This American Flag Taco Dip is the perfect addition to your patriotic celebrations! It is a super easy appetizer to make and is sure to be a hit with all your guests!
Making red white and blue food dishes is a fun way to celebrate the 4th of July or any patriotic holiday. I’ve made this red, white and blue dip for Memorial Day and Labor Day also and it’s always been a hit with no leftovers.
It requires no cooking so it’s perfect for those hot summer months when you don’t want to turn on the oven. And it’s great for cookouts as you can make it the night before or in the morning before the party and it’s ready to go by the time the party rolls around.
This is basically the same recipe as my 5 layer taco dip but layered and arranged differently to resemble the American flag. You can also customize it to your liking and add other variations as well. I shared those options for you below. Enjoy!
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Flag Taco Dip Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cream Cheese: I used regular cream cheese for this recipe but you can use light or fat free if you prefer. Just make sure it is softened to room temperature before using.
- Sour Cream: I used regular sour cream but you can also use light or fat free if you prefer. You could use a plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Taco Seasoning: I used packaged taco seasoning to save on time but you could also make homemade taco seasoning.
- Shredded Cheese: I used Monterey Jack to represent the white stripes of the flag but you could use any other kind of white cheese.
- Salsa: I like to use a mild chunky salsa but you can use any heat level or brand you prefer or make your own.
- Shredded Lettuce: You can buy premade shredded lettuce or slice your own from a head of lettuce.
- Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes sliced in half length wise to make the flag plus diced up tomatoes for the dip portion.
- Black Olives: Canned sliced black olives is best for this recipe.
- Blue Tortilla Chips: These are used to create the blue part of the flag.
- Cheese: I use slices of white mild cheddar to make the star cutouts for the flag but you can use any white cheese you’d like.
How to Make A Taco Dip Flag
Start by mixing the cream cheese, salsa, taco seasoning and sour cream together in a bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and no clumps.
Then spread the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish.
Add diced tomatoes over top of mixture, then sliced olives.
Add a layer of shredded lettuce and then shredded cheese.
Add crushed blue tortilla chips in a square in the left hand corner. Arrange rows of sliced grape tomatoes to create alternating red and white stripes resembling the American flag.
Finish off by adding cheese stars made from a star shaped cookie cutter on top of the blue tortilla chips.
Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Helpful Tips for Making American Flag Taco Dip
- If you plan on making the taco dip the night before, add the lettuce and tomato layers right before serving for maximum freshness.
- Use any flavor salsa and chunkiness you’d prefer.
- A hand mixer works best to blend up the taco dip ingredients.
- Chill for 1-2 hours for best results.
- Offer an array of dippable options like tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers.
What Else Can I Add to the Taco Layer Dip?
- Add beans such as black beans, refried beans, or even pinto beans can all work well in this dish.
- Swap Monterey Jack cheese with other cheeses such as white mild cheddar, pepper jack, or another kind of white shredded cheese.
- Add some heat with diced jalapeños or adding a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Add guacamole layer in the flag dip.
- For a healthier option, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
How to Store Taco Dip
Cover or store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It’s best to eat the leftovers sooner than later as the lettuce tends to wilt and the layers get watery.
More Patriotic Recipes
- Red White and Blue Sangria
- Patriotic Berry Pie
- Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad
- Bomb Pop Cocktail
- Twizzler Sparkler Cake
Recipe
American Flag Taco Dip
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz.) Package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 8 oz. of Sour Cream
- 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
- 16 oz. of Mild Salsa
- 1 (8 oz.) Package of Monterey Jack Shredded Cheese
- 1 Small bag of Shredded Lettuce
- 2 Large Red Tomatoes diced
- 1 Small can of Black Sliced Olives
- 1-2 Handfuls Blue Tortilla Chips crushed
- 1-2 Slices American Mild Cheddar cut into star shapes
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half lengthwise
Instructions
- Start by mixing the cream cheese, salsa, taco seasoning and sour cream together in a bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and no clumps.
- Then spread the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish.
- Add diced tomatoes over top of mixture, then sliced olives, followed by shredded lettuce and cheese.
- Add crushed blue tortilla chips in a square in the left hand corner. Arrange rows of sliced grape tomatoes to create alternating red and white stripes resembling the American flag.
- Finish off by adding cheese stars made from a star shaped cookie cutter on top of the blue tortilla chips.
- Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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