Creamy White Bean Artichoke Dip: Your Go-To Healthy & Easy Appetizer
Craving a delicious and healthy dip that’s easy to make? This White Bean Artichoke Dip is your perfect answer! Blending the creamy texture of white beans with the tangy bite of artichokes, fresh lemon, aromatic basil, and a touch of Parmesan cheese creates an irresistible appetizer, a wholesome snack, or a flavorful spread for sandwiches and wraps. It’s a versatile dish that promises both incredible taste and nourishing ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This White Bean Artichoke Dip
I am a huge fan of healthy, light dips, and honestly, I try to whip up at least one batch every week. There’s nothing quite like having a delicious, nutritious snack readily available for those moments when hunger strikes. This particular White Bean Artichoke Dip stands out as a personal favorite because it’s not only incredibly quick to prepare but also packed with protein from the humble white beans.
This dip is a delightful medley of flavors and textures, featuring cannellini beans, tender artichoke hearts, pungent garlic, savory Parmesan cheese, rich olive oil, fresh basil, and a hint of Mediterranean spices like Italian seasoning, oregano, and a touch of crushed red pepper for a gentle kick. A generous squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up, and the dip is finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil and parsley for an inviting aroma and visual appeal. It’s truly a wholesome snack that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
What makes this dip truly remarkable is its incredible versatility. I love serving it with a colorful array of fresh vegetables, crispy crostini, or crunchy pita chips for a classic appetizer spread. Beyond that, it makes an excellent spread for wraps and sandwiches, adding a creamy, flavorful layer. You can even dollop a spoonful into a rice bowl or salad for an extra boost of protein and taste. If you’re a fan of artichoke dips, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new staple in your kitchen!
For a warm and comforting variation, I’ve even heated this dip in the oven until it’s bubbly, topped with extra Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. It transforms into a gooey, savory delight that’s perfect for colder evenings or as a hearty game-day offering. Whether served chilled or warm, this dip is always a crowd-plepleaser at any tailgate or get-together.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect White Bean Artichoke Dip
The beauty of this dip lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients:
- Cannellini Beans: These creamy white beans are the base of our dip, offering a smooth texture and a fantastic source of plant-based protein and fiber, making the dip incredibly filling and nutritious.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide an essential aromatic and pungent flavor that elevates the entire dip.
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts: Using marinated artichoke hearts adds a wonderful tangy, briny flavor and a tender texture. Don’t discard a couple of teaspoons of the marinade; it adds an extra layer of savory depth to the dip!
- Parmesan Cheese: A touch of grated Parmesan cheese introduces a salty, umami richness that complements the other ingredients beautifully. For a dairy-free or vegan option, this can be omitted or replaced with a nutritional yeast blend.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil contributes healthy fats and helps achieve that luscious, creamy consistency. It’s crucial for the dip’s smooth finish.
- Fresh Basil: The vibrant, sweet, and peppery notes of fresh basil are indispensable for an authentic Mediterranean flavor.
- Spices (Italian Seasoning, Oregano, Crushed Red Pepper): A blend of classic Italian seasoning and oregano provides a warm, herbaceous backbone, while crushed red pepper offers an optional, subtle heat that awakens the palate.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a game-changer, providing a bright, zesty counterpoint to the richness of the beans and oil, ensuring the dip is perfectly balanced and refreshing.
How to Make This Creamy White Bean Dip
Making this White Bean Artichoke Dip is incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort and just a few minutes in a food processor or blender. Follow these easy steps for a perfectly smooth and flavorful dip:
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Prepare the Base: In your food processor or high-speed blender, combine the drained and rinsed white beans, smashed garlic cloves, marinated artichoke hearts (including two teaspoons of their marinade for extra flavor), and Parmesan cheese. Process these ingredients for about 1 minute, until they start to break down and combine.
All the ingredients are added to the food processor, ready to be blended. - Achieve Creamy Texture: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Continue blending for another 1-2 minutes until the dip becomes smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a little more olive oil, a teaspoon at a time, until desired thickness is reached.
- Season and Brighten: Add the fresh basil leaves, Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper (if using) to the food processor. Pour in the lemon juice. Continue to blend for another 1-2 minutes to fully incorporate the herbs and spices.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the dip and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Adjust any other seasonings if necessary.
