Bean Dip Recipe

This easy cheesy bean dip is ready to enjoy in only 30 minutes. It’s a favorite to eat with chips, tacos, or any Mexican dish!

It’s not a party without some good dip recipes—and especially bean dip. This one has to be our #1 choice, but we also have a love for 7 Layer Bean Dip, Black Bean Dip, and Crock Pot Bean Dip.

Chip being dipped into the best bean dip.

our All-Time Favorite Bean Dip!

Do you love bean dip as much as we do? This favorite bean dip is filled with sour cream, cream cheese, and LOADS of cheese!

We serve this bean dip with some of our favorite Mexican recipes, including rice, tacos, enchiladas (chicken and cheese), and a few others. We also like to serve it alongside our favorite Salsa recipes with a bowl of Tortilla Chips!

It’s so tasty and simple, that it’s become a standard at most functions. It reminds us of a bean dip we love at one of our favorite restaurants in Arizona, and I promise you that you will love how easy and tasty it is!

Combining cream cheese and refried beans in a white bowl.

How to Make BEAN Dip

I knew cream cheese had to be in the recipe and was so excited to experiment and find a recipe for bean dip with cream cheese that the whole family enjoyed.

I finally figured out the perfect combination of ingredients and it turns out it only took these 6 ingredients!

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

COMBINE. In a medium bowl, mix beans, sour cream, and cream cheese until well combined. Add taco seasoning and salsa and stir to combine.

BAKE + ENJOY! Pour into an 8-x-8-inch baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve hot with Tortilla Chips.

A white bowl filled with taco seasoning.

Variations

This bean dip recipe is really forgiving, meaning you can adjust the ingredients to the flavor of your liking, and it will still come out fantastic.

Some variations include:

  • Spice it up by adding sliced jalapenos, green chiles, and roasted red peppers. Use spicy taco mix, hot salsa, or chili powder.
  • Add a protein like cooked ground beef or shredded chicken.
  • Add seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, or cumin.
  • Change the cheese. A Mexican cheese blend uses cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, asadero cheese, and queso quesadilla cheese. You can make your own blend using those cheese.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.
Adding salsa to bean and cream cheeese mixture.

Serving & Storing

What to serve refried bean dip with? Here are some of our favorite items:

Make ahead of time. Make Mexican bean dip ahead of time by just mixing all the ingredients together (except the shredded cheese), and keeping it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it. It would keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 or 3 days before baking.

Leftover homemade bean dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days or frozen for 2-3 months.

Reheat. Easily reheat leftovers in the microwave. For a large amount, put it in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.

A slow cooker filled with bean dip topped with shredded cheese.

slow cooker Version

If time permits, let this bean and cheese dip cook for a few hours and make this dip in the crock pot.

ASSEMBLE. Simply mix all the ingredients together (minus the shredded cheese). Put half of the bean dip in the crock pot and cover it with half of the cheese. Next, add the rest of the bean dip, and top with the remaining cheese.

HEAT. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until the dip is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Chip being dipped into Bean Dip Recipe.

Recipe FAQ

How long can I keep bean dip warm in a slow cooker?

Using a slow cooker to keep easy bean dip warm during a party is a great idea. It can stay on the warm setting for up to 4 hours.

What is the difference between bean dip and refried beans?

Refried beans are used to make dip. There are a variety of different bean dip recipes. This recipe mixes refried beans with cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, taco seasonings, and cheese.

Can I make bean dip ahead of time?

Just mix all the ingredients together 2-3 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. You can also bake it and then freeze it for 2-3 months. Just thaw and reheat before serving.

