Creamy White Bean Dip (Print Version)

Smooth and creamy white bean dip with garlic and lemon. Ready in 10 minutes, ideal for appetizers and entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 2 cups (1 can, 15 oz) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed

→ Aromatics & Seasoning

02 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
03 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped

# Directions:

01 - In a food processor or blender, combine white beans, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
02 - Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lemon juice, salt, or olive oil as preferred.
04 - For extra flavor, blend in cumin or fresh herbs if desired.
05 - Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with pita, vegetables, or crackers.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.
  • The mild flavor makes it a blank canvas for whatever herbs or spices you're craving that day.
  • It's the kind of dip that disappears from the table before anyone realizes they've eaten half the bowl.
02 -
  • If your dip feels gritty, blend it longer than you think you need to, the food processor needs a full minute to break down the bean skins into velvet.
  • Cold beans straight from the can make a thicker dip, let them sit at room temperature for ten minutes if you want it to spread easier.
03 -
  • Peeling the beans takes forever but makes the dip insanely silky, save this trick for when you want to impress someone or just need something meditative to do.
  • A tablespoon of tahini blended in adds richness and a subtle nuttiness that makes people think you used some fancy ingredient they can't quite name.
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