The first time I made a 5 layer dip was at my friend’s house during his baby shower.
It had been years since I’d last eaten one but I remembered how good they were!
So I decided to try it out again with some fresh ingredients.
This time around, I added a few new ideas that I thought would be fun.
The result was even better than before!
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make A 5 Layer Dip?
You will need:
Refried Beans (or canned) — You can find these at most grocery stores as well as many online retailers.
Refried beans have a lot more flavor than just plain old canned beans.
If you’re using dried beans instead, soak them overnight and then cook according to package directions.
Guacamole — There are several different types of guacamole available on store shelves today.
Some people prefer their avocado mashed up and others like theirs chunky.
Either way, it adds tons of flavor to this classic Mexican dip!
Sour Cream — Sour cream has quite a bit of tangy flavor which pairs perfectly with all kinds of food.
To get the right consistency, add about 1/4 cup of milk per 2 tablespoons of sour cream.
Tomatoes — Choose either diced or sliced tomatoes depending on what kind of texture you want.
Sliced tomatoes tend to break down while diced ones stay whole so it depends on personal preference.
Onions — Onions go great with almost any food and adding them boosts the flavor.
They also provide moisture to help keep things moist.
Jalapeños — Jalapeño peppers contain capsaicin which gives them heat.
Most people don’t mind spicy foods but if you’re sensitive to spicy flavors, reduce the amount of jalapeño sauce by half.
Black Olives — Black olives are very salty and give off an intense taste.
Try not to overdo this though because too much salt can overpower everything else.
Cheddar Cheese — Cheddar cheese provides lots of cheesy flavor and helps melt other cheeses together nicely.
As always, choose whatever brand you like the most.
What Is The Best Way To Layer The Ingredients For A 5 Layer Dip?
There are two ways to layer ingredients for a 5 layer dip: One way is to put everything in a bowl and mix until combined.
Then scoop the mixture onto a plate or platter.
Or, you can spoon each ingredient on top of the previous one and spread them evenly throughout the entire dish.
Whichever method you decide to use, just remember to start from the bottom and work your way upward.
What type of beans are typically used for a 5 layer dip?
For this particular recipe, we chose to use pinto beans.
Pintos are known for being hearty and filling without having a strong bean taste.
That makes them perfect for creating dips where there isn’t a huge difference between the layers.
If you have already soaked your beans ahead of time, feel free to skip this step.
Just drain and rinse them and proceed to cooking.
Otherwise, here’s how you prepare them:
Soak your beans overnight in water.
Drain and rinse them thoroughly.
Add enough water to cover the beans by about 3 inches and bring it to a boil.
Once boiling, turn the burner down to low and let simmer for about 45 minutes.
After cooking, remove the lid and allow the beans to cool for 10 minutes.
Remove the skins from the cooked beans.
How Much Sour Cream Should You Use When Making A 5 Layer Dip?
This is another important factor to consider when layering ingredients.
Too much sour cream will cause the dip to become runny, especially after baking.
For this reason, it’s best to only add 1/2 cup of sour cream per cup of beans.
What Is The Best Type Of Cheese To Use For A 5 Layer Dip?
As mentioned above, cheddar cheese works really well in this recipe.
You could also use American or Swiss cheese.
However, both those cheeses have a tendency to separate once baked.
So, unless you plan on eating the dip immediately upon removing it from the oven, avoid those varieties.
Can You Substitute The Ingredients In A 5 Layer Dip?
Yes, absolutely! Feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand.
Here’s a list of substitutions you might consider:
Instead of Guacamole, you could use Avocado Puree.
Instead of Tomatoes, you could use chopped green bell pepper.
Instead of Onion, sliced red onion may be substituted.
Instead of Jalapeños, crushed Red Hot Peppers may be used.
Can You Freeze A 5 Layer Dip?
Absolutely! Freezing doesn’t affect the quality of the dip at all.
In fact, freezing actually improves its texture.
To freeze a 5 layer dip, simply place the prepared dip inside a freezer safe container and label it accordingly.
When ready to eat, thaw completely in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
How Long Should You Bake A 5 Layer Dip?
Baking times vary based on the size and shape of your dish.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
To check whether the dip is done, stick a toothpick or knife into the center.
If the toothpick comes out clean, the dip is finished.
However, if you notice that the dip begins to bubble, pull it out of the oven immediately.
Letting it continue to bake past this point can lead to burnt edges.
What Type Of Dish Is Best For Serving A 5 Layer Dip?
A glass dish such as a pie pan or shallow bowl works great for this purpose.
If you don’t have one, a wide rimmed baking sheet will suffice.
A deeper dish allows you to submerge more of the ingredients underneath the surface.
And, a wider dish allows more room for spreading out the ingredients.
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 15 oz beans refried
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 1 cup guacamole
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup salsa
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend shredded
- 1/3 cup green onions chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the refried beans, softened cream cheese, and taco seasoning.
- Cream all of the ingredients together with a rubber spatula until fully combined.
- Fill a 9-inch pie plate halfway with the mixture.
- Cover the bean mixture with the guacamole.
- Spread the guacamole with the sour cream.
- Top the sour cream with the salsa.
- On top of the salsa, sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
- On top of the cheese, scatter the chopped green onions.
- Serve and have fun!
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.