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.

Refried Bean Dip Recipe (6)

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 is the difference between refried beans and bean dip? ›

Most varieties are primarily made up of cooked pinto beans with less than 2% each of flavorings like cumin, tomato paste, and lard. Homemade refried beans may include more than one unexpected ingredient, such as lime juice, bacon, or queso fresco, but bean dip can be made with an extensive range of extra 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 can you add to canned refried beans? ›

Swap The Seasonings – Use your favorite seasonings to flavor these creamy refried beans. Try bacon grease, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken broth, chili pepper, lime juice, cream cheese, taco seasoning, and more to make the best refried beans to serve with your next Mexican meal.

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.

Why are Mexican restaurant refried beans so good? ›

While canned refried beans are convenient, they're no match for the creamy and flavorful refried beans served at your local Mexican restaurant. If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat.

What do Mexicans call refried beans? ›

The name “refried beans” is a bit of a misnomer, as the beans are only fried once. The Spanish name of the dish, frijoles refritos, translates to “well-fried beans,” which is where the English name comes from.

What is 7 layer bean dip made of? ›

This easy 7 Layer Dip recipe has seasoned refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, olives, and green onion. It is a total classic that everyone is always excited about!

What can I add to refried beans for more flavor? ›

Fresh onion and garlic: Which we will sauté in butter or oil until softened. Veggie stock: To thin the beans out and add some extra depth of flavor. Spices: I love the combination of ground cumin, chili powder and oregano in my refried beans.

What does milk do to refried beans? ›

Add milk instead of water.

You'll see in the recipe below that I add milk, not water, to my refried beans. It's just enough to give them a creamier texture and a richer flavor. If you prefer non-dairy, just swap out the milk for water or even chicken or vegetable broth.

How do you doctor up canned refried beans? ›

I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.

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.

What is in taco Bell refried beans? ›

WATER, PINTO BEANS, SALT, SOYBEAN OIL, PINK BEANS, NATURAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN.

What is the red stuff in Fritos hot bean dip? ›

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

Why is my bean dip watery? ›

Dips can turn watery if food, such as chips or vegetables like carrots and celery, is being dipped directly into the container and then refrigerated and re-opened for later use.

What does bean dip mean in slang? ›

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.

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.

Why do they call it a 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 is bean dip? ›

Urban Dictionary explains a bean dip as to “raise the underboob of a man or woman with your index and second finger,” so we can totally see why things got so awkward so quickly—and why Clay and AD were clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation.

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

Refried beans are often mashed or pureed, but they can also be a combination of mashed beans with whole beans; the texture is a matter of preference, but canned refried beans are most often smooth and uniform.

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