Looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Loaded Black Bean Dip! It’s creamy, savory, and has just the right amount of kick, making it perfect for your next party, game day, or even a cozy night in.

Loaded Black Bean Dip is sponsored by NatureSweet®.

We love loading fresh veggies on the top of our dishes, and this is exactly that! We love using the NatureSweet® Dia De Los Muertos Medley tomatoes as the star of the dish. They are fresh, juicy, and bursting with flavor. It features a mix of red, orange and dark snacking tomatoes, packaged into a clear clamshell with a festive top seal that honors the traditional Mexican holiday. 

This recipe comes together in a flash, thanks to canned black beans and a few pantry staples. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable, so feel free to adjust the spice level or add your favorite toppings. Get ready to dip into deliciousness!

Tips for Success:

• Soften Cream Cheese: For a smoother dip, ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. This helps it blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dip, remove all the seeds and white membrane from the jalapeño. For more heat, leave some or all of them in, or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Don’t Over-Process: While you want the dip to be mostly smooth, a little texture from the beans is welcome. Avoid over-processing to prevent a paste-like consistency.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the black bean mixture (steps 1-3) up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, transfer to your baking dish and proceed with baking.
• Keep it Warm: If serving at a party, keep the dip warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting after baking.

Variations to Try:

• Smoky Flavor: Add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the cumin and chili powder for an extra layer of depth.
• Vegetarian Twist: Stir in 1/4 cup of finely diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) for added crunch and sweetness. We love using NatureSweet® Constellation Sweet and Seedless Mini Peppers.
• Southwest Flair: Incorporate 1/4 cup of frozen corn (thawed and drained) into the dip mixture for a touch of sweetness and color.
• Protein Boost: For a heartier dip, stir in 1/2 cup of cooked, shredded chicken or ground beef/turkey seasoned with taco seasoning.
• Cheesy Choices: Experiment with other cheese combinations! Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a smoked Gouda could add interesting flavors.
• Topping Extravaganza: Beyond the suggested garnishes, consider adding a dollop of guacamole, a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce, sliced black olives, or even a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
• Individual Servings: Instead of a large baking dish, bake the dip in individual ramekins for single-serving portions. Adjust baking time as needed.

Ingredients Needed for Loaded Black Bean Dip

For the Dip:

• 2 (15.5-oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 jalapeño, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar

For Garnish:

• 10 oz. NatureSweet® Día de Muertos Seasonal Medley snacking tomatoes, quartered
• 1 jalapeño, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
• Freshly chopped cilantro
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

Prep the beans: Make sure your black beans are thoroughly rinsed and drained. This helps to remove excess sodium and makes for a cleaner-tasting dip.

Combine ingredients: In a food processor, combine the rinsed black beans, softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and lime juice. Process until mostly smooth. A few small chunks are fine and add to the texture!

Add the cheese: Transfer the black bean mixture to pre-greased cast iron skillet or baking dish. Top with shredded pepper jack, and shredded cheddar.

Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Garnish and serve: While the dip is baking, prepare your garnishes. Once the dip is out of the oven, sprinkle generously with the quartered NatureSweet® tomatoes, sliced jalapeño, diced red onion, extra crumbled queso fresco, and fresh cilantro. Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips!

This Loaded Black Bean Dip is sure to be a hit at any gathering. What are your favorite dippable snacks to pair with a warm, cheesy dip? And if you’re looking for more delicious recipes, be sure to check out some of these other fantastic options from The Produce Moms:

• Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
• Chef Salad Kabobs
• Quick Caprese Flatbread Pizza
• BLT Broccoli Slaw
• Cucumber Tomato Salad

Why We Love NatureSweet®

This Loaded Black Bean dip is all about featuring the toppings, especially the Día de Muertos Seasonal Medley cherry tomatoes. NatureSweet® focuses on growing and delivering sweet, fresh, firm, and vibrant tomatoes in convenient packaging. They are easy to grab and go from the produce aisle and are stored and packaged for optimal freshness. All you do is rinse and add them to your board for a beautiful and flavorful masterpiece.  

Now that you’ve created your Loaded Black Bean Dip your family will want to keep celebrating. Be sure to try our other Día de los Muertos recipes. 

More Day of the Dead Food Ideas

• Day of the Dead Charcuterie Skull – Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a produce-filled charcuterie food art tray. 
• Chocolate Covered Pear Skulls — a sweeter treat for the Day of the Dead
• Hazelnut Butter Board — swap out the Halloween candy for skull candy
• Homemade Salsa – also made with the NatureSweet Dia de Muertos seasonal medley