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Home Recipes by Type Appetizers/Snacks Dips & Spreads
GF Gluten-Free VG Vegetarian

Refried Bean Dip

5
/5
45 mins
9 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 08/12/2022Updated: 08/12/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Dip, text overlay reads "refried bean dip - so good!"
Dip, text overlay reads "irresistible refried bean dip!"
Dip, text overlay reads "the best refried bean dip!"
Dip, text overlay reads "refried bean dip - so delicious!"
Ridiculously easy and perfect for game day, handheld refried bean dip is a hearty appetizer that everyone loves. Let your guests add their own toppings. Get the fun appetizer recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Ridiculously easy and perfect for game day, refried bean dip is a hearty appetizer that everyone loves. Perfect with tortilla chips!

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This recipe really is very easy. The dip is so creamy and delicious, everyone loves it.

How long it takes: 10 minutes to prep, 35 minutes to bake
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, electric mixer, shallow baking dish
Servings: 12 (makes about 6 cups of dip)

Refried bean dip in a 9x13 baking dish.
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About This Recipe
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make This Appetizer
  • 5 FAQs
  • 6 Make It Your Own
  • 7 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 8 Storage & Reheating Tips
  • 9 Hearty Appetizers
  • 10 Get the Recipe: Refried Bean Dip

Warm creamy bean dip is the sort of thing that people can’t seem to get enough of. It’s the perfect match for crisp tortilla chips. Refried bean dip is party food!

My kitchen has a big island that everyone congregates around and there’s a good open flow between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I love to arrange a few appetizers on the island and enjoy all the conversation as friends munch on all their favorites.

I know if I add this refried bean dip to the roster, along with my chipotle salsa and slow cooker queso, everyone will be happy and full of hearty, satisfying appetizers.

About This Recipe

One of the things I love about this refried bean dip is how easy it is to make. There’s no chopping, dicing, or monkeying around. Unwrap a package of cream cheese, open a few cans, dump in a few spices, mix it all together and heat it up. Easy peasy.

If you prefer to make your own refried beans, that takes a little more effort. The good part is that refried beans freeze really well so you can make them a month in advance, thaw them in the fridge overnight, and you’re good to go. You’ll find a link on the recipe card for making refried beans in your slow cooker or Instant Pot refried beans. Both recipes are easy and delicious.

Prepping the dip will take you about ten minutes. It needs about 35 minutes in the oven to get good and hot. That will give you a chance to prepare a knockout cocktail or two. Try a spicy Paloma or strawberry margarita punch.

By the way, a cast iron skillet is perfect for a baked dip. The dip stays nice and warm for a long time after you take it out of the oven which is ideal for serving.

Chip being dipped into bean dip.

I’ll run you through the recipe here and give you a few extra tips. Look for the printable recipe card near the bottom of the post. It has complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.

What You’ll Need

  • Refried Beans: You’ll need two 16 ounce cans of refried beans or the equivalent of homemade refried beans (about 3 ½ cups). It’s easy to make your own refried beans using dried pinto beans. Make crockpot refried beans or Instant Pot refried beans. Both methods are easy and you don’t even have to soak the beans first.
  • Cream Cheese: Choose a block of regular cream cheese or lower fat cream cheese. Avoid nonfat cream cheese because it contains a lot of additives. Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before using.
  • Canned Chopped Green Chiles: You’ll need a 4 ounce can. Don’t worry that a dip made with green chiles will be too spicy; they are very mild flavored.
  • Lime: Fresh lime juice brightens up the dip, giving it just a touch of acidity.
  • Chili Powder: Chili powder is a blend of herbs and spices, usually with added salt.
  • Cumin: Ground cumin is a warm spice that is common in many cultures, including Mexican. I reach for my jar of cumin frequently; it’s one of my most used spices.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Ground cayenne pepper powder can be pretty spicy so there’s only a quarter teaspoon added to the dip (you can add more if you like!).
  • Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese: The brand I use is a mixture of Monterey Jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla and asadero cheeses.
  • Toppings: The toppings are optional and are arranged on the dip after it bakes. Some good choices are chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapeño peppers, pickled red onions, pickled radishes, chopped tomatoes, or diced avocado.
  • Tortilla Chips: The best dippers for this dip! Make your own fresh tortilla chips if you like. It’s super easy and they are so fresh and warm, and healthier too. Try oven baked tortilla chips or air fryer tortilla chips. Only three ingredients: corn tortillas, oil spray, salt.
Ingredients needed for recipe including refried beans and cream cheese.

How To Make This Appetizer

Are you ready to get started? Unwrap the cream cheese and put it into a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until it’s smooth and a bit fluffy.

Cream cheese being whipped with an electric mixer.

Add the two cans of refried beans, green chiles, lime juice, and seasonings.

Ingredients not yet mixed together.

Again with the mixer, blend all the ingredients together until the mixture is combined and fairly smooth.

Ingredients mixed together in a mixing bowl.

