White Bean Dip
56 Comments
Updated Sep 04, 2024
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Switch up your dip routine with this super easy white bean dip! It’s creamy, flavorful and a crowd-pleasing appetizer served alongside raw veggies or crackers.
Who knew that white beans could blend up into a dip this good? I’ll admit, this might compete against my all-time favorite hummus recipe. But it has a lighter, more herby vibe that makes it the perfect dip for sunny days and entertaining.
The white beans form the bulk of this recipe, but it’s the lemon juice, garlic, and thyme that make it so good (just like in these marinated white beans). Plus, I love how it only takes a few minutes to whip up. So if you need a super quick appetizer or a bright addition to your meal – this white bean dip ticks all the boxes!
White Bean Dip Ingredients
The combination of these five simple ingredients is pure magic.
- White Beans: Cannellini, great northern, or navy beans will work.
- Olive Oil: Gives this dip an added rich texture.
- Lemon Juice And Zest: Fresh lemon juice is much better than those store-bought jars for bright flavor!
- Garlic: Just one clove is needed, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic lover like me!
- Thyme: A generous dose for herb goodness.
Fun fact: Did you know that white bean dip has more protein per serving than hummus? Yep, it’s true!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make A White Bean Dip
I’m using canned cannellini beans for convenience, but feel free to use cooked beans if that’s what you have on hand. Just remember one can of beans equals 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans.
Otherwise, all you need to do is toss everything into a food processor and blend until it’s silky smooth. See – super easy!
Pro tip: if you don’t have a food processor, a high powered blender will work just fine. Just make sure to scrape down the sides down as you blend.
Ways To Use This White Bean Dip
Let this recipe shine by making it the star of a crudite platter! But if you’re whipping up a batch for yourself, here’s a few other ways to make the most of it.
- The perfect healthy snack: This tastes amazing with slices of cucumber, red bell peppers, carrots, and of course my flaxseed crackers.
- Creamy sandwich spread: Spread this onto falafel flatbread or gluten-free toast for a bright, creamy touch to your sandwich.
- Add to a buddha bowl: Dollop a spoonful on your next bowl for a protein boost!
Storage Options
Just like many of my other dips, this recipe will stay good for 3-4 days in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in a sealed container. And to give it some life the next day, mix it well with a spoon and drizzle some olive oil on top. It’ll be as fresh as can be!
More Delicious, Creamy Dips
I adore creamy dips! They’re a great motivator to break out the veggies to snack on. So here’s a few delicious ideas to switch it up.
- Baba Ganoush: Got eggplants? Roast them up into this creamy, smoky dip.
- Tzatziki: Completes just about any Mediterranean meal. And you can always try my vegan tzatziki.
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip: This one’s highly addictive and oh so good!
- Best Ever Guacamole: A classic you should always have on hand.
If you make this white bean dip, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
White Bean Dip
Description
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can white beans (cannellini, great northern, or navy beans), drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, loosely packed, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- garnish with extra olive oil and thyme leaves
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor, and process for 15-20 seconds or until smooth.
- Transfer the white bean dip to a serving bowl and garnish.
Lisa’s Tips
- One 15-ounce can of white beans equals approximately 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans.
- If you like an extra smooth and creamy texture, you can blend another tablespoon of olive oil into the dip.
- I’m serving the dip with these gluten-free crackers. But crackers, or veggie sticks are both great!
Nutrition
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Hi, Lisa! How big is one serving? Or how many many servings in one recipe? Just checking for macro tracking purposes. Thanks!
Hi Susan – You can always find the number of servings listed in the recipe card. This recipe makes 6 servings!
Just made this….threw together a can of great northern beans, 2 gloves of garlic, juice of half a lemon, a dab of olive oil, and Trader Joe’s Green Goddess seasoning. I didn’t measure anything. This is so much better than hummus. The flavors blend together well and the taste is amazing. I’ll definitely keep this in rotation for lunch ideas. I did have to thin it out a little because I used less olive oil than the recipe called for. Great recipe. Thank you for sharing. I’ve already shared it with friends and family.
Thanks for sharing your tweaks, Stacey! I’m happy you loved it!
Yum! Wanted to make hummus and didn’t have chickpeas so I made this. So good! I left out the thyme for my toddler, and next time I’ll give her some and add the garlic after for me ;) I did double the garlic, haha!!
Glad you were able to make use of your white beans!
What a gorgeous recipe! I used fresh rosemary instead of thyme but otherwise, followed the recipe exactly. It’s absolutely perfect!
Hi Aimee – Wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed this white bean dip.
