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Refried Bean Dip

Refried Bean Dip

This refried bean dip is creamy and smooth with bright lime notes, built from blended pinto beans and sautéed onion, garlic, and jalapeño. A quick stovetop sauté and short blend make it an easy party dip for chips, sliced veggies, or tacos.
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Course: Appetizers
Keyword: blender, dip, pinto beans, refried

Equipment

  • skillet
  • Blender
  • Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jalapeño chopped (white pith and seeds removed)
  • 2 15 oz. cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt fine
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice fresh

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chopped yellow onion and chopped jalapeño until they start to soften, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir for 1 more minute, then turn off the heat and set the pan aside.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine the drained pinto beans, ground cumin, fine sea salt, and fresh lime juice. Add the sautéed vegetables, secure the lid, and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
  4. Taste the dip and adjust seasoning, adding an extra pinch of salt if desired. For more heat or herb flavor, add a handful of fresh cilantro leaves or a few jarred jalapeño slices and blend again, then transfer the dip to a serving bowl and add any garnishes you like; serve with chips or sliced veggies.
  5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; the dip will thicken slightly when chilled.

Notes

Notes
Nutrition information is for roughly a 1/4 cup of dip, assuming you get 2 1/2 cups total from this recipe. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
Safety Tip:
Fresh jalapeño juice can cause a burning sensation when it touches your skin or eyes, so be careful when removing their seeds and chopping them. You can skip this ingredient and use a few jarred jalapeno slices if you prefer.
Variations:
Skip the chopping and sauteeing step and use a 4-ounce can of green chiles to replace the onion, garlic, and fresh jalapeno. In this case, I recommend adding a few jarred jalapeno slices, too. Fresh cilantro is also a delicious addition!
Update Note:
This recipe was updated in March 2024 to be easier to blend. You can find the
original recipe here
if you prefer.