Taco Crack Dip with Ranch
Finding the perfect appetizer for your next party doesn’t have to be difficult! That’s why I love dip recipes so much! They’re always quick and easy to prepare — even if you’re looking for gluten free appetizer ideas. And no matter what type of party you’re throwing, dip is always a hit. The next time you’re looking for a snack idea for a get-together, try this taco crack dip! The delicious combination of spicy taco meat and cool ranch dressing make this dip a snack that everyone at your party will devour.
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It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for a snack idea for the big game or just need an appetizer to take to a potluck dinner, this ranch taco dip is sure to be a popular choice. But the best part about this simple recipe is that it’s naturally gluten free!
In addition to being addicting, you can whip up this flavorful party snack with just a few minutes of prep work. And since it’s a one-pot recipe, you won’t have a big mess to clean up when you’re finished cooking!
Looking for more simple recipes that are gluten free? Check out all my easy gluten free recipes for more meal ideas.
What is Crack Taco Dip Made Of?
The base of this dip is cream cheese, giving it a smooth and creamy texture that matches well with just about anything you dip in it. But what makes this crack taco dip is the addition of ranch dressing!

To make this easy taco crack dip recipe, you’ll need:
- Ground beef with taco seasoning: To give your dip more taco flavor, start with some ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning. You can use a prepackaged envelop of seasoning or make your own from scratch.
- Rotel: Another simple way to add tons of flavor to your taco dip is with the help of Rotel. Rotel is simply diced tomatoes with green chilis mixed in. Use mild Rotel for just a hint of spice or grab some hot Rotel to crank up the heat.
- Cream cheese: To create a thick and creamy base for your ranch taco dip, cream cheese is a must. I recommend using full-fat cream cheese in this recipe to get the best flavor and texture.
- Sour cream: You can’t make tacos without sour cream, which means you cant’ make taco crack dip without sour cream either! You just need a small amount of sour cream to create a smooth and creamy dip.
- Ranch dressing mix: What makes this recipe stand out from regular taco dips is the addition of ranch dressing seasoning. Add a packet of store-bough ranch dressing seasoning or blend your own from scratch.
- Shredded taco blend cheese: Just like a real taco, this taco dip is made with shredded cheese. I like using taco blend cheese because it comes with a variety of cheeses in one bag. But you could also mix in one type of cheese, like cheddar or monterry jack.
How to Make Taco Crack Dip
Making ranch taco dip is a pretty simple process. In addition to the ingredients in the dip, you’ll also need a large skillet that’s big enough to hold all your ingredients.

Start by browning the ground beef in your large skillet. Continue cooking the beef until it’s fully cooked, then drain any excess grease from the pan if needed. After that, add the diced tomatoes with green chilis, taco seasoning, and a small amount of water. Stir to mix all the ingredients together until they’re well combined, then cook the meat mixture over medium heat. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it starts to thicken.

Once the taco sauce has thickened in the pan, you can add the cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheese. Stir to mix all the ingredients and continue cooking the dip over medium heat until the cream cheese is melted. It’s a good idea to keep stirring the dip as it simmers to ensure that the cream cheese is fully melted and doesn’t burn.
After the cheese is melted, you can transfer your dip to a serving dish. Then,you can add some garnish to the top of the dip for decoration. I used extra shredded cheese and a spoonful of leftover Rotel to garnish my taco dip, but there are a vareity of other delicious options for garnish. Consider adding one or all of these yummy toppings:
- Salsa
- Chopped green onion
- Sliced jalapeno peppers
- Chopped tomatoes
- Black olives that are thinly sliced
- Chopped cilantro
- Lettuce
- Guacamole
- Sliced avocadoes
What Can I Serve with Taco Crack Dip?
Now that you have your taco dip garnished and ready to be served, you’re probably wondering what to serve with it. Try these different dippers with your crack dip:
- Tortilla chips: You can’t go wrong when enjoying taco dip with classic tortilla chips. And since most varieties are gluten free, you have several options to choose from.
- Corn chips: Another great gluten free choice for dipping in your taco dip are corn chips, like Fritos.
- Veggies: With the help of sliced veggies, you can your carb count low. Good veggie options for dipping include carrot chips, bell pepper slices, baby carrots, and celery sticks.

What is in Crack Dip?
Crack dip is typically made by combining cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix. Some recipes also add in other ingredients, like crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and chopped green onion.
Is crack taco dip gluten free?
If you’re wondering whether taco crack dip is gluten free, the answer is it depends. While some recipes don’t use any gluten-containing ingredients, others do. That’s why it’s a good idea to make your own dip instead of relying on someone else. That way, you know exactly what’s in the recipe before you eat it. All the ingredients used in this crack taco dip are gluten free.
Is there gluten in taco seasoning packets?
Most taco seasoning packets are gluten free. But it’s always a good idea to check the label of your packet before using it in your taco dip. There are a variety of brands of taco seasoning that are labeled as gluten free, including:
- McCormick gluten free taco seasoning
- Pioneer brand gluten free taco seasoning
- Old El Paso original taco seasoning mix
- Ortega taco seasoning
Taco Crack Dip
Combine two classic recipes into one delicious appetizer with this simple recipe for taco crack dip with ranch.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 10.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups fiesta blend shredded cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onion in a large skillet.
- Add the taco seasoning, water, and tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine. Simmer until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing, and shredded cheese.
- Cook over medium low heat until the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 686mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 17g
More Easy Gluten Free Recipes:
Easy 4-Ingredient Gluten Free Pickle Appetizers
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Emily is a midwestern mom of two boys. She loves all things DIY — from home renovations to kids birthday party planning. Whether she’s making a new farmhouse craft for her home or helping her kids with a cool activity, you can bet she’s in the middle of some kind of DIY project (or three) right now!




Would you eat this hot or cold?
This dip is best served hot!
Looking forward to trying this recipe! I’m disappointed that I can’t print the recipe without all the advertisements for the products used.
Easy and delicious! Thank you