Spicy Black Bean Dip (Printable)

Bold and zesty black bean blend with jalapeño, lime, and aromatic spices. Vegan and gluten-free appetizer ready in 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
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
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Step-by-step 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most people can find their car keys, and tastes like you know what you're doing in the kitchen.
  • The smoky heat sneaks up on you in the best way, making it impossible to stop at one chip.
  • You can make it as mild or as fiery as your crowd can handle without changing the whole recipe.
  • It works as a dip, a spread, a taco filling, or even stirred into scrambled eggs the next morning.
02 -
  • Rinse those canned beans well or the dip will taste metallic and weird, a mistake I only made once before learning my lesson.
  • Taste your jalapeño before you commit, some are mild as bell peppers and others will light your mouth on fire.
  • If the dip feels too thick, a tablespoon of water or extra lime juice will loosen it up without diluting the flavor.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of sugar if your lime juice is too tart, it balances the acidity without making the dip taste sweet.
  • Blend in a handful of baby spinach or kale for extra nutrition without changing the flavor, the other ingredients cover it completely.
  • Toast your cumin in a dry pan for thirty seconds before adding it, the fragrance it releases will make the whole dip taste deeper and more intentional.
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