Show-Stopping Mini Mexican Seven-Layer Dip Cups
A classic layered Mexican-style party appetizer, served up in miniature!
The first time I had this dip, I was at my mother-in-law’s friend’s house for a Shavuos meal and she served it with the appetizer course. I am not ashamed to say how much of it I ate! It was so good; the creamy mix of flavors was such a uniquely wonderful combination. I loved it so much she sent me home with the leftovers. I ate it for breakfast the next morning!
It’s funny because, sure, I love dips with warm challah and I’ve become quite the dips queen. In fact, there’s an entire chapter in my Pesach cookbook dedicated to dips! But if I’m being honest, I think I like making and serving dips more than eating them myself. But comes this seven-layer dip and you will find me knee-deep in it with a pile of crackers at my side. Something about the tanginess of the salsa that goes so perfectly with the smoothness of the sour cream and then you get a little taste of the pungent guacamole topped off with some cheese…utter perfection!
This dip has become a staple at my Chanukah parties; it’s a real show-stopper. You can make it in a big bowl or dish and everyone can scoop some up or you can serve it in pretty little individual glasses, like I did here. Every year I change it up, depending upon my mood and the crowd I’m serving.
Traditionally, many seven-layer dips have olives on top, but since I have family members who don’t like olives, I skip them. Actually, if you count, you will see this is not actually a “seven”-layer dip; it’s more like a five- or six-layer dip. Really, there are no rules. You can add whatever your family and guests love — it can even be a nine-layer dip!
Blended refried beans are generally the base layer in seven-layer dip. Although refried beans sound like they have to be fried, that’s actually not the case. You can buy this Mexican staple in a can (there are several brands with a hechsher) and just blend those, or you can make the recipe here, which isn’t fried at all.
I provided recipes for both the refried beans and guacamole layers , but honestly, you can just buy the components ready made and assemble it — it’ll be one less thing to worry about for your party.
Although it’s not included in the traditional seven-layer dip, I sometimes add my homemade hummus as an extra layer, and it’s a delicious addition. You can also include any other dips you like — babaganoush, matbucha, some schug if you want an extra kick…
If you want to keep it pareve, you can skip the sour cream or use vegan sour cream or vegan greek yogurt and you can sprinkle on some crispy French-fried onions or croutons on top instead of the cheese.
Although pictured here with just tortillas, I like to serve these mini Mexican seven-layer dip cups with an assortment of pita or tortilla chips, but you can put out any accompaniment of your choice. You can even keep it low carb and serve it with cut-up veggie sticks!
Individual components can be prepared the night before and the dip can be assembled a few hours in advance, just wrap it well and store in the fridge. I would add any fried onions, croutons or chips right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
Show-Stopping Mini Seven-Layer Dip Cups
Ingredients
Refried Beans
- 1 15-oz. can red beans
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Guacamole
- 3 avocados, scooped out and mashed
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Sour cream
- Salsa, store bought
- Shredded cheese
- Tortilla chips, pita chips, croutons or crackers of your choice
Instructions
For the beans:
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until creamy.
For the guacamole:
- Mix all ingredients together until combined.
To assemble mini cups:
- Take a small, clear glass and layer the dip, starting with refried beans, then guacamole, sour cream, salsa and cheese. (If adding any other dips or toppings, layer as desired.)
- Serve with chips or crackers of your choice.
Notes
Recipe by Faigy Murray | https://mykitchenmystudio.com/show-stopping-mini-mexican-seven-layer-dip-cups/
