Recipe of the Day: Rosemary-Lemon White Bean Dip (2024)

By Mark Bittman

June 5, 2008 11:10 am

The secret to this puree, which Lidia Bastianich taught me about 10 years ago, is grated lemon zest, which transforms it. And though its most obvious use is as a dip, it can also form the basis of a wonderful sandwich. Or serve it at the center of a plate of lightly and simply cooked vegetables.

Print Recipe

Rosemary-Lemon White Bean Dip

Yield 2 cups

Time 10 minutes using precooked or canned beans

Mark Bittman

Recipe of the Day: Rosemary-Lemon White Bean Dip (1)

Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked white beans, like cannelini, drained but moist
  • 1 to 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • Grated rind of 2 lemons
Method
  • 1. Put the beans in the container of a food processor with 1 clove of garlic and a healthy pinch of salt. Turn the machine on, and add the 1/4 cup olive oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until the mixture is smooth. Taste, and add more garlic if you like; then, puree the mixture again.
  • 2. Place the mixture in a bowl, and use a wooden spoon to beat in the rosemary, lemon zest and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste, and add more salt and pepper as needed. Use immediately, or refrigerate for as long as 3 days.

Source: The New York Times

Comments are no longer being accepted.

I made this and it was sooooo good. The lemon zest gives it almost a candied flavor, while the rosemary is earthy and minty.

Robert Rothman June 5, 2008 · 11:43 am

Given that white beans and rosemary are both classic accompaniments to lamb, I would think that this dish is just made to be served with a nice lamb roast.

vivian June 5, 2008 · 12:39 pm

……especially delicious when using Meyer lemons!

Brad June 5, 2008 · 1:24 pm

I use a schmear of this to make the perfect tomato-based bruschetta. It forms a great layer between the toasted bread and the toppings, acting as a heat insulator, keeping the watery tomatoes from sogging up the crispy bread, and acting as glue to prevent the topping from falling off everywhere when bitten into.

Connie June 5, 2008 · 2:13 pm

My husband has been making this for years; I don’t know where he got the recipe. Of course, I think grated lemon rind is one of those ingredients that make almost everything taste better, although not always in so generous quantities as here. Another way to use this is to thin it with stock for a creamy soup. Serve hot or cold.

angela June 5, 2008 · 3:37 pm

This is my favorite thing from Minimalist Cooks at Home. Favorite! Deceptively simple and oh-so-versatile. This recipe is half the reason I’m happy to have a 5-foot rosemary shrub in the front yard.

Leila Abu-Saba June 5, 2008 · 6:13 pm

Great idea on the bruschetta, Brad.

Just want to note that this recipe is tailor-made for us Californians when we’re feeling poor, because the rosemary and the lemons can be had for the foraging in any neighborhood. OK you have to have olive oil and white beans on hand, but still. I will get a Meyer from my neighbor and try it.

Also – white beans in the pressure cooker, yay!

In fact I think I’ll blog this at Dove’s Eye View – I intermittently run “frugal food” recipes as antidote to our economic hard times. Might as well enjoy eating on a budget… Many of Mark’s recipes are good choices for the frugal cook.

Shannon June 6, 2008 · 2:57 pm

The great thing about this dip is that you can really spice it up any way you like! I made it last night and replaced the rosemary with cilantro and jalepenos, because that is what I had on hand. I also used some of the lemon juice and a little less of the rind. It was wonderful!

Priscilla Feral June 6, 2008 · 8:29 pm

Lemon zest is underrated and it must be a new trend as it delivers a quality unmatched by lemon juice — having none of the acidity. Will make this recipe this weekend.

akahn June 11, 2008 · 10:51 am

Hey Mark,
I randomly have a can of butter beans, which I’ve never cooked with before. How do you think those would do for this dip?
Thanks,
Alex

joey June 18, 2008 · 1:11 am

mmm… deliciously delicious! i couldn’t find the dried beans in the store, thus requiring me to use canned white cannellini beans. but if those created the amazing dip i made, then i can’t even imagine what fresh cooked beans would create!

Jen June 20, 2008 · 11:38 am

I just prepared this, but adapted it a little–I didn’t have any rosemary on hand, so used fresh mint; thought full-on garlic might be overpowering so used garlic scapes; and wanted to use less olive oil, so halved that amount and made it up with the juice of one lemon. Delicious!

la stomach July 18, 2008 · 2:07 am

How about trying this as a sauce for a pizza! The creamy white beans with a little garlic kick are wonderful complement to a sausage, cipollini, and chard pizza pie. In fact, Mr. Bittman inspired the entire meal!

//lastomach.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/pizza-pizza/

bloggerjeanne September 12, 2008 · 7:05 am

This is great as a sandwich spread on crusty bread with sliced cucumbers. Yum!

