White Bean Dip (Three Easy Variations)

Published: Dec 16, 2019 · Modified: Apr 11, 2026 by Leanne

White Bean Dip is a quick and easy appetizer that requires just a few ingredients and five minutes prep time! It's thick and creamy, and with three different variations included in the recipe, there's something for everyone at your holiday or game day party!

This post is sponsored by Dominion as part of the #foodloversunite campaign. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Crumb Top Baking possible.

Overhead view of three white bean dips arranged in a tray with crackers and veggies.

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Table of Contents

Holiday Entertaining
White Bean Dip - A Quick and Easy Appetizer
Why you'll love these dips
Ingredients
How to make this dip three ways!
FAQs
Tips and substitutions
Tips for each dip variation
More easy appetizer dips
📖 Recipe

Holiday Entertaining

It's a little over a week until Christmas! How did that happen? This year flew by quicker than any other for me, and now we're just a few days away from the most wonderful time of the year.

Are you ready?

If you find yourself running short on time this holiday season, don't worry. I'm right there with you. That's why this year I'm committed to making life a little easier in the entertaining department.

One of the ways I'm doing this is by relying on my local Dominion store to have everything I need for holiday meals and last minute entertaining.

By picking up ready-made platters and ingredients for easy to assemble dishes, I'm planning to free up time to spend with family and friends. That's because being able to enjoy cooking and eating together is what the holidays are all about. It's also what being a food lover is all about, and Dominion is committed to uniting food lovers!

White Bean Dip - A Quick and Easy Appetizer

The holidays are truly appetizer season. While I usually have main meals and desserts well in hand, I sometimes struggle with appetizers. They really set the tone for your gathering, so they need to be delicious, plus they need to please even the pickiest of eaters.

From the hostess perspective, they not only need to be quick and easy, but also impressive. Nobody needs to know that it took you just mere minutes to whip up an amazing appetizer.

And that's where this White Bean Dip comes into play. It's quick and easy, and with three different recipe variations to choose from, there's something for everyone:

Lemon Rosemary
Jalapeño Lime
Garlic Herb

Collage of grocery items for the bean dip.

Why you'll love these dips

Variety: As long as you have your base of white beans, garlic and oil, you can change up the add ins to suit different tastes.
Quick: You just add all the ingredients to a food processor and it's ready in less than five minutes. You could make all three dip variations in less than 20 minutes.
Simple: You only need five ingredients plus salt and pepper for each dip.
Affordable: This dip uses inexpensive ingredients, which you can easily keep stocked in your pantry and fridge during the holiday season.
Versatile: Aside from a dip, it's great as a sandwich and burger spread or as a topper for salads and grain bowls.

Up-close view of garlic herb white bean dip in a white bowl and topped with oil and granola. — Garlic Herb White Bean Dip

Ingredients

For the base

White kidney beans (or cannellini beans)
Extra virgin olive oil
Garlic
Salt and pepper

Lemon rosemary variation

Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Fresh rosemary

Jalapeño lime variation

Freshly squeezed lime juice
Jalapeño pepper

Garlic herb variation

White wine vinegar
Herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning
Additional garlic

Collage of 3 photos showing ingredients to make each white bean dip.

How to make this dip three ways!

First, you'll need to drain and rinse your beans.
Next, add the beans to your food processor, along with the oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Process on high until a thick paste forms. This is your base.
Add in the ingredients for the variation you're making and process on high until creamy. (You may need to stop a few times to scrape down the sides).
Scoop into a bowl and serve with veggies, crackers or bread, or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. That's it!

Collage of 2 photos showing white bean dip coming together in the food processor.

FAQs

How do you serve white bean dip? All three white bean dips can be served hot or cold, and pair well with veggies, chips, crackers, bread and pretzels. You can also use them as a sandwich or burger spread and as a topping for salads or grain bowls.
How do you warm white bean dip? If you'd like to serve these dips warm, just place them in an oven safe dish and bake on 350F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Serve immediately.
How do you store white bean dip? These white bean dips should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long will white bean dip last? If stored properly, these dips should last for 3-4 days.

Up-close view of jalapeño lime white bean dip in a black bowl. — Jalapeño Lime White Bean Dip

Tips and substitutions

While the cold dip will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, once baked, the dip should be enjoyed right away. It loses some of its creamy texture once it's baked and cooled, so I don't recommend keeping leftover dip that has been warmed.
I like to use no salt added beans in these recipes so I can better control the salt content. If you're using beans with added salt, you may wish to reduce the amount of salt you add to the dips.
Feel free to season these dips to suite your own taste. For instance, if you like your dips more salty, peppery or garlicky, just add more. The same goes for the other ingredients like herbs, jalapeño and lemon. Add more or less to suite your taste.
Both the lemon rosemary and jalapeño lime dips are naturally dairy-free and vegan. To ensure the garlic herb dip is as well, make sure you're using a vegan white wine vinegar.

Tips for each dip variation

Lemon rosemary: I recommend fresh rosemary, but if you only have dried, make sure you only use a teaspoon. (Dried herbs are more potent than fresh).
Jalapeño lime: If you like your dip with extra heat, use the jalapeño with the seeds.
Garlic herb: The recipe calls for herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning, whatever you have on hand. I've used and enjoyed both. They each add a different herby flavour.

Overhead view of lemon rosemary white bean dip in a black bowl. — Lemon Rosemary White Bean Dip

More easy appetizer dips

Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Dip is dairy-free, vegan and ultra-creamy, with a cashew base and roasted red peppers. Pair it with some veggies and pretzels for a healthier holiday or game day snack.
Cilantro Edamame Jalapeño Hummus is the most flavourful hummus with edamame and cilantro, a hint of lemon and jalapeño pepper, and the usual suspects of tahini, olive oil and garlic.
Creamy Onion Herb Cashew Dip is dairy-free and vegan but has all the flavour of a classic onion and herb dip. It's great for snacking or to add to a holiday charcuterie board!
Mushroom Spinach Dip is thick and creamy with sautéed mushrooms, onions and spinach, lots of garlic and a hint of rosemary. It's dairy-free and vegan and perfect for game day or a holiday party!

If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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📖 Recipe

More Appetizers

Comments

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