White Bean Dip with Fresh Herbs Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Spring

by: Gena Hamshaw

June7,2021

4

18 Ratings

  • Serves 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

The perfect celebration of fresh herbs, this dip is wonderful with crostini, pita, radish slices, or even wrapped up in kale or romaine leaves. Serve with an extra drizzle of nice, fruity olive oil. —Gena Hamshaw

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 2 cupscooked white beans
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided into 1 tablespoon and 3 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoonchopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoonsfresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoonsea salt (or to taste)
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoonsfresh parsley
Directions
  1. In a medium-sized pan, heat the garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook for two minutes, and then add the white beans, rosemary, and thyme. Sautee for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until garlic is soft and fragrant.
  2. Transfer the beans to a food processor. Add the salt, pepper, lemon, and remaining olive oil. Process on high, stopping every now and then to scrape the bowl down, until mixture is totally creamy and smooth.
  3. Pulse in the fresh parsley. Serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Tags:

  • Condiment/Spread
  • Bean
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Spring
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Appetizer
  • Side
  • Snack

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Melissa Y

  • Ryan Jette

  • Cheryl

  • Shirlee Mina

  • Taylor Stanton

Popular on Food52

23 Reviews

Melissa Y. March 25, 2023

So easy and a great addition to a charcuterie plate! If using canned beans, I highly recommend omitting the salt until after processing. Even with a low-sodium brand of beans, it ended up being pretty salty with the full tsp.

Ryan J. October 19, 2019

I made this recipe with fresh herbs and added some fresh grated Parmesan cheese and an entire roasted garlic bulb and it came out excellent. The garlic and cheese really added a lot of flavor.

Maureen M. July 1, 2018

I had 4 cups of white beans cooked from another recipe. So I doubled the recipe and instead of using all the olive oil used some of the bean water with fresh herbs from the garden. Far exceeded my expectations. Delish!

beejay45 December 24, 2017

Not sure why, but I see this on a veggie sandwich with Swiss cheese! I'm not even a Swiss cheese lover, but this dish just made me think of it...thanks for the great and evocative recipe!

Cheryl October 25, 2016

Delicious! Suggest like others to cut salt in half and then taste.

Shirlee M. February 6, 2016

I just made this tonight ..... it's amazing!!! So healthy and delicious !! Wow!

Taylor S. January 20, 2016

Really delicious! I did a more "mashed" consistency and left it quite chunky. It's awesome on sweet potatoes, with carrots, as part of a sandwich, or just by itself!

Is this served cold or warm?

Lourdes July 22, 2015

how long would this keep in the fridge after making?

Kayla March 31, 2015

This is *insanely* good. I got away with canned beans & dried thyme/rosemary and it's still disappearing faster than I can make it! Now I must hunt for some good bread...

saramarsh July 22, 2015

How many cans of white beans? And were they Great Northern or Cannellini?
Thanks in advance!

Regine February 21, 2015

Really good. But next time I may cut the salt to half and then increase amount after tasting it. Easy to make and very tasty.

L K. January 28, 2015

Tried this recipe to dupe Felidia's NYC delishious cannellini spread. She drizzles pesto over hers garnished with a few whole beans, so making this I left out the rosemary and used a smidge of freshly dried Italian parsley. Topped with the pesto it is divine! just like Lydia Bastianich serves in a small round shallow old word dish.

CA D. December 26, 2014

I made this for an open house style Christmas this year so our vegan friends would have a snack to nosh on-it was a big hit! I could have made a double batch and still not had enough! Thanks!

laurenlocally December 13, 2013

If you were serving this on a crostini (like I am tonight!), would you heat up the dip with the toast or just smear it on warm, crusty bread?

Regine November 28, 2013

Yummy I must make this. But I may buy canned white beans and rinse them several times prior to using, rather than boiling them myself.

MamaCanela June 27, 2013

I did not have any fresh rosemary so I used dry. Fresh parsley and lemon thyme from my garden. No lemon so I used lime. Nice healthy snack with jicama sticks.

