Garlicky Bean Dip
There’s nothing more fun than having a tasty dip as an appetizer for a party, and as a host, you’re always looking for quick and easy recipes to serve guests, without compromising on flavor. This garlicky bean dip is fresh and delicious and comes together in just 10 minutes, making it the perfect appetizer recipe to keep on hand for any occasion. The bright lemon juice, rich olive oil, and zesty garlic all come together with the white beans to create a creamy, flavorful dip that goes well with anything from pita crisps to fresh veggies for dipping.
What to serve with garlicky bean dip? This garlicky bean dip tip truly goes well with (and on) anything, from sandwiches to crudité veggie dippers, you’ll be satisfied no matter where you use this dip. Some of my favorite ways to serve this dip are:
Alongside a tray of beautiful vegetables such as sliced sweet red peppers, carrots, and sugar snap peas
Slathered on a soft pita full of fresh Mediterranean grilled chicken
Scooped with homemade rosemary crackers, the perfect accompaniment to the garlicky flavor of this dip
How long is garlicky bean dip good for? I recommend making this garlicky bean dip fresh whenever you’re ready to serve it to maximize the freshness of all of the flavors. If you have any leftover dip (even though it’s extremely unlikely), I recommend eating it within 24 hours.
Why do you have to drain and rinse canned beans? All beans are canned in a liquid that has a slimy, watery texture, something we want to avoid from adding to this bean dip. I recommend rinsing the beans as well as draining them to make sure you remove as much of this slippery liquid as possible. Any excess liquid added to this garlicky bean recipe is undesirable because it can throw off the flavor and texture of the final product.
Can you make garlicky bean dip in advance? You can make this garlicky bean dip recipe up to 24 hours in advance. I don’t recommend making it longer than that for a couple of reasons.
The garlic flavor of this dip will intensify the longer it sits in the fridge, potentially throwing off the balance of the dip if it’s made too far in advance.
The recipe comes together so quickly, that it’s not much of a time saver to prepare this garlicky bean dip in advance.
What’s the difference between hummus and this bean dip? This garlicky bean dip is very similar to homemade hummus, the main difference is that this recipe does not include tahini, which is sesame paste. Tahini adds a nuttiness to hummus, and instead of adding that flavor to this dip, I wanted to focus on the zestiness of the fresh citrus and the savory, aromatic flavor of the garlic.
Can I use any other canned beans in this recipe? Yes, this garlicky bean dip is a versatile recipe that can be made with other kinds of beans you might have on hand. Some of my favorite substitutions are chickpeas, pinto beans, or black beans. If you choose to make this dip with black beans, you’ll still have a wonderful texture and flavor of the dip, just be aware that the color will vary significantly from this original version.
How to make garlicky bean dip:
Garlicky Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 1 can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 medium garlic cloves
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional - top with olive oil and fresh herbs such as dill or parsley
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine white beans, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.
- Blend until smooth, adding ice water to thin if necessary.
- Season generously with salt and pepper, and serve with your favorite accompaniments.
Notes
Tip - for an even smoother dip, smash the garlic cloves before you add them to the food processor.
