Easy Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

5 from 2 votes
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This easy yet impressive taco dip with cream cheese will quickly become part of your go-to appetizer rotation! The delightfully smooth and spiced cream cheese base features homemade taco seasoning, softened cream cheese, and protein-packed Greek yogurt, all topped with classic taco fixings. One bite and you’ll taste why this dip always impresses a crowd (and no one has to know how simple it is to make)!

taco dip topped with avocado slices and fresh jalapenos

Recipe Highlights

  • Easy: It doesn’t get easier than this! Simply mix the base ingredients together, spread in a serving dish, and top with classic taco fixings.
  • No bake: This taco dip recipe is quick, too. It’s ready in just 5 minutes for an anytime appetizer to keep in your back pocket.
  • Customizable: Simply swap out or add your favorite toppings.
  • Pretty: Not only does it taste great, it looks beautiful. It’s bright, colorful, and eye-catching on any appetizer table.
tortilla chip being dipped into a bowl of taco dip

What You’ll Need

Just a few simple ingredients needed for homemade taco dip! (For the full recipe with measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

  • Cream cheese: The sturdy base of this taco dip. Make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature before beginning so the other ingredients incorporate smoothly. For recipes like this that call for softened cream cheese, I like to take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator about an hour prior to using.
  • Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt adds tang and a protein-punch as well as lightens up the consistency of the dip a bit.
  • Taco seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade taco seasoning. If using store-bought, 1 packet of seasoning is the perfect amount.
  • Lime juice + zest: Adds a welcome bright, fresh, zesty flavor to the dip.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, shredded iceberg lettuce, diced avocado, and sliced jalapeño peppers are tasty toppings.
taco dip ingredients in bowls

How to Make Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

  1. Make the base: Combine the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, taco seasoning, lime zest, and lime juice in a large bowl. I recommend using an electric hand mixer for the smoothest, creamiest consistency.
  2. Spread: Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a serving dish and spread it in an even layer.
  3. Add toppings: Top the base with your favorite taco toppings.
  4. Serve: Enjoy with tortilla chips and an additional squeeze of fresh lime juice.

How to Soften Cream Cheese

4 unique (and quick!) ways to soften cream cheese for baking and cooking.

a person is putting cubes of tofu into a plastic bag.
cheese mixture for taco dip in a mixing bowl

How to Serve It

Taco dip is made for tortilla chips! It also tastes great with sliced fresh veggies, pretzels, or spread on tortillas. It’s a tasty game day addition and a wonderful appetizer before a dinner of cheese enchiladas, stuffed poblano peppers, or chicken quesadillas. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it disappears – it’s always a crowd favorite!

Easy Flavor Swaps and Variations

Make this taco dip your own with any of the following:

Try a Mexican cheese (like cotija or queso fresco) or shredded pepper jack instead of shredded cheddar cheese.

Instead of Greek yogurt, sour cream works in a pinch.

Add other favorite taco toppings like sliced black olives, diced onion, sliced avocado, a dollop of guacamole, or a sprinkle of cilantro.

Make this taco dip spicy! Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cream cheese base and/or keep the seeds in the jalapeño.

taco dip spread in a casserole dish

Storing Leftovers

I highly recommend making and enjoying this dip on the same day. If you do have leftovers, transfer to an airtight container (or cover the serving dish tightly with plastic wrap) and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

FAQ

Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?

Definitely, though the dip won’t be as light and tangy. Replace the plain Greek yogurt with an equal amount of sour cream, or use half yogurt and half sour cream.

What size serving dish is best for taco dip?

Any pan that’s similar in size to an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan works great. This recipe is incredibly forgiving with simple layers, so use whatever pan you have on hand.

Is taco dip spicy?

It’s packed with warm flavor from the taco seasoning and jalapeño, but is not overly spicy. The creamy base of the dip offsets any spice!

taco dip in a serving dish
5 from 2 votes

Taco Dip Recipe

This easy taco dip with cream cheese comes together in less than 5 minutes with classic taco flavors. It's delightfully creamy, perfectly spiced, and always impresses a crowd.
By: Emily Richter
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced, seeds removed

Instructions 

  • Add the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, taco seasoning, lime zest, and lime juice to a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to mix until well combined and no lumps remain.
    a bowl of orange icing on a white background.
  • Transfer the creamy mixture to a serving dish (similar in size to an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan) and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer.
    a white dish with a whipped cream in it.
  • Top with shredded cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, Roma tomatoes, avocado, and jalapeño.
  • Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
    a person dipping tortilla chips into a dish of salsa.

Tips & Notes

  • Storage instructions: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Watch It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”BIHj9htq” upload-date=”2022-01-29T00:00:00.000Z” name=”Taco Dip” description=”This easy taco dip comes together in 3 steps and only takes 5 minutes to make! Grab some tortilla chips and enjoy this perfectly cheesy dip.”]

Nutrition

Calories: 503 kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 21 g, Fat: 43 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 6 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Emily Richter

Emily spent the first 10 years of her career in marketing and advertising roles and started side-hustling with our sister site, Fit Foodie Finds, in Fall of 2015. She joined the team full-time in the Spring of 2018. Em lives in Minneapolis with her husband and dog, and manages The Cheese Knees (and Fit Foodie Finds) business operations as well as all things sponsorships and brand collaborations.

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Lindsey F.
Lindsey F.
September 9, 2022 3:41 pm

5 stars
Made this for a party what my mom had for my brother when he got home from the Army. I tell you what, it didn’t last long and everybody asked for the recipe. I used Early Girls rather than Roma tomatoes and it worked out just fine. Good recipe like all the recipes here. It’s fun to try new things.

Emily Richter
Emily Richter
September 13, 2022 9:42 am
Reply to  Lindsey F.

So happy to hear everyone loved this taco dip!