Spicy Black Bean Dip (Printer view)

Bold and zesty black bean blend with jalapeño, lime, and spices. Vegan and gluten-free. Ready in 10 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Vegetables

01 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

→ Flavorings & Liquids

06 - 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - Extra chopped cilantro
14 - Crumbled feta or cotija cheese (omit for vegan)
15 - Sliced jalapeños
16 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a food processor, combine black beans, jalapeño, garlic, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. For a chunkier texture, pulse instead of blending continuously.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning with more lime, salt, or jalapeño as desired.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra cilantro, cheese, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges if using.
05 - Serve with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or as a spread in wraps and sandwiches.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes less time to make than running to the store, and tastes fresher than anything from a jar.
  • The smoky heat sneaks up on you in the best way, keeping everyone reaching for more chips.
  • You can make it as smooth or chunky as you like, depending on your mood or crowd.
  • It works as a dip, spread, taco topping, or even a quick lunch smeared on toast.
02 -
  • If your dip tastes flat, it almost always needs more lime or salt, not more spice.
  • Rinsing the black beans is not optional, the canning liquid can make the dip taste metallic and too salty.
  • Do not skip scraping down the sides of the processor, otherwise you will end up with chunks hiding at the bottom.
03 -
  • Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy, creamy version that is less vegan but incredibly lush.
  • If you do not have a food processor, a blender works fine, just stop and stir more often to keep things moving.
  • Roast the jalapeño and garlic first for a deeper, smokier flavor that feels almost restaurant-level fancy.
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