Mexican 7-Layer Dip: Classic Dip Recipe, Modern Makeover
The traditional Mexican 7-layer dip gets a modern upgrade! By serving it on a cake stand to make a cake stand dip, the results are delicious, practical, and beautiful!
Iβm convinced the best way to serve a classic 7-layer Mexican dip is on a cake stand. Itβs easier to get to all the good stuff, prettier to look at, and makes the dip a little fancier. Better yet, I have made this recipe, covered it in Pressβn Seal (traditional plastic wrap sticks to the food more), and it was delicious served the next day. Itβs also good immediately served after assembling. Itβs hard to get any better than that, right?
This truly is a classic 7-layer dip with refried beans taken out of the can, cooked with taco seasoning and green chilis, and then topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, black olives, pickled jalapeno peppers, guacamole, and pico. I also topped this one with a drizzle of Herdez Guacamole Salsa. This cake stand dip was made using a large stand, approximately 12 inches wide.
Youβll find that when you layer your recipe to make a cake stand dip, it allows the bowl of chips to slide under the raised platform of the stand, which makes for a nice pairing. The different heights also add visual variety, which makes for a really nice presentation.
This recipe is super easy. It does require getting one pan messy, as you do need to cook the beans, but otherwise, itβs mainly a recipe made by opening different cans and containers and layering them. After the beans are cooked, this should take you less than 10 minutes to assemble!



Here are some tips:
- For your guacamole, I love this recipe. If you are buying a store-bought version, many times the grocery will make their own, and that is the one to get. Doctor it up with some fresh lime juice, and itβs usually pretty good. For mass-produced guacamole, I think the Herdez brand is the best one (I know, thatβs TWO mentions of Herdez in this article. Iβm a fan of their products, and I typically find them at Kroger. And, yes, Kroger does underwrite many of our recipes.)
- Always spread the cheese on top of the beans. When you start to spread the sour cream, it will roll up some of the cheese, but thatβs okay. This layer between the beans and the sour cream is best and means you wonβt be rolling up some of the beans when you spread out the sour cream.
- I like the thick shredded Tillamook cheddar cheese for just about anything, including this dip.
- I always prefer Daisy brand sour cream.
- For the pico, if you have a Kroger nearby, their fresh pico is my favorite. Iβve said it before, but this is a total βfindβ at Kroger. My favorite one is the βHatch Medium Fresh Picoβ found in their produce section. Itβs spicy! If they donβt have that one available, just the regular mild or medium is good. If youβd like a recipe for quick, fresh, yummy pico, here is a really good one.
I prefer the pickled jalapeΓ±os in this recipe versus the fresh ones. Plus, there is already fresh jalapeΓ±o in the pico.

Mexican 7-Layer Cake Stand Dip
IngredientsΒ Β
- 1 can traditional refried beans
- 1/2 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 can (4.5 oz can) mild chopped green chilis
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 can (the 2.25 oz can) sliced black olives
- 12 slices of pickled jalapeno
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
- 1/2 cup fresh pico de gallo
- optional garnish: Herdex Guacamole Salsa
InstructionsΒ
- note: the recipe photographed here is doubled, which works best for a large-sized cake stand. If you are using a smaller dish, or just making for a few people, stick with this recipe and don't double it.
- Heat refried beans with taco seasoning mix and green chilis over medium heat until warm.
- Layer beans onto the cake stand, using a spatula to spread them out evenly.
- Layer in order the following ingredients: cheddar cheese, sour cream, black olives, green onion, jalapeΓ±os, pico, and optional garnish.
- Serve with chips!
Nutrition
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To see more easy cake stand dips, CLICK HERE!
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Liza Graves
As CEO of StyleBlueprint, Liza also regularly writes for SB. Most of her writing is now found in the recipe archives as cooking is her stress relief!