This Easy Taco Dip is a super simple dip that’s loaded with flavor and is a guaranteed hit at any cookout this summer. Made with a cream cheese and sour cream base and then topped off with classic taco toppings, everyone is going to love this easy dip!
I don’t know why I always hesitate to share the easy recipes. The hand-scrawled, crinkled and well-used ones that are tucked in the front of my recipe box, but that don’t even really need even reference anymore because I’ve made them so many times and know them so well that I have them committed to my memory.
Recently I’ve gotten better about it, I’ve shared my simple Texas caviar, my almost-too-easy pulled chicken, and my favorite macaroni salad that I can pretty much make with my eyes closed at this point.
This incredibly easy taco dip recipe is one such recipe, and I was especially hesitant to share it because it almost seems ridiculously simple.
But, it’s also a favorite recipe in my house and I’ve been making this taco dip by request for every single party and get together for at least the past decade.
Taco dip is made with a classic cream cheese/sour cream base, is seasoned with taco seasoning (you can use a storebought packet or make your own taco seasoning), and is topped with all of your favorite taco toppings.
Crisp shredded lettuce, hot jalapeños, shredded Mexican cheese and juicy Roma tomatoes always make an appearance on mine, but I’ve heard of people adding everything from scallions to carrots (?!) to theirs.
That’s another thing to love about this taco dip recipe… it’s so versatile. Since I can’t stand olives and Zach feels the same about tomatoes, usually we make this recipe with a line down the center of it–olives on his half and tomatoes on mine.
However you want to customize it, I’m pretty sure you’ll love it.
Enjoy!!
Easy Taco Dip
Ingredients
- 16 oz (455 g) brick-style cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 2 cups (450 g) sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons (30 g) taco seasoning (this is a 1 oz packet of premade taco seasoning or you can use your favorite homemade recipe)
- 1 cup finely chopped lettuce
- 4 Roma tomatoes seeds removed, chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup (65 g) sliced olives
- sliced jalapenos, pickled or fresh for topping, optional
- 1 ¼ cup (145 g) finely shredded sharp cheddar or mexican cheese
- Corn chips for serving
Instructions
- Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large bowl and stir together until creamed and well-combined (I like to use my electric mixer just to make sure there are no lumps).16 oz (455 g) brick-style cream cheese, 2 cups (450 g) sour cream
- Add taco seasoning and stir well.4 Tablespoons (30 g) taco seasoning
- Spread mixture evenly into a 9-10" pie dish.
- Top mixture with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, olives, jalapenos (if using) and finally evenly sprinkle with shredded cheese.1 cup finely chopped lettuce, 4 Roma tomatoes, ½ cup (65 g) sliced olives, sliced jalapenos, pickled or fresh, 1 ¼ cup (145 g) finely shredded sharp cheddar or mexican cheese
- Taco dip can be served immediately or can be covered and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.Corn chips
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This recipe was originally published 09/04/2015 and has been updated 06/09/2018.
Original photo:
Jill
So easy and so good. Took to a party and came home with and empty dish.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Jill! 🙂
Deanna O'Connor
I love how simple the recipe is. Thank you
Sam
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed, Deanna!
Shelley
So incredibly easy and so good! I did it exactly as the recipe states and it was perfect!
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Shelley! 🙂
Ray Tanguay
Morning Sam when you have a new recipes please end thank you send it to my gmail address please end thank you. i am thiking of making the Ultimate taco salad recipe
Sam
Hi Ray! If you go to this page you can sign up to receive emails. You will then receive an email and you will have to confirm your subscription. 🙂
LVS2BK
Made this for years but reverse: 16 oz sour cream, 8 oz block cream cheese, pkg of taco seasoning. Then layer roma tomatoes (no seeds) AND then pour jar of mild salsa over tomatoes ( I use Paul Newman) then sprinkle finely shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese! No lettuce. Everyone LOVES it! I hope you’ll try mine, Sam. Thnx, I Love so many of your recipes!
Sam
Yummy! Thank you for sharing, I will try this sometime! Thank you for trying my recipes, I appreciate it 🙂
Kris
This is so darn good! I usually buy it from the deli but I can’t go back. This is WAYYY better. ^^
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Kris! Homemade is always better if you ask me. 🙂
Lorri
I havent made this yet but reading some comments… I wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing this FREE recipe with everyone.
I buy a lot of taco dip and cant wait to see how this turns out.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Lorri. I hope that you enjoy the recipe when you try it! 🙂
Rachel
Delicious! I added some black beans on top of the cream cheese/sour cream layer (just because I love them!) and everything else exactly as written. I’ll definitely make this again. Thanks!
Sam
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for letting me know how the taco dip turned out for you, Rachel! 🙂
Cecile Duhnke
There are WAY too many ads in this page. Obnoxious!
Sam
Hi Cecile, The ads are what make these (free) recipes possible. My recipes are free to read and free to not read. If the ads are bothersome to you I would recommend buying a cookbook.
Francine
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Rita Kalina
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Ela
😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Nancy
I love this recipe! I put a layer of refried beans on the bottom and then layer the cream cheese/sour cream mixture on top. I also add some green onion as a garnish. Delicious!
Sam
I am so glad you like the taco dip so much, Nancy! The beans sound like an excellent addtion. 🙂
Nicole Hooker
This is a great recipe I did tweak it because I think taco seasoning just tastes off instead I use taco sauce. Sometimes I add a little bit of seasoning but not much as it gets great flavor without being too overpowering.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the taco dip, Nicole! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Jamie
I added beef and also topped off with taco sauce. Delicious!!!
Sam
Yum! That sounds great, Jamie! Thank you for commenting!
Mary
How many carbs per serving
Sam
Hi Mary! Unfortunately I haven’t calculated the carbs for this recipe. There are a few online calculators that I like to use that will be able to tell you. 🙂
Patricia Webb
My family loves this dip. It is easy, delicious and perfect for the vegetarians too.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoys the dip so much, Patricia! 🙂
Tammy
Thank you for the recipe to was perfect and the family loved it.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the taco dip was a hit, Tammy! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Nancy
You need to spread salsa over the cream cheese mixture, adds so much more flavor, and have guacamole on the side for those guacamole lovers.
Sugar Spun Run
Sounds like a perfect touch, Nancy! 🙂
Debbie
I used a large jar of Salsa too! It gives it a delicious taste. I also heated it in the oven just to melt the cheese.
Everyone loved it warmed up. We used Scoops for dipping.
Donna m Sandley
I made this and I found it was too runny. Maybe should use 8 oz sour cream instead of 16 oz. Anyone else find it too runny?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Donna! If the taco dip is runny It is usually due to the fresh ingredients added. You want to make sure that your lettuce is pat dry, and your olives were drained well before adding to the dip. I hope that this helps! 🙂
Anna LF
My dip is runny too pre-lettuce and tomato. I have the base in a bowl in the fridge to firm up. I think it’s because I used an immersion blender??
Sam
Most likely because of the blender. If you tried to substitute a low-fat or tub-style cream cheese that could also do it.
hdb
It firms up when refrigerated for a while.
PY
For me, the tomatoes and lettuce made it runny after a while. I now pat them dry with a paper towel and it helps. Totally unrelated, I use Old El Paso original taco seasoning mix – my family likes that one the best for this dip. Thinking I’d like to add a layer of refried beans to the bottom and see what that tastes like.
DD
I added refried beans to half of it after the base layer and it was great.