This crowd-pleasing appetizer takes less than 30 minutes to make. Cheesy, creamy, and dippable, 3-ingredient bean dip won’t last long! It requires minimal effort for maximum flavor.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Who can resist a classic bean dip covered in melty cheese? Here’s why you need this irresistible dip:
- Only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time
- Delicious addition to your favorite Mexican recipes
- Budget-friendly for a crowd
Enjoy this hot and bubbly dip with a side of tortilla chips, nachos, crackers, or sliced bell peppers!
Key Ingredient Notes:
This’s the best bean dip and it only requires three simple ingredients, so make them count!
- Refried beans – Since refried beans are the foundation of this recipe, it’s important to buy a quality brand with good flavor. Rosarita and Gebhardt are solid choices.
- Salsa – As for salsa, make sure it’s not too runny. The thicker, the better! Or the dip will get too runny. Also, you can choose hot, medium, or mild, whatever your heart desires. I love mine spicy!
- Cheese – I used a mix of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and monterey jack cheese, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
How to make this dip:
- First, preheat the oven so it’s up to temperature once you’ve assembled the dip. Lightly spray the baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Layer the refried beans and the salsa in the baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake until the cheeses are hot and bubbly – about 25 minutes or so.
- Top with fresh cilantro, enjoy warm with tortilla chips.
Tips for Success:
- Since this recipe relies on three ingredients, it’s best to use high-quality ingredients. Purchase brands you know and love!
- If you prefer, you can swap out the refried beans for refried black beans!
- Toppings aren’t necessary, but always delicious! Sour cream, sliced avocado, cherry tomato halves, pickled jalapenos, diced red onion, or scallions are great options!
- For a little heat, stir canned green chiles into the refried beans before layering.
- For a flavor boost, stir taco seasoning into the refried beans before layering.
Make-Ahead Tips:
Since refried bean dip is so quick to put together, it doesn’t save much time assembling ahead of time but you certainly can! Cover the bean dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Storing Tips:
- Store bean dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For best results, reheat the dip in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The microwave works too if you’re short on time.
- To freeze, transfer the cooled bean dip into a sealed freezer-safe container. Use within 2 months for best results.
- Let the bean dip defrost in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven or microwave.
Leftover Ideas:
- Use it to make quick tostadas! Top baked corn tortillas with leftover bean dip and cooked ground beef. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
- Spread into a flour tortilla with extra cheese for an easy, flavorful quesadilla. Grill or warm in a hot skillet.
- Top tortilla chips with lots of cheese and leftover dip then bake! Top with lettuce, sour cream, and diced tomatoes for kid-friendly nachos!
FAQs:
Bean dip is just like it sounds, a dip with beans as the main ingredient, typically refried beans. Many contain cream cheese or sour cream, salsa, and shredded cheese! It’s served with tortilla chips, nachos, or crackers.
It’s not safe to leave bean dip on the counter overnight. It should be refrigerated to prevent harmful bacteria from making you sick.
Tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels, sliced bell peppers, or Fritos are perfect dippers! You can also serve it as a side dish!
More Amazing Dips:
If you love a cheesy dip, try one of these delicious dips!
I found this bean dip in one of the cookbooks I own, The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook, edited by fabulous suspense novel writer and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, Kate White (I’m sure you know her!)
Now, go ahead and add this to your next game day menu. 😉
3-Ingredient Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 1 (16oz/450gr) can refried beans Note 1
- 16 oz (450g) salsa Note 2
- 12 oz (350g) grated cheese Note 3
For serving:
- Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish, optional
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking pan with a cooking spray.
- Layer the beans and salsa in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cheeses evenly on top.
- Bake it for about 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and slightly brown.
- Top with fresh cilantro and serve warm with tortilla chips.
Tips & Notes:
– Store bean dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
– For best results, reheat the dip in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The microwave works too if you’re short on time.
– To freeze, scoop the cooled bean dip into a sealed freezer-safe container. Use within 2 months for best results.
– Let the bean dip defrost in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven.
Nutrition Facts:
This recipe was originally published on September 28th, 2015.
Susie E. says
Nice recipe excpet I don’t see how to layer the base, is it beans on bottom, then salsa in middle (cheese last of course)? Thanks Susie E.
Shinee says
Yes, spread the beans on the bottom, then salsa and top with cheese. There’s a video in the post that shows the entire process. 😉
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Love simple, this is a great dip Shinee!! Even without the beer. (!)
Shinee says
Thanks, Allie!
Stacy says
Yes I does. Â Thank you. Â
Stacy says
Can I make the bean dip the day before then heat it the next day.Â
Shinee says
Hi, Stacy. You can layer everything and refrigerate it. Then bake it when you’re ready to serve. Hope this helps.
mckenzie says
I love that this only has three ingredients and looks SO YUMMY! I think that this would be perfect for so many events! Thanks for the share!
Shinee says
Agreed! Thanks, Mckenzie. 🙂
Angela says
Hi! This sounds delicious! Thanks so much for sharing it at The Wednesday Roundup!! ~Angela~ LeMoine Family KitchenÂ
Shinee says
Thanks, Angela!
Cheryl says
Can’t wait to try this! So simple and looks so good! Thanks
Shinee says
Thank you, Cheryl!
Nan a.k.a Granny Fabulosa says
How can anything that looks that good be that simple? Â Awesome!
Shinee says
Right?? 🙂 Thanks, Nan!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
I love this recipe for bean dip. Simple but full of flavor! Pinning!
Shinee says
Thanks, Lauren!
[email protected] says
This sounds so good and I love that it has just 3 ingredients! Â Thanks for sharing on “Best of the Weekend” so that I could discover this yummy idea.
Shinee says
Sure thing, Paula. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
pam says
This is my kind of recipe!!! Â
Shinee says
🙂 Glad you liked it, Pam. Thanks!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
Yay, this looks so yummy and so simple to whip up! Sometimes other game day foods that you want to make require so much attention that it’s hard to create full game day spreads. I rely on simple recipes like this to be able to put out a few options for my friends and I to enjoy. I love all that cheesy goodness!
And yes, show us your bump! I’m so happy for you <3
Shinee says
Yes, we definitely need a few simply and easy party food ideas on hand, don’t we? 🙂 Thanks, Beeta, for stopping by.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
That shot of the chip with the melty cheese… drooling! Pinning 🙂
Shinee says
Haha love melty cheese!