Fold in a cup of the shredded cheese. Save a half cup to sprinkle on top.

Cheese on top of bean mixture.

Spread the mixture into a shallow baking dish or cast iron pan. I usually spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray for easy cleanup.

Bean dip spread into a baking dish.

Sprinkle the reserved cheese on top.

Unbaked bean dip.

Bake the bean dip for about 35 minutes or until it’s nice and warm. The cheese should be all melty and delicious looking.

Serve your refried bean dip just as it is or garnish it with a few toppings. It’s totally up to you! Be sure to have plenty of tortilla chips. It would be very sad to have dip left over because you ran out of chips.

Cheesy bean dip with toppings.

FAQs

What complements refried beans?

While refried beans are good on their own, they make a great side dish for tacos, burritos, or fajitas. Add a spoonful of Mexican rice to the plate and you have a complete meal.
Refried beans can be garnished with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapeño peppers, chopped tomatoes, or diced avocado.
And who doesn’t love refried beans with crisp tortilla chips?

Is bean dip just refried beans?

While refried beans are the main ingredient in bean dip recipes, most bean dips also contain some type of cheese and seasonings. Bean dips are softer and creamier (more dippable) than plain refried beans.

Is bean dip served hot or cold?

There are recipes for both hot and cold bean dip. If you like a cold dip, try this healthy Southwestern black bean dip (it has a secret ingredient which amps up the protein) or creamy black bean dip made with avocado instead of cheese.
My seven layer dip is pretty fabulous, too.

Make It Your Own

  • For a fun alternative, serve the bean dip in individually sized tortilla boats. Put a dollop of bean dip in each boat, sprinkle with cheese, and place the boats on a baking tray. Bake the dip right in the boats (350°F for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted) and let guests choose their own toppings.
  • There are many varieties of canned refried beans. Choose your favorite.
  • Try different types of cheese in your dip. Good choices are cheddar, Monterey Jack, colby jack, or Oaxaca.
Bean dip in a small bowl with a chip.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Refried bean dip can be made a day ahead, unbaked, and refrigerated. Add about five minutes to the baking time since the dip is chilled.

Although I haven’t tried it yet, I’m quite sure you can freeze the unbaked dip without toppings. I would thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking it.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Baked bean dip that is left over can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Please keep in mind that if your dip has been sitting on the counter for a few hours with lots of people dipping into it, it should probably be discarded.

To reheat, warm small portions in the microwave until heated through.

Hearty Appetizers

Mexican Corn Dip – Skinny and Easy to Make!

Best Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe

Mexican Spinach Dip Recipe – great for parties!

Toasted Cheese Ravioli with Pizza Sauce – with video!

Browse All

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Refried bean dip with a chip being dipped in it.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Refried Bean Dip

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
12 servings
Print Rate Recipe
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Ridiculously easy and perfect for game day, refried bean dip is a hearty appetizer that everyone loves. Perfect with tortilla chips!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cans (16 oz. each) refried beans (see note)
  • 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chiles
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (from ½ lime)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder (more or less to taste)
  • 1 ½ cups Mexican blend shredded cheese, divided
  • Toppings as desired: cilantro, green onion, jalapeño, tomato, avocado
  • Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 11 x 7 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese until smooth and slightly fluffy. Add refried beans, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne powder. Beat until combined. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese (reserve 1/2 cup).
  • Spread evenly in prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and dip is heated through.
  • Garnish with desired toppings and serve.

Notes

  • If you prefer making your own refried beans using dried beans, try crockpot refried beans or Instant Pot refried beans. Each 16 oz. can contains about 1¾ cups so you’ll need 3½ cups total.
  • Nutrition information does not include toppings or tortilla chips.
  • Recipe has been updated 5/2022.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 498mg, Potassium: 82mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 217IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 177mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. Crafty Chick @CreativeIsCool.com says

    February 2, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    I have been wondering how to use the little tortilla boats! Sounds great for game day!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 6, 2017 at 6:05 am

      They have so many fun uses!

      Reply
  2. Kristen Chidsey says

    February 1, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    These are so great! And you should host! We have been asked by our son to keep it just us so he can focus on the Falcons–isn’t that funny?! He is 11. Oh well, we will see if that plan pans out–I am all party!

    Reply
  3. 2pots2cook says

    February 1, 2017 at 4:21 am

    Perfect: everyone can make a combination for their own ! Great creation. Thank you and have a nice day !

    Reply
  4. Christy Denney says

    January 31, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    I just can’t get over how much I want to eat this.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 1, 2017 at 6:48 am

      :) Do it!

      Reply
  5. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    January 31, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    Looks great! Perfect bite size treats.

    Reply
  6. Sues says

    January 30, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    Love these little boats!! So perfect for a “big game” (so lame) party… Or just for snacking on all by myself :)

    Reply
  7. Denise says

    January 30, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    looks like a fun treat

    Reply

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