For More Dip Recipes, Check Out:

Bean Dip Recipe

4.99 from 249 votes
This easy cheesy bean dip is ready to enjoy in only 30 minutes. It's a favorite to eat with chips, tacos, or any Mexican dish!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 159 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup salsa store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl, mix beans, sour cream, and cream cheese until well combined. Add taco seasoning and salsa and stir to combine.
  • Pour into an 8-x-8-inch baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
  • Serve hot with tortilla chips.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Mix all ingredients together except the shredded cheese and place in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Add shredded cheese right before baking.
Slow Cooker Directions. Mix all the ingredients together except the shredded cheese. Spoon half of the bean dip into the slow cooker and cover with half of the cheese, then add the rest of the bean dip and top with the remaining cheese. Cook on low for 2–3 hours, or until the dip is heated through and the cheese is melted.

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




Comments:

  1. This looks amazing, and very similar to a fabulous dip I had at a party last month. NOW, I have the recipe and can’t wait to try it!

    1. Thanks, Melanie! You’ll have to let me know if you give it a try – it’s really so good!! PS – How was Haven?

  2. This looks yummy! I’ve made one with cream cheese cheese before and it was SO good! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

  3. I made this dip for my family and they loved it!
    I thought the cream cheese would make it taste “different” but it just made it taste fab!
    Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Mexican cheese is usually a blend of different cheeses like Moneterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Cheddar, etc. but you can use your favorite kind of cheese. 😉

  4. Oh my look so delicious. Just checking, is the cream cheese you use like Philly cream cheese (i.e. for cheesecakes from the cold section of the supermarket?) I am looking from Australia and there is also a jar version – just wanted to check I was buying the right one!

  5. I just made this dip and have a comment. I think there is too much sour cream in the recipe. With the cream cheese and a whole cup of sour cream, the dip had very little bean flavor. Next time I will either cut the sour cream down to 1/2 cup or I will add another can of refried beans. Also one cup of cheese on top would be too much. I just covered the dip with a light layer of cheese. The dip could be really good with a few tweaks…less creamy ingredients…more bean flavor. I didn’t have taco mix so I used some Cholula hot sauce in the dip…

    1. Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping by. As always, all recipes here can be modified to your liking. We love sour cream and cheese and love the recipe the way it is, but you are welcome to change it to your liking. 😉

  6. 5 stars
    I love this dip! PLUS I love all your other ones below, so now to choose! I plan on making a few dips for New Year’s Eve.. perfect for my party!

  7. I love all the cheesy goodness in this dip! I could make it and enjoy it all to myself! Yum!

  8. 5 stars
    Just stumbled across this recipe and made it for lunch because I had the ingredients on hand. I used spicy Black refried beans and spicy blend taco cheese. I had forgotten to soften the cream cheese so it wouldn’t stir in. So pulled out my hand mixer and whipped it so the cream cheese would break down. It came out super fluffy and creamy. Great Recipe Thanks for posting!

  9. 5 stars
    This is a bland version from what I use. Replace the taco packet with enchilada packet and the refried beans with the beans with green chillies. It’s not to hot but lots more flavor.

  10. Why did you say, “Combine beans, sour cream, and cream cheese in a bowl until well combined”, even though the sour cream is missing on your ingredient list?

  11. I make something similar but increase the salsa and add canned chili! I cube 2 packages of cream cheese and lay on the bottom of a (9×9?) casserole dish. Spoon over a small jar of salsa of choice, then two jars of chili with beans. Sprinkle with cheddar and bake at 350 until cheese is melted and it’s heated through! It’s always a hit!

  12. 5 stars
    One of my absolute favorite things to take to a potluck/party or just make for myself. Super easy, always have the ingredients on hand, gives me a great way to use up those taco seasoning packets that always seem to accumulate in my pantry, and, most importantly, it tastes phenomenal. Quite frankly, this bean dip is lit.

    (I would rate this 5 stars, but the website won’t let me select it :/ )

  13. I’ve been looking for some recipes from Gecko Grill for awhile, since my parents took me there while visiting them. I love there crab chili’s rellanos and the sauce is to die for. But thank you so much for the recipe for the cream cheese bean dip. In going to make it for the Super Bowl 2017.

