Are you looking for a quick and easy dip to change up your regular party crudités platter? You’re going to love this creamy homemade white bean dip. This dip is perfect for serving with pita chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables, which means it’s a hit with just about everyone.
Best of all, it can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes, which means it’s the perfect appetizer for last minute get togethers, busy weeknights, or anytime you need a little something extra to snack on.
Why We Love Homemade White Bean Dip
- White bean dip is similar to classic hummus, but with a bit more zip to it, thanks to plenty of fresh herbs and garlic.
- It’s smooth and creamy, but not runny, which makes it a fantastic addition for parties and crudites platters.
- With only a few simple ingredients, the dip comes together in minutes…easy peasy!
- This dip has no dairy or meat, which makes it a tasty option for vegetarian and vegan party guests.
- You can even use the dip as a spread on sandwiches, baguettes, and wraps as a flavorful alternative to mayonnaise or mustard.
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- Cannelini beans
- Garlic, peeled
- Sage leaves
- Lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Ground pepper
Supplies:
Step-by-Step Directions:
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Add cannellini beans, garlic, lemon juice, sage leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl of a food processor or blender.
Puree the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Adjust sage, salt, and pepper to taste.
Transfer the bean dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with a drizzle of high quality extra virgin olive oil, and serve with pita chips, crackers, and/or fresh vegetables.
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before starting to avoid any potential mistakes.
- Start small with the sage. It has a pretty strong flavor, so you may find that 2 large leaves are enough.
- For an extra kick, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top of your dip.
- I prefer fresh lemon juice for this recipe (this juicer makes it so easy!) But if you only have bottled lemon juice, that’s just fine.
- If you find the dip a bit too thick for your taste, you can blend in a bit more olive oil or a splash of water.
Want to avoid spending hours on end preparing food for your party? Click here to download 10 Fast and Easy Party Recipes that don’t take more than 20 minutes of your time to prepare.
Substitutions and Adaptations:
- Beans – You can also substitute other white beans-like great northern, or garbanzo beans
- Garlic – I wouldn’t leave the garlic out of this recipe, but roasted garlic would add a smooth, slightly sweet flavor.
- Herbs – Try substituting or adding other herbs for a fun twist. Rosemary, oregano, thyme, tarragon, parsley, or even herbs de Provence would all be tasty.
- Olive oil – Experiment with infused olive oil for even more interesting flavor combinations. (Chili infused oil would be a fun way to add a kick!)
FAQs:
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make it one or two days in advance, wrap it tightly, and keep it refrigerated. Allow the dip to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then garnish just before serving.
How much should I make for a party?
This recipe yields about 1 cup of dip – which is 6 generously sized servings.
If you want to figure out how much dip you need for your party, you’ll want to download our free cheat sheet. It shows exactly how much food you need to for everything from ice and drinks all the way to finding the perfect size birthday cake.
Grab your copy at the end of this post and you’ll always be prepared.
What should I with white bean dip?
Serve this dip with any of the following:
- Crackers (water crackers, butter crackers, even herbed crackers!)
- Thinly sliced baguette
- Cocktail rye
- Pita wedges or chips
- Carrot slices
- Cucumbers
- Bell pepper strips
- Celery
- Sugar snap peas
Don’t forget to add it as a spread for a sandwich bar. Yum!
Add a Label to Your Buffet
Make sure your guests know exactly what to expect when they see this tasty dip on your buffet table. Find a cute, editable table tent card that matches your party theme, and then make sure to label everything you’re serving.
How to Store White Bean Dip
Store your bean dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
When ready to enjoy, bring it to room temperature for at least 30 minutes and stir well. You may need to stir in a tiny bit of olive oil if the dip has thickened in the refrigerator.
If you liked my creamy white bean dip, you’re going to love my Chicken Pesto Sliders. They’re the tastiest little sandwiches that are easy to prepare in advance, and are then baked in the oven until hot for parties or even quick weeknight meals.
Or you can check out my other appetizer recipes here.
Creamy Homemade White Bean Dip
Creamy white bean dip is easy to make and packed with flavor. Serve with crackers, chips, or vegetables for a delicious appetizer your guests will love.
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
- 2-3 fresh sage leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon high-quality extra virgin olive oil, for serving
Instructions
- Add one 15 ounce can of cannellini beans, 3 cloves fresh garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2-3 fresh sage leaves, 1/3 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl of a food processor or blender.
- Puree the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the bean dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with a drizzle of high quality extra virgin olive oil, and serve with pita chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- Start small with the sage. It has a pretty strong flavor, so you may find that 2 large leaves are enough.
- For an extra kick, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top of your dip.
- I prefer fresh lemon juice for this recipe (this juicer makes it so easy!) But if you only have bottled lemon juice, that's just fine.
- If you find the dip a bit too thick for your taste, you can blend in a bit more olive oil or a splash of water.
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