Ground Beef Taco Dip Recipe

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This Ground Beef Taco Dip is the ultimate appetizer for game day, holiday gatherings or just for snacking on movie nights. Made with savory seasoned ground beef and just a few other simple ingredients, this delicious layer dip is easy to make and guaranteed to be a big hit!

Layered Taco Dip Recipe

When I’m planning the perfect party menu, I’m all about the quick and easy recipes. But of course, they have to be really delicious too! That’s why this Sausage Cheese Dip, along with this Rotel Dip are two of my favorites.

But now I have another go-to dip recipe and it’s such a good one! This ground beef taco dip is a wow-factor appetizer that nails it every time! The first time I made this recipe, it disappeared so fast that I knew I had a hit on my hands!

This recipe it has all the delicious flavors and textures that you love about homemade tacos in the form of a dip. With layers of seasoned ground beef, spicy sour cream and fresh veggie toppings, this super easy dip is always a crowd-pleaser!

Why We Love This Recipe

You can serve this easy taco dip with corn chips or tortilla chips as an easy appetizer or even over Mexican rice as an entrée.
It’s a great addition to Taco Tuesday, game days, or Cinco de Mayo party.
The seasoned taco ground beef mixture makes this a bold and flavorful dip that’s always a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

Ground beef
Sour cream
Cream cheese, softened
Taco seasoning mix packets
Water
Shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Medium tomatoes, diced
Can black olives, drained

How to Make Ground Beef Taco Dip

Step 1: Crumble beef and brown it in a skillet over medium heat, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Drain off the excess fat, then stir in one packet of taco mix and ¾ cup water and Simmer until the water boils off, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

TIP: You can skip these first two steps and use reheated leftover taco meat if you have it.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, cream cheese and the second seasoning packet. Mix together until all of the cream cheese mixture is smooth and creamy.

TIP: Using a hand mixer helps make the cream cheese super smooth.

Sour cream, cream cheese and taco seasoning in bowl

Step 4: Pour sour cream mixture into an 8×8 baking dish. Spread evenly across the bottom.

Step 5: Add ground meat to the top of the sour cream layer make the next layer.

Step 6: Add a layer of shredded cheese. We used cheddar but a Mexican blend tastes delicious with this recipe too.

Step 7: Finally, top the cheese layer with lettuce, diced tomatoes and black olives.

Mexican Dip Variations and Add-ins

Cheese: You can change up the cheese with a Mexican cheese blend, Monterey jack or pepper jack.
Sour Cream: Greek yogurt is a great option to add a little bit more of a tangy flavor to the dip.
Meat: This recipe calls for ground beef but feel free to use ground chicken, breakfast sausage or even ground turkey.
Veggies: Have fun and use your imagination by adding veggies you typically see with fajitas or a taco salad. Green chiles, sauteed bell peppers and onions are all great options. Add veggies to the top the ground beef layer, before adding lettuce and other toppings. I even love adding about 1/2 can of corn as a topping.
Seasonings: We use the store-bought envelopes taco seasoning you can get from local grocery store, but feel free to make your own taco seasoning. Another zesty option is to add a packet of dry ranch seasoning to the ground beef. Or for spicy ground beef, you can add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Additional Toppings: Change up and add any of your favorite toppings. Chopped green onions, jalapenos, green olives. chopped cilantro and diced avocados are popular choices. For a real fun twist, you can drizzle the top layer with a little of your favorite salsa. Just don’t add too much because it can make the dip runny.

Ground beef taco dip with some scooped out

How long will taco dip stay fresh?

This this taco layer dip will stay fresh for several days when covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

For best results, you may want to remove the lettuce layer before storing it. This is because, once lettuce has been chopped, it begins to wilt and become soggy. When you’re ready to serve the leftovers, just add a fresh new layer of lettuce.

Should this dip be served hot or cold?

Taco dip is actually best served cool or at room temperature. Keep in mind that the first layer is made with dairy products, so after sitting out for about an hour it will need to be refrigerated.

Can I Make This Taco Dip in Advance?

This dip can be made a few hours in advance, though it’s best when served freshly made. Because there is a layer that contains dairy, you have to store it in the fridge. As the lean ground beef mixture chills, it’ll harden, even with very little excess grease.

If you’ve made in ahead of time and it has been chilled, set it out on the counter about an hour before you’re ready to serve it. This will allow the ground beef to warm to room temperature, making it easier to dip up.

Ground beef taco dip on plate with chips

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