your serving bowl. If you make my refried bean recipe (highly recommend!), you only need an onion and two cans of pinto beans. Everything else is probably already in your spice cabinet! I love making my own refried beans because I can control the texture and flavor of the finished product.

If all you have in your pantry are black beans, another wonderful appetizer to consider for a game day party is vegan black bean dip!

Vegan Nacho Cheese

Vegan nacho cheese sauce is kind of a vegan unicorn...no one really believes that it's as good as the real thing until they try it and have their minds BLOWN! My version has a cashew base (the secret is to soak your cashews! Learn more about How (and why) to soak cashews right here), a hidden veggie, and the perfect blend of nutritional yeast and seasonings to achieve a tangy, perfectly cheesy flavor and color. Bobby absolutely loves the recipe. Seriously...if we weren't already married, I think he would have proposed on the spot the first time he tried this queso. If you want to skip the homemade, I recommend Kite Hill brand Vegan Queso - Bobby and my daughter Riley also love that one!

Vegan Queso Cheese Sauce

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Vegan Sour Cream

This dip also has my vegan sour cream that's made with a cashew base. It is similar to my cashew cream recipe, but it has a bit of lemon and apple cider vinegar added in for the tang that you would expect with sour cream! Having cashew-based ingredients in this dip adds incredible nutrients and plant-based protein. Cashews are considered an excellent source of copper and a good source of magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, phosphorous and zinc.

Click Here for All of My Favorite Vegan Sauces

Overhead angle of pico de gallo, sliced olives, green onions and cilantro in a glass bowl next to tortilla chips, lime and cilantro with a white background.

Homemade Chipotle Guacamole

Up near the top of this 7-Layer Dip is my homemade Chipotle guacamole! This recipe is such a classic, and I love that it adds such awesome nutrients thanks to the avocados. Avocados contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and nutrients that actually reduce your cholesterol levels, promote healthy vision and potentially protect against cancer. They contain folate, vitamins E, C, and B6. Plus, they are high in dietary fiber – great for overall heart health and digestion. Avocados also contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas!

Vegan Walnut Taco Meat

If you want to add even more substance, protein, texture, and amazing flavor, try making a batch of my vegan walnut taco meat! This simple recipe is made with soaked walnuts and a handful of seasonings that create a really satisfying meat substitute. I love to use it in tacos or as a nacho topping, and it works great in between the sour cream and queso layers!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make 7 layer dip the night before?

Many components of the dip can be prepared the night before, such as the refried beans, vegan sour cream, vegan nacho cheese and pico de gallo. The dip could be prepared a day in advance. However, it is best to make the guacamole and layer the dip just before serving.

How long is 7 layer dip good for in the fridge?

The dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The guacamole will stay somewhat fresh since it is sandwiched between other layers and the air won't hit it as much. It won't look as pretty on day two and beyond but it will still taste good. It is of course best when fresh.

Can you freeze 7 layer dip?

The dip is not freezer-friendly. While it technically could be frozen and then thawed at room temperature, it is best to eat fresh.

Is 7 layer dip hot or cold?

This vegan 7-layer dip is a cold dish because of the salsa and guacamole. However, warming the refried beans before layering makes for a delicious combination!

This dip is one of my favorite appetizers, and I hope you love it too! Please tag me on Instagram if you make it so I can applaud every awesome layer you add, and don't forget to drop a review below to help other home cooks! If you want more delicious and easy plant-based recipes in your cooking rotation, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive freebies and useful content every week.