  14. 5 stars
    I love all these easy recipes that you put on. We love mexican food but we always loved to eat at Chee Chee”s but than they went out of business. Have you made any of there recipes before ? If so I would love to make some of them. I have M.S. and have brain fog alot so I have to keep looking at the recipe to be able to make things otherwise i forget and then sometimes my recipes with lots of ingredients don’t turn out. Thank you so much for all the recipes I just printed out of yours. Debbie

    1. I have never tried making their recipes. I hope you like some of the ones you printed! I could eat Mexican food every day! Thanks for stopping by!

  15. 5 stars
    Needed a tasty way to get rid of the 500 bags of Frito chips that come in the variety pack…(why so many? The world may never know)…and this recipe was perfect! So good! I was dipping before I could even get it into the oven. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Haha!! It does come with a lot and this is the perfect recipe to use them with! So, glad you liked it! Thanks!

  16. I made this and brought it to a BBQ dinner today! It was easy to make, fast, delicious, and got a lot of positive reviews! I’ll definitely make this one again! (Minor modifications: I added the entire package of cream cheese and sprinkled some chopped green onion on top of the cheese .) yum!

      1. 5 stars
        This recipe looks soo good. I will try it today. Do you think it would be good if I added browned ground meat?

  17. 5 stars
    Your recipes look and sound very delicious. I love the chip dips. First time looking, so I have a lot to look at and find other recipes I want to make. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes.

    1. You are so sweet!! I’d love to know what you think of the ones you try! Hope you find some that look good to you 🙂

  18. 5 stars
    This was so delicious! I loved it!! Thank yo for all your wonderful recipes!!! Everything always tastes good and turns out well for me!!

  19. 5 stars
    Going to try your Cream Cheese Bean Dip…it sounds absolutely awesome!
    I see other recipes that I will try too…enjoy your blog!!

  20. I love your website. It is easy to read and print. Love the pictures. It is so much better than the other sites I have been visiting. Thanks!!

    1. You are so sweet! Thank you so much for letting me know!! I am glad you do & I am glad you liked the bean dip!

  21. 5 stars
    Fast – Easy – Delicious. We doubled the beans because we like beans. It’s even good cold.

    Only changes are I leave out the salsa – that goes as a side – add the cheese (and sliced black olives) after the bake to keep the cheese from setting ir burning on top. This is so easy and customizable.

    Thanks for this new addiction.

  22. 5 stars
    I love how easy & cheesy this dip is! Chips & dip is our favorite snack & appetizer, especially bean dip. This was perfect!

  23. 5 stars
    You just cant get enough of this dip. It has all the ingredients that I like and is so easy to put together. Great appetizer for a Party!

  24. 5 stars
    Made this tonight for my family plus two neighbor families and it was such a hit! My husband told me before he isn’t a big Bean dip fan…he ate half of it by himself! Will be making it again soon!

    1. Haha!! That’s what they all say, until they try 🙂 Thank you so much for making it & for letting me know!

  25. 5 stars
    This recipe looks so yummy. I want to thank you for taking your precious time to share with others. People like me so appreciate people like you! Blessings.

  26. 5 stars
    This came across one of my posts Today.. I can’t wait to try the bean dip.. Having a family get together this weekend.. So it’s going to be tried out then..

  27. 5 stars
    I have made the three ingredient ingredients chili cheese dip and it was quick and easy to make and was delicious . I am going to try the refried bean/cheese dip next. Thank you for sharing such great recipes .

  28. 5 stars
    I made this dip last night with jusT a little less sour cream and taco seasoning called for. I added a dash of hot sauce and no salsa. It was extremely tasty, & i am definitely Putting this in my recipe box! ThaNks! 🙂

  29. 5 stars
    This dip was DELISH!!! It was a hit…made for a birthday party and it was gone in seconds…the only thing I added was enchilada sauce i poured some on top then put the cheese..mmm mmm!!!

  30. I make a similar dip with refried beans, no bean canned chili and cream cheese. It is always a hit – and so easy. I’m going to have to add some sour cream – never though of that. Thanks for the inspiration.

