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Taco Dip with Ground Beef has lots of delicious layers for the best party dip. This is always a crowd pleaser and so easy to make.

Taco Dip with Ground Beef is the perfect appetizer to serve for your game day party, Taco Tuesday or holiday gathering. It is delicious served with tortilla chips or crackers for a crowd pleasing dip recipe.
If you love this recipe, make sure to try CrockPot Taco Dip, Seven-Layer Dip, Crockpot Taco Salad Recipe, Oven Nachos and Taco Dip Recipe.
What's in this post: Taco Dip with Ground Beef
What is Taco Dip made of?
This taco dip has amazing layers of ground beef, cream cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes and more. You can easily change things up and add or omit based on your preference. This taco is packed with savory flavor and easy to make.
We make a similar Taco Dip that does not have the ground beef.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We used lean ground beef
- Taco Seasoning – I use our easy Homemade Taco Seasoning but you can also use the packet
- Salsa – Use chunky salsa or use Homemade Salsa Recipe
- Sour Cream – Low Calorie option use Greek Yogurt
- Cream Cheese – Make sure cream cheese is softened
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce – Chop the lettuce
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Use shredded cheese of your choice. Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese is a great option.
- Toppings – Add your favorite toppings such as diced Tomatoes, bell peppers, sliced black olives and sour cream.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Refried Beans – Add a layer of refried beans to the dip. Sometimes I add this and it is so delicious. Just put the refried beans in the baking dish first and put the cream cheese layer on top of the beans.
- Remove the Ground Beef – Omit the meat! Skip the ground beef layer and add refried beans or just enjoy with the cream cheese layer alone. I have tried all of these options and they are all amazing.
- Use Ground Turkey – You can easily substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for ground beef. It blends with the taco seasoning and other flavors. No one will even notice!
How to Make Ground Beef Taco Dip
Step 1 – First, brown the ground beef. I used a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the ground beef has finished cooking, drain off the excess grease.
Step 2 – Second, stir in 1 Tablespoon of the taco seasoning or ½ a packet if using store bought) with the salsa and water. Cook uncovered for a few minutes. It normally takes between 2 to 4 minutes.
Step 3 – Next, in a separate large bowl, add together the cream cheese, sour cream and the remaining taco seasoning and beat with a hand held mixer.
Step 4 – Finally, spread the cream cheese blend in the bottom of a 8X8 or 9X9 pan. You might need to use a spatula to smooth out the cream cheese mixture.
- Step 5 – Once the cream cheese mixture is smooth, top with the ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sliced olives. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Baking Dish – We prepared this taco dip in an 8×8 baking dish but you can double the recipe and prepare in a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cream Cheese – Before combining the ingredients make sure that the cream cheese is softened for best creamy texture.
- Chop Vegetables – To prepare this layered taco dip ahead of time, I like to prepare the vegetables ahead of time and store until ready to prepare the dip.
- Leftover Taco Meat – If you have leftover taco meat, you can easily make this dip in just a few steps.
What to Serve with Taco dip with Ground Beef?
- Tortilla Chips
- Corn Chips
- Pita Chips
- Veggies- carrot and cucumber sticks work great.
More Topping Ideas
- Onions – Add red, Vidalia or green onions are a delicious addition.
- Jalapenos – If you like extra heat, add some of these to the top.
- Fresh Lime – Sometimes, I will take a lime wedge and squeeze a little on top.
- Sour cream – You can add a few dollops on the dish or use the squeeze containers to make a pretty design.
- Guacamole – We have an easy homemade guacamole recipe that makes an delicious topping.
- Black Beans – Sprinkle a handful of black beans on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often the extra juices from the salsa or vegetables can add liquid to the dip and make it runny. We recommend assembling the dip an hour before serving.
To save time, try making the individual dip layers ahead of time but do not assemble until you are ready to serve. This will prevent the veggies from getting too soft and the dip from getting runny from excess liquid.We do this often because it is a great solution. You can still prep part of the dish to save time and it will be super easy to put the layers together the day of.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
More Easy Dip Recipes
We love to hear from you. If you make Taco Dip with Ground Beef Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Taco Dip with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning Divided (or 1 packet)
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Salsa
- 16 oz Sour Cream
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 2 cups shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 medium Tomatoes diced
- 1/4 cup Slice Olives
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Drain off the excess grease. Then stir in 1 Tbsp of the taco seasoning (or ½ a packet), the salsa and water into the heat. Cook uncovered for 2-4 minutes.
- In a separate large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream and the remaining taco seasoning with a hand held mixer.
- Then spread the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a 8X8 or 9X9 pan. Top with the ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sliced olives.
- Serve with chips and enjoy!
We love this easy taco dip!!
I just made this and everyone loved it
5 star
One of my favorites! so good.
Me and my family loved this dip!
I already made this twice, and I just have to say thank you! Eating chips would be boring now if I didn’t have this dip. It’s so easy to make… Sometimes, I share it with everyone here, but sometimes, I enjoy it on my own! XD
I love making this recipe for a group!
Very surprised on how good the flavor was!!
One of my all time favorite dip recipes!