This white bean dip makes a delicious party appetizer, served with fresh cut veggies or pita bread. It’s super quick to make and you’ll need just a few simple ingredients.
The Best White Bean Dip Recipe
I first shared this white bean dip recipe way back in 2015, and ever since then it’s been one of my favorite snacks to prep for the week. It’s creamy and flavorful, made with canned beans, lemon and garlic. I love to make this dip with cannellini beans because they blend up nice and creamy, and their mild, buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the olive oil, garlic and lemon in this recipe.
This white bean dip is made with simple ingredients that you likely keep on hand in your kitchen. It’s a great recipe to keep in your collection for those times when you have unexpected guests and need something quick to whip up to snack on!
Ingredient Notes
- Cannellini Beans: Cannellini beans work best in this recipe. You’ll need one 15-ounce can. Be sure to rinse and drain them well.
- Garlic: Since we’re using raw garlic, we add just a little. Use one small clove or half a clove if you’re sensitive.
- Olive Oil: Gives the dip a smooth, silky texture and rich flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the flavors! Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Salt: I use low sodium or no salt added beans when I make this white bean dip. If your beans are more heavily salted, consider reducing the added salt in the recipe.
- Cayenne Pepper: Just a pinch adds mild heat. Feel free to omit if you don’t want any spice.
- Black Pepper: Add a little freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Find the printable recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
How to Make White Bean Dip
Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Then taste and adjust the flavors if needed. I sometimes add just a bit more lemon juice. If the dip is too thick, blend in 1 tablespoon of water or olive oil.
Serving Ideas
There are lots of ways to enjoy this white bean dip! Here are my favorites:
- Serve it with a variety of fresh cut veggies. Try carrot sticks, bell pepper slices, sliced cucumber, sliced radishes, raw broccoli florets, sugar snap peas or fresh cherry tomatoes.
- With something crunchy. It’s great with pita chips, crackers or pretzels.
- With pita. Cut pita bread into triangles and use them to scoop up the dip.
- On toast. Use a hearty bread like sourdough, slice it thick, and toast it. Then spread on white bean dip and sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning or flaky sea salt. Bonus idea: add a few slices of avocado.
- Use it as a sandwich spread. It’s amazing in this Veggie Wrap!
- I like to add a spoonful to my Greek Chicken Bowls.
Recipe Variations
- Sometimes I double this recipe and use one can of cannellini beans and one can of chickpeas. Using half chickpeas gives this dip a thicker, more hummus-like texture. Keep in mind that you may have to blend in a tablespoon or two of water (or a bit of extra olive oil) if using chickpeas, since they have a thicker texture.
- Blend in about 1/2 cup of Roasted Red Peppers to add natural sweetness and a subtle smoky flavor to the dip.
- Swap the raw garlic for 4-5 cloves of Roasted Garlic for a mellower, sweeter garlic flavor.
- Add a little fresh rosemary for a Tuscan-style dip or fresh dill for Mediterranean flavor.
Did you make this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Best White Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, or other white beans
- 1 small clove garlic, or ½ small clove if you're sensitive to garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. If it's too thick, blend in 1 tablespoon of water (or olive oil) to reach your desired consistency.15 ounce can cannellini beans, 1 small clove garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, pinch of cayenne pepper, black pepper
Notes
- Storage: This dip can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Sometimes I double this recipe and use one can of cannellini beans and one can of chickpeas. Using half chickpeas gives this dip a thicker, more hummus-like texture. Keep in mind that you may have to blend in a tablespoon or two of water (or a bit of extra olive oil) if using chickpeas, since they have a thicker texture.
- You can blend in about 1/2 cup of Roasted Red Peppers to add natural sweetness and a subtle smoky flavor to the dip.
- You can swap the raw garlic for 4-5 cloves of Roasted Garlic for a mellower, sweeter garlic flavor.
I originally shared this recipe in November 2015. Post updated February 2019 and November 2025 with new photos and more helpful information.
Kristine, I love this easy and healthy bean dip! what a great snack and can’t wait to try this! I think my kids would love this too!
Thank you, Alice! I hope your kids do like this dip!
I need to bookmark some of your healthy snack ideas, Kristine! It’s the one meal I keep forgetting about, which is why we tend to be in an apple-slices-banana-trail-mix kind of rut. I’ll definitely be making this yummy white bean dip soon!
I love how you call snacks a meal, because for us they totally are!
This is how I love to snack! Bean dips are so healthy and satisfying, and my kids even love them. This looks delicious!
Thank you, Marcie!
This dip looks fantastic, Kristine! I’ve never made a bean dip before, but I sure do love eating it. I love how easy this is to whip up, too!
Thank you, Gayle!
Love that this is such a healthy and easy snack! I am quite a snacker myself, so I can appreciate this 🙂
Thanks, Meghan! It’s good to meet a fellow snacker! 😉
I am a huge dip girl. I could make a whole meal out of this! Just gorgeous.
Thanks, Natalie! We often do just that!
Love how easy this is and how you only need a few ingredients. Looks like an awesome dip for veggies and toasted pita! Yum!
Thanks, Kelley! Recipes with just a few ingredients are my favorites, too!
I want you to know this saved me today!! We were out of town this weekend and just an hour or so after we got back today some friends dropped by and totally surprised me, and I had NOTHING for them to eat! I remembered this and whipped it up in literally a minute! It was wonderful!!! We will make this often! 🙂
YAY!!! I’m so glad that you liked this dip, Annie! Getting surprise guests is wonderful AND stressful all at the same time, isn’t it?!
Hahah I’m always hungry too and this dip looks like the perfect snack!! Love how easy it is.
Thanks, Rachel!
Yum! Love this dip. I love how simple it is, yet I’m sure it’s sooo flavorful with the garlic and lemon. Delish!
Thank you, Jess! Yes, this one has lots of flavor!
Can I use a blender? I don’t have a food processor and my blender isn’t the best, but its all I have!
Hi Beth! I think a blender would work. I hope you enjoy this recipe! It’s one of our favorites!
HI there
If you were to serve this with crackers or chips, what kind would you use?
I would use pita chips or any favorite cracker. Enjoy!
Can this dip be frozen? I cook for one and don’t think I could eat it all in 3 days.
That is a good question! I haven’t tried freezing this, but I just did a quick Google search and you can freeze hummus so you should be able to freeze this dip. I would freeze it in individual portions.
Great easy recipe! I used a little extra garlic and olive oil and added some fresh parsley. I’ve made white bean dip before but my husband said this is the best yet.
This recipe is easy and delicious anded roasted red pepper
I added some fresh dill. This is delightful!
Absolutely amazing! I took it to my parent’s house for my mom’s birthday and she loved it! It is smooth, creamy, and the lemon and thyme make it taste so good. Would totally suggest eating with crackers or pita chips, and it is a great party appetizer.
It is crazy easy and super GOOD! Taste great with tortilla chips