Looking for a quick and easy party appetizer that will impress your guests? Try this simple yet delicious taco dip recipe.
Made with just a few key ingredients, including cream cheese, sour cream, and a perfect blend of taco seasoning, this dip is sure to become a hit.
Add your favorite taco toppings, like shredded cheese, onions, diced tomatoes, or sliced jalapeños. With its bold flavors and creamy texture, this cream cheese taco dip is a crowd-pleaser that you can whip up in no time.
⭐ Serve this dip along with other party dip recipes such as buffalo chicken dip, jalapeno popper dip, spinach artichoke dip at your next party!
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Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- Sour cream - you can use unsweetened Greek yogurt or a vegan sour cream or yogurt instead.
- Taco seasoning - you can make your own taco seasoning or use pre-mixed taco seasoning packets. The main ingredients you need here are ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, ground chili or ground cayenne pepper, herbs + salt, and black pepper. To make it whole family-friendly, omit the peppers or use a little less so everyone can eat.
- Cream cheese - full-fat cream cheese is best for creamy and rich flavor but feel free to use low-fat options for less calories.
Toppings
Here are some ideas we like to use for toppings:
- Shredded cheese - Monterey Jack or pepper jack, or a vegan cheese substitute. Or use crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese for a more authentic Mexican flavor.
- Olives - add meaty texture and savory flavor. You can use green, but they are generally too salty which will ruin the flavor of the dip. Or use half and half of both options.
- Green onions - or you can totally use finely chopped red onions (for more pungent flavor) or brown onions here. Whatever toppings you'll use be sure not to skip the onion as it adds that necessary zing and crunch to taco dip.
- Chopped fresh cilantro - what is a taco dish without cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice? We love it! But I get it, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, you can substitute it with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a milder flavor.
- Guacamole - use my 3 ingredient guacamole or avocado crema instead.
- Lettuce - Chopped lettuce will add a fresh and crisp texture.
- Tomatoes - diced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or pico de gallo if you have more time for prep.
- Jalapeños - fresh or jarred jalapenos or green chiles are the best here. If using fresh, remove the seeds and membrane first.
Instructions
With an electric mixer on medium, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning.
Transfer the dip into a serving dish (I used 9-inch round dish), and even the top out with a spatula.
Cover and let chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes for flavors to blend more.
When ready to serve, add your toppings: lettuce, shredded cheese, olives, green onion, and diced tomatoes.
We like to serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, or veggie sticks.
This dip can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. However, I recommend keeping the toppings separately.
🥗Make It Healthier
Use low-fat ingredients - this dip will still taste delicious with low-fat or fat-free cream cheese. Or Greek yogurt and sour cream. Always read the ingredients label, these ingredients should not contain sugar, sweeteners, or other additives.
Serve with lots of veggies - the more the merrier. Veggies add fiber and nutrients while reducing the amount of high-calorie ingredients.
Skip the chips - instead of tortilla chips, serve this creamy taco dip with veggie dippers such as celery, carrot, cucumber, bell pepper sticks.
Make your own taco seasoning - store-bought seasonings are high in sodium and fillers. Make your own homemade taco seasoning and reduce the salt amount if needed.
Tips
- Let the dip chill in the fridge prior to serving. I like to chill it for at least 30 minutes for flavors to blend together and dip to thicken up. And for the toppings to look fresh, I will only add them later when ready for serving.
- For those who enjoy a bit of heat in their food, adding hot sauce or chopped jalapeños to the taco dip can take it to the next level. Just be sure to adjust the amount of hot sauce or jalapeños to your desired level of heat, as they can quickly overpower the other flavors in the dip.
- You can also make a layered taco dip by adding refried beans, black beans, and/or taco ground beef in the bottom of a casserole dish and then the cream cheese mixture on top along with lots of additional toppings.
- Vegan modification - you can swap the sour cream for plain unsweetened plant-based yogurt and use a coconut cream cheese instead. The overall flavor will change but if you are already used to plant-based products this shouldn’t be a big difference. I like coconut cream cheese a lot and use it often instead of dairy options.
📋 JULIA'S TIP For the best flavored taco dip use fresh and best quality ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Here is what we like to serve taco dip with:
- Corn chips
- Veggie sticks
- Breadsticks, crackers, crusty bread, pita bread
- Use it as a tasty topping - It makes for a great topping on baked potatoes, grilled chicken, soups, salads and tacos.
- As a sandwich spread - in a ciabatta sandwich or chicken wrap.
- As a party appetizer - as a tasty option for taco bar, taco dinner board along with other tasty Mexican-style dips such as guacamole, pico de gallo, and avocado crema.
- Salad - with Taco or similar Tex-Mex Salad.
- Mexican rice bowls - add a dollop of creamy dip to your bowl of Mexican rice and toppings.
- Don't forget to serve this dip with Margarita cocktails, flavored agua frescas, and Mexican beers.
- Make a layered taco dip by adding multiple layers to the serving dish. Use some leftover taco meat and refried beans from tostadas for the bottom layers and top the whole thing with a cream cheese layer and toppings.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Transfer the dip to an airtight container or cover with a lid. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
- To Freeze. The dip is best made and enjoyed fresh, if you need to freeze it for later then combine all ingredients and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Don't add the toppings.
FAQs
If you have ground cumin and ground chili that is the bare minimum that would taste pretty close to the actual taco seasoning mix.
Both of these fall under the condiments category, but they serve different purposes. Dips are usually made for dunking food or as a standalone snack, which can be complemented with various toppings. On the other hand, sauces are generally mixed with other ingredients or used as a topping to enhance the flavor of the food.
Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you like Taco Night Dinners, try these readers' favorite recipes next!
I do take liberties in adapting the recipes to suit our family's taste preferences and making these more Yummy Bowl-appropriate, hope you enjoy them!
Looking for more amazing Mexican-Inspired recipes? Don't miss our tasty Cinco de Mayo party collection. Here are some of our favorites:
More Easy Appetizers
💗I hope you'll enjoy this easy taco dip recipe, please leave a rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo of your food and tag me on Instagram @theyummy_bowl. I love seeing your creations! 💗
Happy Cooking,
Love,
Julia
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Recipe
Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip
INGREDIENTS
For the Dip
- 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon taco seasoning (homemade)
Toppings (optional)
- 1 cup crunchy lettuce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 2 tablespoons green onions
INSTRUCTIONS
- With an electric mixer on medium, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning.
- Transfer the dip into a serving dish (I used a 9-inch round dish), and even the top out with a spatula. Cover and let chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes for flavors to blend more.
- When ready to serve, add your toppings: lettuce, shredded cheese, olives, green onion, diced tomatoes.
- We like to serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, or veggie sticks.
- This dip can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. However, I recommend keeping the toppings separately.
Video
NOTES
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
we love to make this 5 minute creamy taco dip with nachos and veggie sticks!