Refried Bean Dip

5 from 6 votes

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This Refried Bean Dip kicks things up a notch with tabasco, chipotle, and chili seasoning for a healthy dose of spice. Seasoned simply with cumin, vinegar, and garlic, you get the best of Mexican flavors in one shareable dish. There are so many ways to enjoy this hot bean dip!

easy refried bean dip garnished with crumbled Mexican cheese in white bowl


Refried beans are flavorful and versatile. They’re great on nachos, in enchiladas or tacos, or rolled up in a burrito. Generally speaking, they’re served on the side or as a topping. But in this dip, they’re the star of the show — and rightfully so!


Making a hot bean dip with refried beans is simple and easy. Just follow along with the video below in the recipe card! Throw everything together and let your food processor do all of the work. No one will believe how easy it was to make such a delicious appetizer.


Between the chipotle pepper, chili seasoning, and hot sauce, this dip can get pretty spicy. Modify the amount of hot sauce or seasoning to adjust the heat to a level that you enjoy.


Try out my Tex Mex Cornbread Casserole, Stuffed Sweet Peppers, and Hot Corn Dip for some more Game Day friendly feasts.

Recipe video

When I said this is an easy refried bean dip to make, I wasn’t joking! All you need is a food processor and a few ingredients.

To see exactly how to make the dip, watch the video located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

bowl of spicy bean dip surrounded by chips for dipping

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

  • Bell Pepper – Sweet and fruity orange bell peppers are my preferred choice. However, red, green, or yellow would work as well.
  • Onion – A sharp white onion — sweet and still mild enough to enjoy raw — is best, though yellow onions are a safe option as well.
  • Chipotle Pepper – A staple in Mexican cuisine, these dried jalapeños can be prepped right at home
  • Refried Beans – You can either grab a can from the grocery store, or make your own!
  • Red Wine Vinegar – Deep, rich, and tangy. Balsamic or white wine vinegar could be used instead.
  • Tabasco – A hot sauce made with Mexican tabasco peppers and vinegar. You can also substitute your favorite hot sauce instead!
  • Ground Cumin – This warm, earthy spice is very aromatic. Ground coriander or paprika are good substitutions.
  • Chili Seasoning – Another great spice that you can easily make at home. It’s a great addition to any dish that could use a bit of spice.
  • Garlic Powder – Garlic adds depth, aroma, and a touch of sweetness.
  • Garnish – Top it all off with a combination of: 
    • Cotija Cheese – A dry, salty Mexican cheese.
    • Queso Fresco – Another Mexican cheese, though queso fresco is soft and tangy.
    • Cilantro Bright, citrusy, and zesty. 
overhead: ingredients in bowls to make mexican dip recipe

HOW TO MAKE REFRIED BEAN DIP

  1. Puree the Vegetables. Add the seeded and chopped bell pepper, onion, and chipotle pepper to your food processor. Pulse the vegetables until finely chopped and well mixed. 
  2. Add the Spices and Seasonings. Scoop the refried beans into the food processor. Pour the red wine vinegar, tabasco, ground cumin, chili seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in as well. Pulse until the mixture has a smooth, creamy consistency. Take time to scrape down the sides of the food processor to make sure no pockets of peppers or seasonings are left unmixed.
  3. Garnish and Serve. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle the queso fresco, cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro on top. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
bowl of spicy refried bean dip surrounded by tortilla chips

What are refried beans? 

They are beans boiled with onions, chili, and garlic. You then drain the liquid, fry on the stovetop, mash, and season them to your liking. That’s oversimplifying the process a bit, but you get the idea!
You can also make them right at home! The process is very simple and easy to follow, with just a few ingredients and steps required.

Is refried bean dip spicy? 

It’s as spicy as you make it! My hot bean dip recipe does have a fair bit of spice, between the chipotle peppers, chili seasoning, and tabasco. However, you can add or take away as many hot ingredients as you need for your preferred level of spice.


It is also common to serve refried bean dip with a bit of sour cream, which could help to tone down the spice.

What’s the best way to heat up refried bean dip? 

This appetizer is best heated on the stove top on medium heat. Stir regularly to keep it from burning on the bottom of the pot and serve once warmed through.


If serving warm, then wait to add the garnish until just before serving. You want to get that picture perfect presentation, after all!

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This post, originally published on Kevin is Cooking Aug. 14, 2020, was last updated with new content on March, 2022.

easy refried bean dip garnished with crumbled Mexican cheese in white bowl

Refried Bean Dip + Video

5 from 6 votes
My Refried Bean Dip is a quintessential Tex Mex appetizer, with plenty of heat and a bit of sweetness from chipotle and bell peppers.
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 bell pepper seeded and rough chopped
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 chipotle pepper
  • 16 oz refried beans (See Note 1)
  • 1 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Tabasco
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp cotija cheese crumbled
  • 2 tbsp queso fresco crumbled
  • 2 tbsp cilantro chopped

Instructions 

  • In a food processor pulse the bell pepper, onion and chipotle pepper until chopped. Add the beans, vinegar, hot sauce, cumin, salt, chili powder, and garlic powder.
  • Puree until smooth, scraping down sides if needed.
  • Garnish with crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve at room temperature (or warm if you prefer) with chips of choice.

Video

Notes

  1. I prefer to use my own refried beans, but feel free to use canned (16 oz can). 

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 572IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
titled image: refried bean dip

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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18 Comments

  1. Hi Kevin, I would love to try your refried bean dip recipe. Is it ok to use one canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for the chipotle pepper??

  2. 5 stars
    This was a big hit here at the house! My husband, daughter and her boyfriend ate this up so quick! I will definitely be making this again!

  3. 5 stars
    kevin, you’re recipes never fail me. we made this yesterday for a very small celebration and everyone clamored for it! another hit!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh wow! I haven’t had refried beans in so long! I can’t wait to give this a try for some great snacking!