Taco Dip

Taco dip is the perfect combination of handy pantry staples and fresh ingredients. It is everything you would want out of a gloriously creamy, zesty party dip with crispy, crunchy, spicy toppings. It makes a delicious addition to the appetizer table at game night, an awards show watch party, tailgate, movie night, cookout, or anywhere there might be tortilla chips!

What is taco dip?

Not to be confused with a seven layer dip or a Tex-Mex-inspired dip, taco dip starts with a flavorful base of cream cheese, sour cream, chopped pickled jalapeños, lime, and the holy grail of all things taco: a taco seasoning packet. After the mixture is spread and swooped around a casserole dish, the topping options are endless. 

This recipe includes refreshing and tasty toppings: shredded romaine, chopped tomato, a Mexican blend cheese, olives, onion, and pickled jalapeños. However, there is plenty of wiggle room, if desired. This dip would be delicious with iceberg lettuce, sliced green onion, sliced avocado, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, or even thawed frozen corn. 

What is in taco seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and a few other spices. It often has cornstarch or some sort of thickening agent so that your ground meat sauce is nice and hearty. Here, it helps stabilize our creamy dip. You can make your own or pick up a packet at the store for this recipe. 1 (1-ounce) packet has a little less than a ¼ cup of seasoning. 

Can taco dip be made ahead?

The base of this recipe can absolutely be made ahead; it requires the bulk of the preparation, after all. Wait to sprinkle the toppings onto the dip just before serving so that they are fresh and crunchy. The dip can be whipped up the night before and the toppings can be chopped, measured, and packed up for future garnishing.