Pesto White Bean Dip
Enjoy this Pesto White Bean Dip in only ten minutes, for a comforting, Italian-inspired bruschetta appetizer. Serve with crackers and salami.
Friends, for easy entertaining, we love this Italian Pesto White Bean Dip recipe. It’s a quick version, so you can get it on the table in minutes! Serve as an appetizer, because it’s perfect for dipping, or serving on a warm piece of crusty bread or foccacia!
Pesto White Bean Dip
The perfect celebration of fresh herbs, this dip is wonderful for any appetizer spread (we love it served for Italian dinners). It’s creamy and fresh, and our family loves it. We recently enjoyed this simple appetizer and reminisced about our recent trip to Italy!
Ingredients for Pesto White Bean Dip
- White beans
- Pesto
- Lemon
- Honey
- Basil: Fresh basil is a must for freshness. Don’t use dried basil.
- Olive oil (for garnish)
We have one family member who does not love hummus (I know, how can this be?!) So this white bean dip is the dip we serve now, and he can’t be happier.
Instead of chickpeas, we use a can of white beans. Home cooked white beans are even better if you have time to cook them.
For the fall holidays, you also try this Holiday White Chili Bean Queso Dip (with whole white bean). So good!
How to make irresistible Pesto White Bean Dip:
It’s easy – almost too easy! This easy white bean dip recipe is a delicious appetizer or snack, packed full of flavor, on the table in ten minutes. Let me show you how to make it in these simple steps:
- Combine all ingredients into a food processor and puree.
- Chill in the fridge before serving.
- Serve with crackers, salami, and veggies for a light appetizer.
- Or spread onto wraps and sandwiches, or wrapped up in kale or romaine leaves.
- If desired, add a splash of olive oil on top and garnish with chopped basil.
How do you serve Pesto White Bean Dip:
- Serve with crackers and salami or on a charcuterie board or cheese board.
- Add to a platter of veggies, like cucumber spears and carrot sticks, or spread onto wraps and sandwiches.
- Scoop it up with warm pita bread or hot crunchy bread (cut into chunks).
- Optional to serve it with an extra drizzle of nice, fruity olive oil.
Make a meal with this dip:
Add a can of diced tomatoes to the dip and heat. Add to cooked pasta, simmer and season as you go. Serve with fresh Parmesan cheese for a simple, delicious meal.
Tips and substitutions:
- If you have time, you can fry a sprig of rosemeary in olive oil to infuse the oil with the rosemary fragrance. Instead of garnishing with regular olive oil, spoon the remainder over your finished bowl.
- Replace the white beans with chickpeas.
- Replace the basil with chopped rosemary or parsley.
- For the olive oil, you can use regular (a good quality variety), or great fruity or peppery olive oil adds a pop of flavor.
- Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to two days.
- Heat the dip up and serve over your favorite pasta, with fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Use leftovers in wraps, on veggie sandwiches, or over pasta.
Speaking of Italy, we just returned from a three week trip, and enjoyed the best Italian food. As we serve this easy appetizer now, we reflect on the food we enjoyed, with friends around the table.
But even better than food, we’re all made for in-person connection, and this is why when we return from vacation, we make that invite. Having friends and neighbors over in real life matters so much.
We think this dip is best served warm, but we’ve also eaten it cold, straight from the fridge!
More easy bean dips you may enjoy:
Chicken White Bean Mozzarella Dip
Get the Recipe:
Pesto White Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ heaping c pesto
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice, plus zest of 1 lemon
- 1 Tbsp honey
- Basil, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a food processor and puree. Chill and serve with crackers and salami, veggies, or spread onto wraps and sandwiches.
- If desired, add a splash of olive oil on top, and garnish with basil.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
