Seven-layer dip is a Tex-Mex-style layered dip traditionally built from refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and other toppings.
The exact seven layers are not universal. Common versions add chopped tomatoes, olives, onions, taco-seasoned meat, or lettuce, so recipes can differ while retaining the dish’s name. It is usually served cold or at room temperature with tortilla chips.
The dip became popular in American party cooking during the late twentieth century. Its construction makes it visually distinctive: separate ingredients remain visible in horizontal layers rather than being blended together.
Despite its Tex-Mex flavor profile, seven-layer dip is best understood as an American dish inspired by Mexican and Tex-Mex ingredients. It is not a standardized traditional Mexican recipe.