Vegan Seven Layer Dip

This healthy recipe for seven layer dip is a guaranteed party hit! Refried beans, guac, spiced quinoa, cashew cream & fresh veggies load it with flavor.

Vegan Seven Layer Dip

I have a huge weakness for seven layer dip. Growing up, my mom made it for SO many holidays and gatherings. I’d be sure to grab a seat at the table right next to it so that I could gobble it up, chip after chip after chip after chip. In my family, this was (and still is) called Tex Mex dip. When Jack and I were first dating, he thought this was hilarious, and once I moved down to Texas with him I learned why – this dip is neither Tex nor Mex. In the intervening years, I also learned that I don’t like anyone else’s version except my mom’s. Hers may not be Tex Mex, but I love it, and it doesn’t have weird things like olives.

What’s In My Seven Layer Dip Recipe?

So I decided to use my mom’s seven layer dip recipe as a starting point and actually made a fresh vegan version that tastes pretty close to the original. The only visual difference is the lack of orange cheese, but all of the classic (to me) flavors really come through, especially with the refried beans and tangy guacamole. Instead of sour cream I used cashew cream, and I added chili spiced quinoa to make it heartier. This should serve 4 to 6 as a normal appetizer, but  of course Jack and I sat down and devoured (most of it) for dinner.

7 Layer Dip Recipe

Seven Layer Dip Serving Suggestions

Hosting a party? This seven layer dip would be great alongside mango salsa, tomatillo salsa, or chipotle vegan nachos.

For more snacks and appetizer ideas, check out this post!


5.0 from 14 reviews

Vegan Seven Layer Dip

 
Prep time
Total time
 
This vegan 7-layer dip is a great game day snack or party appetizer! It's a healthy dish full of classic taco dip flavor.
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer, snack
Serves: 6 to 8
Ingredients
  • 1 (14-ounce) can refried beans, or 1¾ cups homemade
  • 1 recipe Kale Guacamole or classic guacamole, pulsed in a food processor
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • ½ bunch scallions, diced
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced or diced, optional
  • Tortilla Chips
Cashew Cream
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
Spiced Quinoa
  • 1½ cups cooked red quinoa
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Make the Cashew Cream: In a blender, combine the cashews, water, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt and blend until creamy. Chill until ready to use.
  2. Make the Spiced Quinoa: In a medium bowl, mix together the quinoa, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, lime juice, olive oil, sea salt, and maple syrup. Chill until ready to use.
  3. In a serving tray that's 8x12 (or similar), layer the refried beans, kale guacamole, cashew cream, and spiced quinoa. Top with the tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, more cashew cream and the jalapeños, if using. Serve with chips.

 

36 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Bob
    08.08.2023

    Made this for our night a Ravinia with friends.
    Me being the only vegan in the group.I thought one dish would be enough. Wrong charcuterie board sat uneaten. This has become my new go t0 recipe.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.11.2023

      How fun! A summer night at Ravinia is the best. I’m so glad everyone loved the dip.

  2. Babs
    12.26.2021

    Addictive. Replaced guac with Wholly ready made and quinoa with brown rice. Added sliced black olives and Kite Hill dairy-free sour cream. Used Siete Grain Free Tortilla Dip Chips. My free-from-everything daughter said I should file this under the Yummy tab of my recipes … and send her the URL. Thank You!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.27.2021

      I’m so glad it was a hit!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.