Chris N. April 26, 2013

I made this recipe after work. I bought the herbs at the farmer's market for $1/bunch, organic! The beans were soaked overnight and cooked for close to an hour. The final product looked just like the picture above and it was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

Frances P. April 18, 2013

Looks great but can you add garlic raw to save on time? Thanks

KristiW April 18, 2013

Frances, I've used a similar recipe but without heating it up first and it turns out great. Cannellini beans, evoo, lemon juice, salt. I also use a little curry powder and pinch of cayenne for variety. I am interested to see how much more infused the flavors are with this recipe.

Gena H. April 18, 2013

Definitely! As Kristi says, you can simply process all of the ingredients.

Amber S. November 26, 2016

I wouldn't add garlic raw unless you intend to cook something later. Raw garlic has a totally different flavor than cooked. But you could use garlic powder if you don't have time to cook ahhh

beejay45 December 24, 2017

Some of us love our raw garlic! ;) For me, the gentler cooked/roasted version is nauseating. Not sure what the cooking does, but it brings out something I can't tolerate. Fortunately, I have friends and family who also love the bite of raw garlic. It's all good.

White Bean Dip with Fresh Herbs Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is white bean dip made of? ›

In a food processor, pulse the cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, salt, and pepper until combined. With the food processor running, slowly add the water and process until smooth. Blend in the fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with veggies or pita.

What does bean dip mean slang? ›

What the heck does 'bean dip' mean? Urban Dictionary defines "bean dip" as "(flicking) a woman's (or man's) breast with the index finger." It's "dubbed 'bean dip' because the move is similar to that of scooping up bean dip," the website reads.

Can I freeze bean dip? ›

Store: Bean Dip should be sealed in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days. Freeze: This dip can definitely be frozen, just wrap tightly and freeze for 2-3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator a few hours before you're ready to serve, or heat it up on the stove or in the microwave and stir before serving.

What is the creamiest white bean? ›

Baby Lima Beans. Also called “butterbeans”, Baby Lima beans are small, smooth, and creamy with a rich, buttery texture. They're starchier than other beans and are often used in soups, stews, succotash, and casseroles, or just cooked simply with herbs and spices.

What's the difference between refried beans and bean dip? ›

Bean dip is made of cooked (in water) beans which are mashed/pureed but not cooked any further. Refried beans are cooked in water, mashed, and then sauteed in some cooking fat, traditionally lard but now usually oil. Of course you could let them cool and use them for a bean dip.

What is a dip slang girl? ›

Urban Dictionary's definition of “dip” is to leave abruptly; to get the hell out of somewhere. Instagram.

What is a bean dog slang? ›

HOWEVER, not because she called your dog a small bean. Different age groups have different slang, and this is simply that. Basically, she's saying your dog is cute, and innocent.

What is beans in British slang? ›

The answer: usually in the negative referring to money 'I haven't. got a bean'.

Is bean dip just refried beans? ›

While refried beans usually resemble a chunky, mashed mixture perfect for spreading on tortillas or serving alongside warm rice, bean dip can be made with whole beans with a fresh appeal similar to classic pico de gallo or puréed into a smooth consistency with several different ingredients.

What chips go good with bean dip? ›

Serve it warm with tortilla chips for a delicious party appetizer or game day snack. This bean dip recipe is the ultimate party appetizer! It's creamy, it's cheesy, and it's perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. Just make sure to hit up the snack table right after it comes out of the oven.

Can bean dip go bad? ›

The date printed on the container is an “unopened” date - meaning the dip will stay fresh if unopened until that date. Once the dip container has been opened, we recommend consuming the dip within about 10-14 days for optimum flavor and freshness and follow the “refrigerate after opening” instructions on the label.

What kind of bean is a white bean? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

What is white bean hummus made of? ›

Creamy White Bean Hummus, Mediterranean Style

The creamiest hummus made from white beans, with delicious Mediterranean toppings! Use a food processor to puree the beans, olive oil, tahini, and lemon juice. Top with fresh herbs and pine nuts.

Are white beans cannellini or butter beans? ›

White beans are a family of beans, including Cannellini, navy, Great Northern, and butter beans. Although each variety is wonderfully versatile, they do have unique qualities. Cannellini beans are large and firm, so they hold up well in low and slow recipes like stews.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5928

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.