Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip

Wanna turn a can of white beans into a luscious party snack? All you need is some roasted garlic and a food processor.

Whenever I’m hosting a party, or am invited to a potluck, I always make at least one dip. It’s an easy contribution that often requires zero actual cooking, takes minutes, yet never fails to impress people – since most of us are so used to store-bought hummus, salsa, and the like.

(Sidebar: Can’t talk about dip and not pay homage to this iconic Mad Men scene with Pete Campbell’s chip-and-dip!)

Along with muhammara and this Mexican-ish black bean dip, this creamy roasted garlic white bean dip is one of my go-to’s. It has just 4 vegan ingredients (not counting oil, salt, and pepper) and is so delicious I could eat the whole bowl as a meal. It’s also a fabulous hummus alternative and works well for meal prep.

The Magic of Roasted Garlic

Whereas raw garlic is pungent and a single clove can overpower an entire dish, roasted garlic is a different story.

When you drizzle a head of garlic in oil, wrap it in foil, and roast it until it shrivels up, you end up with sweet-savory garlic that’s soft enough to be spread like butter. It adds a deep, savory, but not overwhelming flavor to whatever you use it in.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

• White Beans: Cannellini are great here because they’re creamy and plump. But navy, great northern, or butter beans would also work well. Feel free to use home-cooked beans instead of canned if you have them.
• Garlic: You’ll need one whole head.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a savory, smoky flavor to tie everything together.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the dip. Squeeze a fresh lemon or use bottled juice.

How to Make Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip (Step-by-Step Photos)

Find complete instructions with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

Cut about 1/2 inch off the top of the garlic to expose the cloves. Place on a piece of foil, drizzle with oil, and wrap tightly. Roast at 400ºF for 45 to 50 minutes. The garlic is ready when the cloves are shriveled and the top is a bit browned.

Unwrap the foil and cool the garlic.

Step 2: Remove the Cloves

When the garlic is cool enough to handle, peel back the papery bits and pluck out the cloves.

Note: Some people extract roasted garlic by squeezing the whole head as if they’re wringing out a wet sock. I think this is heresy and disrespectful to the garlic, frankly – because so much of the garlic paste gets left behind.

Step 3: Purée the Dip

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and purée until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed.

Step 4: Serve the Dip

Transfer to a serving bowl, swoosh the top with the back of a spoon, and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Serve with crackers, chips, baguette slices, and/or crudités.

Other White Bean Recipes to Try

• Broccoli White Bean Soup
• Vegan Cassoulet
• Spicy White Bean “Tuna” Salad
• Avocado Bruschetta with Tomatoes and White Beans

Let me know if you try this recipe! Give it a rating below and leave a comment, and don’t forget to tag your creation with @thenewbaguette on Instagram.

The Full Recipe