Smooth & Cozy Ina Garten’s White Bean Dip Recipe

Creamy, tangy white bean dip by Ina Garten brings Mediterranean flavors straight to your appetizer table.

Her simple recipe turns basic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Smooth white beans blend with zesty herbs and rich olive oil for an irresistible starter.

Every bite delivers a delightful balance of textures and bright, fresh notes.

Garlic and lemon add vibrant depth to this classic dish that comes together in minutes.

Serve this elegant dip alongside crisp vegetables or warm pita for an instant crowd-pleaser.

You’ll want to keep this recipe in your entertaining arsenal for effortless entertaining.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 125 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients in Ina Garten White Bean Dip

• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that provide a smooth, rich foundation for the dip, offering a subtle nutty flavor and protein-packed base.
• Olive Oil: Silky liquid that adds luxurious smoothness and helps create a perfectly blended texture while enhancing overall taste.

• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that brings a sharp, zesty punch and depth to the bean dip, creating complex flavor layers.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that cuts through richness and adds a refreshing tang, balancing the creamy beans.
• Lemon Zest: Concentrated citrus essence that provides intense, aromatic flavor without additional liquid.
• Sea Salt: Mineral-rich seasoning that amplifies and harmonizes all other ingredients' flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy ground seasoning that introduces subtle heat and complexity.

• Fresh Herbs: Vibrant green additions like parsley, basil, or chives that introduce a fresh, aromatic dimension and visual appeal to the dip.
• Water: Neutral liquid used to adjust the dip's consistency, ensuring a smooth, spreadable texture.

Tools for Making Ina Garten White Bean Dip

• Food Processor: Essential for blending and creating smooth, creamy texture quickly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately for perfect balance.
• Microplane or Zester: Perfect for getting fine, delicate lemon zest without bitter pith.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping fresh herbs precisely.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down sides of food processor and transfer dip smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Useful for serving the finished white bean dip elegantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Ina Garten White Bean Dip

• Bean Preparation

Drain and rinse cannellini beans carefully, ensuring they are clean and ready for blending. Pat beans dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

• Flavor Foundation

Gather fresh ingredients like zesty lemon, robust garlic, and fragrant herbs that will elevate the bean mixture’s taste profile. Select high-quality olive oil for richness.

• Blending Magic

Place beans and selected seasonings into food processor. Pulse gently to create a rustic texture that maintains some bean integrity. Slowly stream water to achieve creamy consistency.

• Herbal Infusion

Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme across the surface. Give a quick pulse to distribute delicate green specks throughout the dip, creating visual and flavor complexity.

• Serving Style

Transfer dip to a beautiful serving bowl. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top for a luxurious finish. Garnish with additional herbs and serve alongside crisp vegetable sticks or warm pita bread.

Flavor Boosts for Ina Garten White Bean Dip

• Experiment with different fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dill to create unique flavor profiles that complement the creamy white bean base.
• Add a kick by incorporating red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a little heat in their dip.
• Swap raw garlic for roasted garlic to create a deeper, mellower flavor that adds complexity to the white bean dip.
• Pair this versatile dip with toasted pita chips, fresh vegetable sticks, crusty bread slices, or use as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.

How to Serve Ina Garten White Bean Dip

• Serve with Rustic Bread Slices: Cut a crusty French baguette or sourdough into thin diagonal slices and toast them lightly for a crispy base that complements the creamy white bean dip.
• Veggie Dipping Delight: Prepare a colorful platter of fresh, crunchy vegetables like carrots, cucumber sticks, bell pepper strips, and radishes to offer a healthy and vibrant dipping option.
• Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Arrange the white bean dip as a centerpiece on a large wooden board surrounded by olives, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an authentic Mediterranean-style appetizer experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley, chives, or dill on top of the dip just before serving to add a burst of color and fresh, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Store and Use Ina Garten White Bean Dip Later

• Refrigerate and Savor: Store the white bean dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make this dip a day before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more robust taste profile.
• Freezing Option: Transfer the dip to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving to restore its creamy texture.
• Serving Suggestions: Keep the dip chilled until ready to serve, and bring to room temperature for about 15 minutes to enhance its smooth consistency and bring out the subtle herb and garlic notes.

Rustic White Bean Dip Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s white bean dip combines creamy cannellini beans with zesty garlic and fresh herbs. Rich Mediterranean flavors create a smooth, elegant appetizer perfect for entertaining guests who appreciate simple yet sophisticated culinary experiences.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) cannellini beans, cooked and drained
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• 2–4 tbsps (30–60 ml) water, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsps torn fresh basil leaves (or other fresh herbs)

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Instructions

1. Blend Base: Combine cannellini beans, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a food processor, pulsing 5-6 times to create a rustic, textured mixture.
2. Adjust Consistency: While processing on low speed, gradually stream in room temperature water until the dip reaches a smooth, velvety texture that spreads effortlessly.
3. Herb Infusion: Gently pulse in fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil, ensuring an even distribution of aromatic flavors throughout the dip.
4. Flavor Refinement: Taste and fine-tune the seasoning, balancing the brightness of lemon, depth of garlic, and herbaceous notes to create a harmonious flavor profile.
5. Presentation: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, smoothing the surface and garnishing with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of paprika, and additional chopped herbs for visual appeal.
6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then serve alongside crisp vegetable sticks, artisanal pita chips, or rustic crusty bread.

Notes

• Optimize Texture: Pulse beans carefully to maintain a rustic, slightly chunky consistency that highlights the natural bean integrity.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature water to create a smoother, more cohesive dip without cooling down the ingredients.
• Herb Balance: Add fresh herbs sparingly, pulsing just 2-3 times to distribute evenly without overwhelming the delicate bean flavor.
• Serving Pro Tip: Chill the dip briefly to allow flavors to develop and meld, enhancing the overall taste and creating a more refined appetizer.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 125
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg