Ground Beef Taco Dip

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 comes together quickly and is guaranteed to be a big hit! 

Layered Taco Dip Recipe

When you’re planning the perfect party menu, you want recipes that are quick and easy but more importantly really delicious, like Easy Rotel Dip or this Black Bean and Corn Salsa. But I always try to have at least one wow-factor appetizer to add to the table and this layered taco salad with ground beef nails it!

This recipe it has all the wonderful flavors and textures that you love about homemade tacos in the form of a dip. Crunchy chips dipped into layers of seasoned ground beef, a creamy and cool sour cream layer and fresh veggie toppings, this is such a hearty and satisfying dip, you could almost serve it as a light meal.

Why We Love This Recipe

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

Recommended Tools

• Large Skillet
• 8×8 Casserole Dish
• Wooden Spoon
• Sharp Knife
• Slotted Spoon or Colander

What’s Needed to Make the Best Taco Dip Recipe

• 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.

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.

Can I Make This Delicious 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.

Should this Be Served as a Cold or a Hot Taco Dip?

This creamy 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 placed in the fridge.

• Ground Beef Taco Dip
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• Easy Pizza Pinwheels
• Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
• Pretzel Bites
• Seven-Layer Dip Cups
• Black Bean and Corn Salsa