  31. 5 stars
    This was so so so good. I used a can of annies ORGANIC refRied black beans. They are so flavorful thAt you can omit the taco seasoning pacKet. I aTe half the pan myself. This would be a perfect appetizer if youre having people over as well.

  32. 5 stars
    Delicious dip made by recipe! I made it next and added two shredded chicken breasts and it was amazing! In tortillas too!

  33. 5 stars
    I made this iver the sunmer and peopke taved about it!
    Making it again for Thanksgiving
    Cant wait to hear hiw a new criwd likes it!

  34. 4 stars
    I made this as a side dish. I did add some garlic and onion powder. I’m not fond of refried beans, but my husband likes them. I find them boring, these are spiced up some.

  35. 5 stars
    I used to make this Dip all tHe time and kind of forgot about it. Now that i am No longer eating meat, its perfect and quick to make ☺️

  36. 5 stars
    Stumbled across your website looking for Fast family recipes to make dUring this Boring quarAntine. The bean diP recipe was a lifesaver and a big hit! All 3 kids, grandparents and myself gobbled it up! So easy to make!

  37. 5 stars
    This is so easy to make and it has been requested by everyone in my household.

    This deserves more than a 5

  38. 5 stars
    This was a super duper hit on Christmas Eve! I used LaMexicana Cantina Style salsa in it and served it with tortilla chips! It got rave reviews! Will definitely make it again!

  39. 5 stars
    I made this tonight. It was very good! This will be my new go to recipe for home and potlucks. Thank you for sharing.

      1. 5 stars
        Second time I’m making since New Year’s 2022. My entire family absolutely loves this. I especially love it because it couldn’t be easier and that way you still have time to visit with your family. Today is just simply a little extra treat 😋

  40. Can this dip be frozen? I know my hubby and I will take a while o consume this so hope to freeze half for later. Or would you rather recommend making half the recipe?

    1. Sure! I’d recommend letting it defrost in the fridge, then warming it up again in the oven when ready to eat.

    2. 5 stars
      Simply delish!!!! I make my own salsa and didn’t have a taco seasoning packet, so I also made my own… soooo yummy!!!!

    1. Yes, you definitely can double it! I’d suggest putting the doubled recipe in a 9X13 pan if combining all together. Otherwise, you can do two 8X8 pans. So glad you enjoy the dip!

  41. 5 stars
    This bean dip has become a staple in our house! We eat a lot of Mexican food and no meal is complete without this bean dip! It’s a hit at every party we bring it to, as well. So. Dang. Good.

  42. 5 stars
    We love this! I let my kids pick a recipe for a family party we were having, and my son found this. Everyone – young and old loved it!

  43. 5 stars
    This recipe is simple and delicious! We make up a batch for movie night because dip and chips is better than popcorn!! My family loves this!

  44. 5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe. Made do w/ substitutes and tried it via the microwave instead of the oven since I had limited ingredients. It was still tasty with chips. Will try this with the oven next time! 🙂

    1. You bet! Simply mix all the ingredients together (minus the shredded cheese). Put half of the bean dip in the crock pot and cover with half of the cheese. Next, add the rest of the bean dip, and top with the remaining cheese.

      Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until the dip is heated through and the cheese is melted.

  45. 5 stars
    This is PERFECT party food! If it was Superbowl season I would definitely be serving this then! But I’ll bring it to my next potluck! I’m positive it will be a hit!

  46. 5 stars
    I love how simple and easy this bean dip is! It’s my new go-to dip recipe for our taco night. So rich in flavor and savory!

  47. 5 stars
    I go ham for the mexican restaurants that have cheese in their bean dip, and this is a great and delicious way to make this at home! thnk you so much for sharing this recipe

  48. 5 stars
    I could sit & eat the whole bowl of this bean dip!! It’s so cheesy & delicious!! It’s a must any time we have Mexican food!!

  49. 5 stars
    I appreciate you including slow cooker instructions. It made it handy to be able to set out the cooker and serve the warm dip.

    1. Honestly, any size would work fine. But 6 or 7 quart is probably your pretty standard size for this recipe.