BlesseedBlogger June 29, 2010 · 1:53 am

We just made this dip Sunday to have as a snack during the week and it came out very nicely. We bumped it up to 3 cups of beans and omitted the last tablespoon of oil to get enough for 14 servings (3 1/2 tablespoons each) and it came out to 1155 calories total or 83 a serving. Not to shabby!

Recipe of the Day: Rosemary-Lemon White Bean Dip (2024)

FAQs

What is white bean dip made of? ›

In a food processor, pulse the cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, salt, and pepper until combined. With the food processor running, slowly add the water and process until smooth. Blend in the fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with veggies or pita.

What does bean dip mean in slang? ›

What the heck does 'bean dip' mean? Urban Dictionary defines "bean dip" as "(flicking) a woman's (or man's) breast with the index finger." It's "dubbed 'bean dip' because the move is similar to that of scooping up bean dip," the website reads.

What did Laura say about bean dip? ›

Laura insists she was joking. Clay can't quite believe that "bean dip" is an actual thing, calling it "crazy terminology." "I didn't invent it," Laura says.

Are white kidney beans the same as cannellini beans? ›

White Kidney Beans, also known as Cannellini Beans, are large, kidney-shaped beans with a white skin. They have a soft texture, and are great ingredient for pureed dips like hummus, creamy salad dressings (i.e., Caesar salad dressing) and sauces.

What is the creamiest white bean? ›

Also called “butterbeans”, Baby Lima beans are small, smooth, and creamy with a rich, buttery texture. They're starchier than other beans and are often used in soups, stews, succotash, and casseroles, or just cooked simply with herbs and spices.

What's the difference between refried beans and bean dip? ›

While making refried beans follows a predictable set of guidelines with a few variations here and there, bean dip can be made using several ingredients, served hot or cold, and made light and smooth or extra chunky.

What is a bean dog slang? ›

Different age groups have different slang, and this is simply that. Basically, she's saying your dog is cute, and innocent. I named one of my dogs puppies(she's a rescue, she was pregnant when we got her, don't crucify me) Bean, because she looked like a giant coffee bean when she was born.

What is a dip in Southern slang? ›

Primarily in Texas and other southern US states, terminology is unique. Dip or dips refers to a wad of tobacco, whereas snuff refers to any amount of tobacco greater than a dip. For example, a tobacco user may reach for a dip from their can of snuff.

What is a bean dip love is blind? ›

What does 'Bean Dip' mean in Love Is Blind? 'Bean Dip' means raising the “underboob” of a man or woman with your index and second finger. According to Urban Dictionary, the term 'Bean Dip' refers to the act of a person raising the “underboob” of a man or woman using their index and second fingers.

What does bean dip a girl mean? ›

Urban Dictionary explains a bean dip as to “raise the underboob of a man or woman with your index and second finger,” so we can totally see why things got so awkward so quickly—and why Clay and AD were clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation.

What are the beans with thin skin? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest white bean, with thin skin and a smooth, silky interior. They're often used when you want the bean to retain their traditional kidney shape, like in salads or other recipes where beans are kept whole.

Who said bean dip on Love is Blind? ›

As Jeramey joked that Laura was "trying to set me up for some bulls---," AD explained to Clay and Jimmy that "a bean dip is like this t--ty smack ... [Laura] smacked the s--- out of my t--ties." AD eventually walked away from the conversation, but soon returned with Laura, who came over to clarify.

Which white bean is healthiest? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the best white bean? ›

Their creamy texture and mildly nutty flavor round out soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, and salads, and they make appealing dips. Our readers love them, too. Seventy-one percent say that they regularly buy cannellini beans, outstripping the next two most popular white beans: great Northern and navy.

Is bean dip just refried beans? ›

Some bean dips incorporate several bean varieties into the dish, such as three-bean dip. Raw beans that are soaked and cooked are used, as are prepared canned beans and refried beans. The use of canned beans can result in a creamier dip, because beans prepared in canneries are pressure-cooked in the can.

What kind of bean is a white bean? ›

What is a White Bean? Some recipes simply call for “white beans.” This is a general term for great northern beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and other similar beans.

What is white bean hummus made of? ›

Creamy White Bean Hummus, Mediterranean Style

The creamiest hummus made from white beans, with delicious Mediterranean toppings! Use a food processor to puree the beans, olive oil, tahini, and lemon juice. Top with fresh herbs and pine nuts.

Are white beans cannellini or butter beans? ›

White beans are a family of beans, including Cannellini, navy, Great Northern, and butter beans. Although each variety is wonderfully versatile, they do have unique qualities. Cannellini beans are large and firm, so they hold up well in low and slow recipes like stews.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5769

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.