Refried Bean Dip Recipe (2024)

This recipe is: dairy freeegg freegluten freenut freevegan

This healthy refried bean dip recipe is super easy to make. It’s served warm and layered with fresh cilantro and pico de gallo. There’s no cream cheese, so it’s already dairy free, but you can make it vegan by swapping the refried beans. Makes 16 servings.

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Refried Bean Dip Recipe (1)

Why I love this refried bean dip recipe

I love a good dip, especially when it’s the tortilla chip kind. I can always get behind a good taco dip or salsa, and refried bean dip is no exception. There never seems to be enough to go around.

What is bean dip made of?Normally, warm bean dip is made with heavy cream cheese and topped with cheddar, but I wanted to make something that was a little bit lighter this time around. Plus, cheese in my dip is not really an option anymore.

That’s why I love this recipe. It’s flavorful and creamy, and it’s so much healthier than traditional bean dip because there’s no dairy. You can top it with whatever extras you want (extra cilantro, please), or you can serve it as is.

Refried Bean Dip Recipe (2)

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

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Refried Bean Dip Recipe (3)

How to make refried bean dip

Simmer the seasonings.Heat a large skillet to medium-high. Add some olive oil, a bit of garlic, some taco seasoning and a can of diced green chilies. Let it simmer until it smells really good, about 1 minute.

Add the beans and broth.Slowly whisk the refried beans and the broth into the pan to combine with the seasonings. The beans will loosen up as they warm, so you don’t have to force it. Just keep everything moving the seasonings don’t burn your dip.

Refried Bean Dip Recipe (4)

If you need extra simmering time, go ahead and add more broth. This way the dip won’t get too thick, and you can keep adding as needed if you’re not ready to serve.

Garnish with toppings.Let everything get good and hot in the pan, and just before serving, top it with whatever garnish you want. You can also serve the garnish on the side (this is especially great for larger parties).

Refried Bean Dip Recipe (5)

FAQs and Tips for making refried bean dip

What chips are good with bean dip?I serve this recipe with tortilla chips, but corn chips (like Fritos) would also be great.

How long does bean dip last? You’ll want to reheat it before serving, but you can store this dip for up to one week in the refrigerator.

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Can I make this ahead of time?You can definitely make this ahead to time. Be sure to add a little extra broth when reheating, and hold off on the toppings/garnishes until just before serving.

To make this bean dip recipe vegan, simply swap the refried beans for a vegetarian version (that doesn’t include lard in the ingredients) and use vegetable broth.

If you want this recipe to be gluten free, be sure to check your labels and use a gluten free taco seasoning (we use the spice island brand from Costco).

What goes good with bean dip?

  • Pineapple margaritas
  • Jalapeño margaritas
  • Fajita marinade
  • Instant pot carnitas
  • Slow cooker beef tacos
  • Mexican quinoa
Refried Bean Dip Recipe (7)

More bean recipes:

  • Instant pot baked beans
  • Refried black beans
  • Green bean casserole
  • Black eyed pea salad
  • Mediterranean chickpea salad

More dairy free dip recipes:

  • Caramelized onion dip
  • Chili con queso or vegan queso if you’re looking for something meat-free
  • Chipotle salsa
  • Vegan spinach artichoke dip
  • Homemade ranch dip

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Refried Bean Dip Recipe (8)

Refried Bean Dip Recipe

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4.7 from 6 reviews

Print Recipe

This healthy, refried bean dip recipe is super easy to make. It’s served warm and layered with fresh cilantro and with salsa (optional). There’s no cheese, so it’s already dairy free, but you can make it vegan by swapping the refried beans. #beandip #dairyfree

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (11 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
  • 4 teaspoons taco seasoning*
  • 2 15-ounce cans refried beans*
  • 1/4 cup chicken, vegetable or beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet to medium-high. Add olive oil, garlic, chiles and taco seasoning. Sauté until fragrant.
  2. Add refried beans, broth and lime juice to the skillet. Gently whisk until smooth.
  3. Simmer until ready to serve. If needed, add additional broth to thin the dip.
  4. Garnish with desired toppings before serving.
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: about 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 60
  • Sugar: 0.6 g
  • Sodium: 256 mg
  • Fat: 2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8.3 g
  • Fiber: 2.3 g
  • Protein: 2.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Published: June 6, 2019. Updated: January 23, 2024.

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Refried Bean Dip Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between refried beans and bean dip? ›

While refried beans usually resemble a chunky, mashed mixture perfect for spreading on tortillas or serving alongside warm rice, bean dip can be made with whole beans with a fresh appeal similar to classic pico de gallo or puréed into a smooth consistency with several different ingredients.

How do restaurants make refried beans taste so good? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.

What should I add to refried beans? ›

Or for an even smokier flavor, you can add in some finely-diced chipotle chile in adobo sauce. Or — the easiest option for heat — just add in some cayenne pepper to taste. Add in some cheese: I just like to garnish my refried beans with some crumbled cotija or shredded cheddar cheese on top.

What is Frito Lay bean dip made of? ›

Ingredients. Water, Pinto Beans, Vinegar, Corn Oil, Salt, Maltodextrin (Made from Corn), Dried Onion, Sugar, Jalapeño Peppers, Spice, Chili Pepper, Dried Garlic and Natural Flavors.

Is bean dip just refried beans? ›

Bean dip is made of cooked (in water) beans which are mashed/pureed but not cooked any further. Refried beans are cooked in water, mashed, and then sauteed in some cooking fat, traditionally lard but now usually oil. Of course you could let them cool and use them for a bean dip.

Are refried beans less healthy than beans? ›

As mentioned, while beans can be a great source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients, refried beans also contain lard and salt. If you're watching your diet, you may want to keep this in mind before ordering a burrito or a side of refried beans.

What do Mexicans eat refried beans with? ›

If you are a frequent consumer of Mexican cuisine, I'm sure you have had refried beans many times before. It is very commonly included in meals as a side, along with rice and some fresh lettuce. Refried beans are traditionally cooked in lard in order to get that signature, delicious refried bean taste.

What is 7 layer bean dip made of? ›

What's in 7-layer dip? This party staple truly has everything we could ever want in a dip: refried beans, homemade guacamole, salsa, a sour cream-lime juice-taco seasoning mixture, and shredded cheese. While you can totally use store-bought if you're low on time, we're partial to our guacamole recipe.

How to jazz up refried beans? ›

Add a bit of fat

You can use olive oil, lard, bacon, beef bones, sausage, or a fatty piece of meat such as a ham hock or steak to rev up the flavor of your beans. While there are many tips for cooking beans, the addition of fat gives your refried beans a luxurious taste.

Is black bean dip the same as refried beans? ›

No, this bean dip is a quick no-cook blender recipe, while refried beans are usually cooked with garlic, onion, and spices before they are mashed. Do you eat bean dip hot or cold? You can eat bean dip cold from the fridge, at room temperature, or warm.

What is bean dip? ›

What the heck does 'bean dip' mean? Urban Dictionary defines "bean dip" as "(flicking) a woman's (or man's) breast with the index finger." It's "dubbed 'bean dip' because the move is similar to that of scooping up bean dip," the website reads.

What's the difference between beans and refried beans? ›

Black beans are a kind of bean. Refried beans is a recipe for preparing beans. Refried beans are typically made with pinto beans, but also can be made from any other bean you like.

What are Mexican refried beans called? ›

The English term 'refried beans' is a colloquial adaptation of the Spanish frijoles refritos. Frijoles means beans, and refritos means well-fried. A contributing factor may have been the Mexican habit of adding the prefix 're' to emphasize a word's special meaning.

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