Parmesan White Bean Dip

Why You’ll Love This White Bean Dip Recipe

I love a recipe with a short ingredients list and this white bean dip recipe needs only five ingredients that you may already have on hand. Once you gather them together all you’ll have to do is throw everything in a food processor and whiz until you have a gorgeously creamy dip.

It features spinach, which adds adds color and flavor, and tangy Parmesan cheese. The best part, in my opinion, is the bright burst of fresh lemon juice that gives a nice kick to the mellow white beans. You can serve white bean dip as an appetizer or spread it on a sandwich. I often enjoy it as a quick snack with homemade chips. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

• So easy. Food processors and blenders can be your best friend in the kitchen, allowing you to whip up sauces, dips, and soups with ease. You’ll need five minutes or less to make white bean dip!
• Naturally gluten free. No weird ingredients or substitutions exist on this ingredients list – and every component is gluten free. You won’t have to worry about any cross-contamination if you make your own dip.
• Great texture. I love the silky smoothness of this parmesan white bean dip – it’s even creamier than hummus! Make sure you process the ingredients fully in the food processor so that they’re completely broken down for the very best texture.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a look at the simple ingredients needed to make white bean dip – you may already have many of them in the pantry already! Check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.

• White Beans: You can use a can of beans or prepare about 12 ounces of dried white beans.
• Baby Spinach: If needed, you can substitute regular spinach.
• Parmesan Cheese: I use grated parmesan cheese for the dip so that it incorporates fully. You can also use shredded cheese, but you may need to process it slightly longer so that the cheese breaks down.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best! If you like a lot of lemon, you can also zest the lemon you used for the juice and add it to the dip.
• Olive Oil: I always use extra-virgin olive oil.
• Salt and Pepper
• To Serve: Crackers, chips, or vegetables. I’ve included some more suggestions lower down.

What Are White Beans?

White beans are legumes (beans) that have a white color. There are several varieties of white beans, including navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. You can purchase dried white beans – you’ll need to rinse, soak, and cook them before using in this recipe – or buy them in cans for instant use. For this white bean dip recipe I recommend buying a can labeled cannellini beans or navy beans.

How To Make White Bean Dip

Your food processor will do the hard work of making this dip for you! Here’s a look at how you’ll put it together. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

• Place ingredients in a food processor. Add the beans, spinach, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and olive oil to a food processor.
• Puree. Process the mixture until smooth.

• Season and serve. Pulse in salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into a bowl and garnish with more parmesan and pepper, if desired.

Proper Storage

You can keep this white bean dip handy in the fridge for a few days to add to salads, sandwiches, or to enjoy as an easy snack. Here’s how to store it:

• Fridge – Place white bean dip in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – Transfer the dip to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw the dip completely in the fridge before eating. Note that the consistency of the dip may change after being frozen and defrosted, but it will still taste very good.