This easy, vegan 5-minute black bean dip is perfect for your next get-together, or keep it on hand for afternoon snacking.
This easy black bean dip recipe fits right in with my healthy living goals. You see, I’m a snacker, through and through. If I’m going to lose all control of my food willpower, it’s going to happen between meals. Darn those cheese and crackers!
This lack of self-restraint hits hardest when I’m sitting on my butt…watching TV, reading, working on the computer. So, when football and hockey season ramp up, I know that I’m in serious trouble if I don’t have a plan for our game day munchies.
This zesty black bean dip recipe (or any of my favorite Healthy Dips for Entertaining & Snacking) fits the bill on three levels – easy, healthy and delicious. And even better, it takes about 5 minutes to make and uses spices found in most pantries. Short prep time is always a welcome bonus!
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS CREAMY BLACK BEAN DIP RECIPE:
These are the main components of this recipe (affiliate links included):
- Black beans: The recipe calls for 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained.
- Salsa: Use your favorite kind, either homemade or store-bought.
- Garlic: 3 to 4 cloves, minced before adding to the food processor.
- Lime juice: Please use fresh lime juice. It really does make a difference to the flavor of the overall dish.
- Seasoning: Just a bit of cumin and kosher salt does the trick, but feel free to add a dash of chili powder if desired.
- Water: While many dips call for olive oil, I use water to loosen up the texture. Less fat without sacrificing flavor.
- Cilantro: If fresh cilantro isn’t your thing, swap in flat-leaf parsley or green onion instead.
- Many dips call for red onion. I am not a fan of raw red onion and I find that it tends to overpower the flavors in dips like this one. If you feel strongly about adding it, either stir it in at the end or sprinkle a little on top (mince well first).
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
Throw all of the ingredients, except for the cilantro, into a food processor and puree until smooth. Scrape down the sides, add the minced cilantro and pulse briefly to combine. That’s it!
A couple of tricks to remember. First be sure that the canned black beans are drained and well rinsed. Dump the content of the can into a fine mesh sieve and run it under cold water, shaking slightly so that the beans are well rinsed. Once the water is off, shake some more to drain the beans.
One of the ingredients in this easy black bean dip is salsa. Be sure to use a salsa that you love. If the salsa tastes great on its own, then it will be perfect for this dip. Do you prefer some zip in your dip? Choose a medium or hot version. Or add some minced jalapeño pepper.
The garlic should be minced before adding to the food processor. Even though food processors can do wonders when pureeing most foods, I find that the blade doesn’t always reach the garlic cloves adequately when there are several other ingredients in the processor. The last thing you want is a dip with big chunks of raw garlic!
Each ¼ cup serving contains about 80 calories, 0.3 grams of fat, 5.3 grams of fiber and 0 mg of cholesterol. Not too shabby! (Scroll down to the recipe card for more nutritional data.)
According to Medical News Today, black beans are a good source of fiber, potassium, Vitamin B6, selenium, iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc. These various nutrients can have a positive effect on heart health and gut health, as well as other various health concerns.
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How to serve bean dip:
Dipping: Raw veggies (carrots, celery, red bell pepper, cucumber), homemade baked tortilla chips or crackers (my favorite are sweet potato crackers) are all good dippers.
Spreading: Use it in place of hummus in my Vegan Hummus Avocado Sandwich or spread inside Grilled Vegetable Enchiladas, burritos or tacos.
Is black bean dip served hot or cold?
I typically serve this bean dip at room temperature. However, it’s also fantastic served warm. It can be warmed in the oven, in a saucepan on the stovetop or even in the microwave (use a lower power setting).
How long does black bean dip last?
When stored in an airtight container, such as this one, this dip will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can black bean dip be frozen?
Yes! And that is a fantastic reason to make a double or even triple batch of this healthy dip. Transfer the mixture to freezer containers or resealable freezer bags in desired serving sizes. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To defrost, transfer the dip to the refrigerator.
Other healthy dip recipes:
Healthy Mediterranean 7-Layer Dip
Roasted Cauliflower Dip
3-Ingredient Pesto Yogurt Dip
5-Minute Black Bean Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (14 oz. each) cans low-sodium black beans, drained & rinsed
- ¾ cup salsa
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup minced cilantro
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, puree the black beans, salsa, garlic, lime juice, cumin, water and salt until smooth.
- Add the cilantro and pulse until just combined.
- Serve with tortilla chips or raw vegetables.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published on September 24, 2014 and updated on October 18, 2021.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Mona
We really love this dip. I started making it about a year ago and have probably made it 30 times since then. Thanks for such an easy, delicious recipe.
Barbara J. Stephan
Maybe I have weak taste buds or sense of smell but to me this recipe, as is ,was somewhat bland. I added double the amount of spices and lime juice and salsa that the recipe called for and way more salt also. I do realize this is to be a low sodium recipe .
Ari
I absolutely LOVE this dip. I’ve made this so many times. But now I’ve joined WW Freestyle and my app says the recipe is 1pt per serving, not ZERO like you have at the end of your recipe. And I doing something wrong, or has the point value changed since your last edit in Oct 2021?
Dara
Hi Ari, the WW points system has changed again and I haven't had the chance to update the points in all of my recipes. Since the points are so individualized now, I suggest adding the ingredients into WW's recipe builder for accuracy.
Bella Adams
This dish is just delicious! There is nothing to add! Thank you for the recipe!
Wendi
Thanks so much for the delicious recipe! I had my heart set on hummus and didn't have fresh tahini. I searched for an alternative and came across your recipe. It's delicious and less fat than hummus, so it's a recipe I'll be using on the regular!
Dara
I'm so glad to hear you loved it, Wendi!
Nick Pelliccio
How long can this dip be kept for in the fridge?
Dara
It should last for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container.
Richard
I would never have thought to put these flavors together but wow this sounds good!
Vicky
Absolutely love this black bean dip. It is now my favorite black bean dip. Thanks for such a wonderful and easy recipe...
Annette spencer
Love the black bean dip delicious thank you for the recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
deepikaS
Absolutely delish! It disappeared in not time, I added 1 tbsp. sour cream as well. Topped with shredded cheese and put under the broiler for 2-3 mins and topped with diced tomato. Used all organic ingredients as well as the Quinoa Chia Seed Organic Chips from Costco. Sooo good...
Natalie
Stumbled across this yesterday and I made this dip with dinner tonight. My husband and I agreed we will be having this weekly! It’s sooo easy and sooo delicious! I did mine with different snacks instead of other crackers and it was perfect! Thank you for this recipe!!!
Debbi
This was fantastic! I'm never buying bean dip again - this was so easy, and so yummy!!! Thank you for this recipe!
Dara
I love hearing that! Thank you for commenting, Debbi.
Phoenix Cooks
Great recipe! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family liked it.
Pepa
It was so yummy. It was very hard to stop eating it!! Thank you!!!
Dara
I know the feeling. It's one of my favorite afternoon snacks.
Ginny
Sounds great. Going to make it but cut the recipe in half,since it's just me.
Rose
Hi, I don’t know if you’ve had Mad Mexican black bean dip, but it’s my favourite...or rather WAS my favourite until I stumbled onto this recipe! The Mad Mexican stuff is delicious, but expensive, and I was looking for a knock off recipe. I made your dip and it’s almost exactly like it!! At first I thought 4 cloves of garlic sounded like a bit much, so I used only 3. You were right, though, and I ended up tossing another clove into the mix. I did find I had to use more salt, lime, and coriander than specified, and I also added a few pieces of diced jalapeno and some chipotle hot sauce. But wow, a really, really delicious dip and my new go-to. Thank you!!