Get the party started and your taste buds dancing with this savory, smoky, and tangy Creamy Black Bean Dip that comes together in less than ten minutes. Combining easy pantry staples like canned beans with a few simple spices and fresh accents, you’ll be getting your snack on in no time.

Can we all agree that chips and dip are a food group unto themselves? Whether you’re double dipping into blue cheese bacon dip or this lusciously creamy black bean dip it’s always a total fiesta for the senses. This easy black bean dip is not only big on flavor, but it’s perfect for any last-minute occasion where you need to serve up something delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe

- Customizable – This black bean dip recipe can be served up three different wants, chilled, making it ideal for any backyard party, or better yet at the beach with cold cervezas, warmed on the stove, or molten, bubbly, and decadent with a crown of melted cheese. You can make this ahead and enjoy it chilled and then bake up the leftovers giving it new life.
- Simple Ingredients – This easy black bean dip combines pantry staples you probably already have like black beans, salsa, and chipotle in adobo with a few simple fresh accents like cilantro and lime. Not only is this easy to make but it’s also incredibly budget friendly.
- Easy Process – Unless you decide to bake this for a warm black bean dip, there is zero cooking required. Everything gets added to the food processor and blitzed until it’s creamy and dreamy. Anyone can make this.
Ingredients

- Black Beans – You’ll need two cans of whole black beans for this recipe. Make sure they’re just black beans and not labeled as black bean soup as they will contain additional spices.
- Salsa – If you have homemade salsa like roasted habanero tomato salsa, use it. This adds incredible depth of flavor without having to sauté up any vegetables. You’re favorite store-bought salsa will also work, just pick a high-quality salsa for the best flavor.
- Greek Yogurt/Sour Cream – This not only adds creaminess to the black bean dip, but it also adds tang. Either one will work.
- Spices – Chili powder has a little bit of everything in it from fragrant Mexican oregano to savory onion and garlic powder. Cumin gives an earthy note that pairs well with the natural flavor of black beans.
- Chipotle in Adobo – This gives the easy creamy black bean dip a hint of smokiness and spice. Start with one, and then add an additional one if you crave a little more kick. The heat of your salsa will also be a good guide on how many to add.
- Cilantro – Aromatic, bright, and a little citrusy, this adds freshness to every bite.
- Limes – Limes and black beans just belong together. Fresh lime juice makes this extra tangy and bright.
How to Make Creamy Black Bean Dip
- Drain and rinse your black beans. Let them dry while you roughly chop the cilantro.
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until creamy. Start with just one tablespoon of lime juice as you may not need to add more depending on the salsa you use.
- Taste the creamy bean dip and adjust seasoning and lime as needed. If you want it a little spicier add an additional chipotle.


- Let chill. You can totally serve this immediately, but for the best flavor and also texture allow it to chill for an hour. It will thicken up slightly and the flavors will marry.
- Top it off. Add your favorite toppings like crumbled cotija or queso fresco, pico de gallo, shaved radishes, extra cilantro, fresh or pickled jalapenos, or a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema.
How to Make Warm Black Bean Dip

- Preheat the oven or grill to 350 degrees. Follow the directions above for creamy black bean dip.
- Shred your cheese. Any melty cheese will work for this from pepper jack or Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheeses like Chihuahua or Oaxaca.
- Assemble the dip. Spread the creamy black bean dip into an oven or grill safe skillet or casserole. Top with the shredded cheese.
- Bake until warmed through and bubbly. It’ll take about 15 minutes. If doing this on the grill bake indirect for about 15-20 minutes.
How to Serve Easy Black Bean Dip
- Have fun with your toppings! The dip itself is incredibly creamy and soft so contrasting textures give a nice accent. For a full fiesta you can even create a topping bar and allow people to make their own creations. Even proteins like grilled carne asada or crumbled chorizo would be yummy on top of this.
- Tortilla chips are the natural dipping choice, but you could also serve this with charred tortillas or crispy tostada shells. The chilled version is also good with your favorite crudites for a healthy and low carb option.
- If you decide to serve this as baked black bean dip it also makes a great side dish.
Storage
- Creamy black bean dip is great for meal prep as it comes together quickly and stores well. It can be portioned out into individual containers and be served with your favorite veggie dippers.
- Keep stored in an airtight container and this dip will last for 5-7 days.
- If you bake the dip, allow it to cool before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It will last up to five days in the refrigerator. To reheat it place it back in the oven on a lower setting of 325 and bake until the cheese has remelted, about 15 minutes.
- Because of the dairy in this bean dip it’s not recommended to freeze as the texture will become slightly grainy.
Tips From the Beach

- Taste your dip after all of the ingredients have been blended. It doesn’t call for any salt as they is already salt in the salsa, sour cream, and chili powder. However, you may way to add a pinch at the end.
- If you have homemade black beans feel free to use them for this recipe. Make sure they’re well drained and that they’re tender. Canned beans have a slightly softer texture that work well for blending.
- If you’re using a thicker salsa you might want to add a splash of water thin the dip out just a little
- Salsa brings bold flavor to this dip. Make sure that you’re using a high quality salsa, or homemade. You can even use pico de gallo for a fresh flavor, just make sure its well drained before adding it so the dip isn’t too runny.
- This dip can be made dairy free by leaving out the Greek yogurt/sour cream. However, you will want to cut the salsa in half and add an additional squeeze of lime juice.
Creamy Black Bean Dip
Get the party started and your taste buds dancing with this savory, smoky, and tangy Creamy Black Bean Dip that comes together in less than ten minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Creamy Black Bean Dip
- 2 15 to 15.5 ounces whole black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1–2 chipotle in adobo
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1–2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/3 cup cilantro roughly chopped
Warm Black Bean Dip
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
Creamy Black Bean Dip
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor, starting with just 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1 chipotle in adobo.
- Pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Add the additional lime juice or chipotle and a pinch of salt if required.
- Serve immediately, or for the best flavor and texture allow to chill for an hour.
- Top it off with your favorite toppings.
Warm Black Bean Dip
- Preheat the oven or grill to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the black bean dip as directed above.
- Spread the creamy black bean dip into an oven/grill safe skillet or casserole dish. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the dip is warmed through and the cheese is melted.
- Top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Depending on the flavor of your salsa, you may not need to add the additional lime juice or any salt to this dip.
- Homemade black beans will also work in this recipe. Just make sure they’re well drained and tender. Canned black beans tend to be a little softer which make them perfect for blending.
- This dip can be made dairy free by leaving out the Greek yogurt/sour cream. However, cut the salsa back to 1/2 cup. You may want to add an additional squeeze of lime juice for the tang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use refried beans for black bean dip?
Most refried beans have additional spices in them that will change the final flavor of this dish. In addition, whole beans that have been blended will give the best texture.
Is creamy black bean dip spicy?
You are in control of the spice level of this black bean dip. It all depends on the spice level of your salsa as well as how many chipotles you use. If you use a mild salsa and one chipotle it’s just mildly spicy.