Creamy white bean dip is a simple, healthy appetizer made with cannellini beans, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and garlic that delivers far more flavor than its short ingredient list suggests. Serve it with crisp vegetables, crackers, or crostini for snacking and entertaining, or use it as a savory white bean purée beneath grilled shrimp, roasted fish, chicken, or vegetables.
I love serving this white bean dip as a savory base for grilled shrimp, roasted fish, chicken, or vegetables, but it is just as useful as an everyday snack. Keep a container in the refrigerator along with prepped vegetables for easy, healthy snacking, then dress it up with herbs, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil when entertaining. It truly does double duty.
White Bean Dip Recipe Highlights
- Creamy and easy - This white bean dip blends up smooth and creamy in minutes in a food processor.
- Healthy and flavorful - Made with cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon, and garlic for fresh flavor and wholesome ingredients.
- Versatile for serving - Serve it with vegetables, crackers, or toasted bread for snacking or easy entertaining. Make it ahead to save time.
- More than a dip - Serve it as a creamy white bean puree beneath roasted fish, grilled chicken, pork, lamb, or vegetables.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Cannellini beans - The creamy base of the dip, with a mild flavor. Use canned for speed or homemade from dried if you prefer. Great northern and navy beans work as well.
- Extra virgin olive oil - Adds richness, body, and better flavor. Flavored olive oils like lemon and rosemary work well too.
- Lemon juice - Brightens the dip and keeps it from tasting flat or heavy.
- Garlic - Gives it backbone and savory depth.
Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt and pepper.
Substitutions and Variations
White bean dip is so versatile! Use these ideas to change things up.
- Beans - Swap the cannellini beans for Great Northern beans or navy beans if that's what you have on hand.
- Garlic confit - Swap the raw garlic for garlic confit for a softer, sweeter garlic flavor and extra richness.
- Fresh herbs - Add fresh parsley, basil, dill, chives, or thyme to change the flavor profile and make the dip more vibrant.
- Greek yogurt - Blend in a spoonful or two of plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and a little more tang, if dairy is ok.
- Tahini - Add a small amount of tahini for a deeper, nuttier flavor and a texture closer to hummus.
- Warm spice - Try cumin, smoked paprika, Aleppo pepper, or red pepper flakes for a subtle flavor twist.
How to Make White Bean Dip
- Add drained and rinsed cannellini beans to a food processor workbowl. Add the olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, garlic and salt.
- Puree until very smooth. When almost done, scrape down the sides of the workbowl, taste and adjust with any more lemon juice (or water), or salt.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer dip - serve with raw veggies such as red pepper, cucumber slices, snap peas or carrots, pita chips or bread.
More than a dip - Thin it with a little broth or water (if needed) and serve warm as a creamy base for roasted fish, shrimp, grilled meats, or vegetables. For more of a savory base, you can sauté shallot and garlic, add thyme and broth, then blend it warm. I saw this done at a nice wine country restaurant, then came home and copied the idea, it works great.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftover white bean dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dip will thicken as it chills, so stir in a little water, olive oil, or lemon juice before serving to loosen the texture. For the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Cook about 1 cup of dried cannellini beans until tender, which yields roughly the same amount as two 15-ounce cans. Drain well before blending.
Blend the dip a little longer, adding cold water, olive oil, or lemon juice a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you want. For an even creamier dip, blend in a spoonful or two of plain Greek yogurt. A high-powered blender will give you the silkiest texture, but a food processor works too.
More Dip Recipes for Snacking and Entertaining
For more dip and snack recipe ideas check out the recipe index page.
If You Make This White Bean Dip
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📖 Recipe
Creamy White Bean Dip
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 2-15 ounce cans cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice taste and adjust
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 garlic clove finely zested, microplaned
Optional garnishes
- chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or mint
- ground black pepper or aleppo pepper
For serving
- assorted mixed veggies such as bell peppers, zucchini, cucumber, endive leaves, snap peas, radishes, and carrots.
- crostini, crackers, or pita bread
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Instructions
- Add everything to a food processor and puree, starting with 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and adding the third if needed. Taste and adjust for salt, then add what you prefer, if anything.
Notes
Nutrition
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