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Serve and Garnish: Transfer the finished dip to a beautiful serving bowl. Garnish generously with fresh basil leaves, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of za’atar for an authentic touch. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers like crostini, pita chips, or an assortment of fresh vegetables.
The perfectly blended White Bean Artichoke Dip, smooth and ready to serve.
Ways to Customize This White Bean Artichoke Dip
One of the best things about this White Bean Artichoke Dip is how easily it can be adapted to suit your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ways to modify and enhance your dip:
- Herbs: While fresh basil is a star in this recipe, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fresh herbs. Fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill would all add unique bursts of freshness and color, making the dip even more dynamic. Consider a mix of herbs for a more complex profile.
- Lemon Zest: For an extra layer of bright, citrusy flavor, add some grated lemon zest along with the juice. It provides a more intense lemon aroma and helps to cut through the richness of the beans, balancing the creaminess beautifully.
- Spice It Up: The spices in this dip are highly customizable. Beyond the recommended Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper, try incorporating other favorites. A pinch of paprika or smoked paprika can add warmth and a subtle smoky depth. If you love a bolder flavor, a dash of cayenne pepper will give it a fiery kick. I often sprinkle za’atar on top as a garnish, but you could also blend a small amount into the dip itself for an earthy, tangy undertone.
- Garlic Variations: While fresh garlic is excellent, roasted garlic offers a wonderfully mellow, sweet, and caramelized flavor. Roast a few garlic cloves until they are soft and golden, then add them to the food processor. This slight change can transform the dip into something truly special.
- Crunchy Additions: Toasted pine nuts are a fantastic addition, providing a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts with the creamy dip. Simply toast them lightly in a dry pan before adding.
- Olives: For a bold, briny, and savory kick, finely chop some Kalamata or green olives and mix them into the dip. Their saltiness perfectly complements the artichokes.
- Pesto Swirl: For an instant burst of herby and garlicky goodness, swirl in a dollop of your favorite homemade or store-bought pesto. This adds depth and a beautiful marbled effect.
- Feta Cheese: Crumble some salty feta cheese into the dip for a tangy, briny element. Feta pairs exceptionally well with artichokes and lemon.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Blend in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes (either oil-packed or rehydrated) for a sweet, tangy, and intensely savory twist that adds a rich, concentrated flavor.
- Adjusting Consistency with Oil: If your dip turns out thicker than you prefer, don’t worry! Slowly add more extra virgin olive oil while the blender or food processor is running, a teaspoon at a time. This will help thin it out and achieve a smoother, silkier texture without diluting the flavor.
Other Healthy Dips You Might Enjoy
If you love this White Bean Artichoke Dip, you’re sure to enjoy some of my other favorite healthy dip recipes:
- Lemon Whipped Feta Dip
- Baba Ghanoush
- Layered Greek Dip
- Easy Beet Hummus
- Lebanese Hummus Recipe
- Easy Guacamole
- Ful Medames
- Lemon Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Hummus Platter
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Greek Yogurt Dip
- Lemon Hummus
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White Bean Artichoke Dip
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Ingredients
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
- 6 oz. marinated artichoke hearts, + 2 teaspoons of the marinade that the artichokes are in {optional for flavor}
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
- 5-6 basil , + more for garnish
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper , {optional}
- 1/2 lemon, juiced {about 2 Tablespoons for me} + lemon zest for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- basil, garnish
- parsley, garnish
- Za’atar, for garnish
Instructions
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Place the white beans, garlic, artichokes and Parmesan cheese and marinade in the food processor and blend for 1 minute.
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Slowly add the 2 tbsps. of extra virgin olive oil as you run the motor and blend for another 1 minute or until the dip begins to become smooth and creamy. Add more olive oil if you want a smoother, thinner texture.
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Add the basil leaves, Italian seasoning, oregano, crushed red pepper and
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lemon juice to the food processor and continue to blend for another 1 – 2 minutes.
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Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Put the dip into a serving bowl and garnish with fresh basil, parsley and za’atar. Serve with crostini, pita chips and vegetables.
Notes
- If your dip is too chunky add more lemon juice or extra virgin olive oil as need to thin it out. You want to be careful not to add too much liquid as it can water down the dip and make it too thin.
- Store the dip in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s recipe is sponsored by Heinen’s. As always, opinions are 100% my own.