Hi Lisa. I haven’t commented in a while. I made this dip and its fantastically delicious! I dipped my celery sticks into and it’s scrumptious! I pretty much already finished it. In addition to this I also made your white bean kale asparagus soup (not on your site here but from your book). OMG that soup is my new favorite soup and what a treat! I just froze much of the soup. I had two pounds of white beans to use and your recipes just made these wonderful new recipes! I continue to try your different recipes. Thank you
– my cooking diva!
Hi Elizabeth – Thanks for leaving a review! Happy to hear you’re turning white beans into something tasty in the kitchen with these recipes.
This bean dip was so easy and delicious. I will be making this weekly for sure!
Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Janis!
I LOVE this white bean dip! If I run out things to dip in it, I just eat it with a spoon – it’s that great! Thank you for a fantastic recipe!
Hi Amy – I would do that too with how good it is, ha!
Do you think Basil would work instead of thyme? I have some on hand, but didn’t know if you’ve tried any herb variations. Can pick up thyme if needed, though!! :)
Yes, I think that would work as well!
Tasty white bean dip. Sometimes I switch out the thyme for marjoram. We love this with rice crackers as well as veggies.
I love to dip it with veggie sticks as well. :)
Delicious, easy and economical. I think it’s far better than most of the dips that are brought to parties! Elegant in its simplicity. Made as written. I know it’s another Lisa recipe that will be in regular rotation. Ty!!
So happy you loved it Jackie! Gotta love those simple recipes. :)
Yum! I really like this and appreciate the note about the measurements for the beans as I cook large quantities of beans for the freezer. I used dry thyme and extra olive oil and lemon. Delicious!
Glad you enjoyed this white bean dip Karen!
So simple and absolutely delicious!
I’m so happy you loved this white bean dip!
Made it for the second time. Very tasty! Great way to add more plant protein to diet. Thanks a lot!
Glad you’re loving this white bean dip Sam!
So yummy! Crazy though how different the texture turned out this time when I used cannellini beans instead of great northern! I added extra garlic, a little extra lemon, black pepper, a dab of homemade hot sauce, and topped with chili flakes as well. Yum!
Delicious! Love the addition of the thyme!
Yum! I made this for the first time today and was blown away by how delicious it is! So yummy and so easy to make– thank you Lisa! I am excited to dip all the things in this, and try spreading some on sandwiches. Keep the yummy snack dips coming!!
It really is such a versatile dip! Glad you enjoyed it Taylor :)
Thé nutritional value is for what quantity?
The nutritional value will always be per serving. For this recipe, each serving is about a quarter cup.
I’ve looked at this recipe many times and never made it. Finally did today!!! YUM! Love it! If it’s even better the second day, I can’t wait for tomorrow! Thanks for another great one!
Glad you loved this white bean dip Christina!
Hello, I saw that this serves 6, if my figures are right that’s 2T a serving?
Hi Suzette – each serving will be around 1/4 cup.
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.
Wonderful! Glad this white bean dip was a hit Olivia :)
Sounds delicious! I don’t have a food processor but do have a Vitamix and an immersion blender. Would those work to make the dip?
The recipe as is won’t be enough to blend in the Vitamix unfortunately. But if you double the recipe, I think it could work! You’ll just have a lot of white bean dip :)
This white bean dip is truly perfect! I’ve made a few over the years but this recipe has the perfect balance of garlic, healthy olive oil, and herb. And it stores well – gets better the next day! I’m on WW+ and I put the recipe in my app – 1 serving is 1 point in the blue program, even with an extra drizzle of olive oil. Scoop it up with zero point veggies and you have an amazing snack. I even added a few scoops of this dip to the center of a simple egg omelette with some other veggies – YUM! Thank you for another healthy, quick to make, delicious snack.
Happy to hear you’ve found a winning white bean dip Lisa! Love the idea of adding a dollop to an omelette as well :)
Love this dip! So creamy and the lemon and thyme give such great flavor. I love to eat this as a dip or spread it on wraps. YUM!
The lemon really adds a bright touch to this dip!
This white bean dip is so delicious and will become a staple in our household. Thanks for the recipe Lisa!
Happy to hear everyone enjoyed this white bean dip Kelli :)
I love white bean dip, and your recipe with thyme added sounds incredible! Can’t wait to wow the family with this!
Hope the whole family enjoys this one :)
Yum! I love how quick it is to make this delicious white bean dip!
Can’t beat this dip for a quick and easy healthy snack!
This dip looks so healthy! I’m adding it to the must try list!
Hope you enjoy this recipe Wanda :)
It looks easy to make and I’m pretty sure it tastes delicious!!!
Thanks for the recipe.
Just a question… what’s the portion size?
Hi Sara – this recipe makes about 1.5 cups.
Loved this! And super easy to make!
Glad you loved this white bean dip Craig!