Cheesy Black Bean Dip

This cheesy black bean dip is the perfect balance of creamy, spicy flavors. Serve it with your favorite chips for a delicious appetizer.

I love dips and after years of making this vegan black bean dip, I thought I’d give it a little twist and create a cheesy version. It’s just as simple but it adds a lovely layer of spicy, creamy flavor. This recipe can be made in a food processor or blender, so it only takes a few minutes to assemble. I served it with chips but it could also be served with bell pepper slices for a lower-carb option.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Black beans– I used canned black beans but you could also use leftover Slow Cooker Black Beans or Mexican Black Beans.
• Chipotle peppers– I used two chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You could substitute with 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce. I really love the spicy, smoky flavor this adds to the dip but if you don’t have any, you could use 2 tablespoons of your favorite spicy tomato salsa.
• Cream cheese– This helps create a rich, creamy dip and balances out the spices.
• Seasonings– I used cumin, garlic powder, and salt — but you could substitute this with a teaspoon of your favorite taco seasoning.
• Lime– A squeeze of lime juice brightens the overall flavor of the dip.
• Pepper Jack cheese– You can substitute Monterey Jack or even shredded cheddar, but if you can get your hands on Pepper Jack cheese it really does make a difference.

What is Pepper Jack Cheese?

This is a variation of Monterey Jack cheese that has a spicy flavor and melts easily. It’s a semi-soft cheese and typically contains a variety of peppers. Some versions are spicier than others, so you may want to adjust the seasonings to taste based on your cheese. I used Borden’s Spicy Pepper Jack cheese for this recipe.

How to Make Black Bean Dip

How to Use a Blender to Make Dip

If you don’t have a food processor but you want to make this dip, you can use a blender instead. It just takes a bit more patience. Since blenders don’t have a “pulse” setting, you’ll need to start and stop the blender frequently and stir in between each blend. The goal is to mash the beans and combine them with the other ingredients, while still keeping a chunky texture. Before adding the ingredients to the blender, chop the chipotle peppers and allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature for a few minutes. This will make it easier to incorporate the ingredients into the dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this recipe vegan? I’d recommend making my vegan black bean dip instead. It’s packed with flavor and easy to make!
• What can I serve it with? I love serving this with tortilla chips but I’ve also been loving Beanitos. They’re chips made from white beans so they have more protein and fiber. This dip is also great with sweet mini peppers or sliced bell peppers.
• Can I make this with refried beans? You can use refried beans instead of canned black beans if you prefer. Another option is to use my refried black beans recipe!

More Dip Recipes

• Warm Taco Dip
• Greek Yogurt Onion Dip
• 5 Minute Corn Salsa

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