Here in the Ozarks, where I live, we have quite a few lakes and streams that you can boat or float on. It's awesome! I truly believe this is one of the most beautiful places to live in the whole world. But, I can also see that I'm extremely biased on this point. 🙂
One of my favorite summer activities is spending a day out on the lake. You pack up a cooler of drinks and snacks and spend a day just hanging out on the water. One snack that I make to bring with us on lake days is something that the George family calls Love Dip. It's basically cream cheese and salsa blended together. I love it.
This is a slightly more substantial version (the black beans as flavor as well as protein). If you're in a hurry or just don't like fresh food, you can totally make a version of this with just cream cheese, store-bought salsa, and black beans. But since our CSA has brought us plenty of onions and cherry tomatoes lately, I think a fresh version is in order. This dip is great on a lake; just pack it in a container and throw it in the cooler until you're ready for it. Or you could make this as a delicious appetizer to take to a summer BBQ. Who doesn't love chips and dip?!
Creamy Black Bean Dip, serves 6-8 as an appetizer or side.
15 ounces (one can) black beans, rinsed and drained
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese*
3 cloves garlic
1 small onion (or half a medium-sized one)
2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
8 ounces cherry tomatoes (or any tomatoes you have/like)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder (or more if you like it spicy)
1 lime
salt and pepper to taste
*Pro tip: I usually use one reduced fat cream cheese and one regular. With how flavorful this dip is, you could easily use two reduced fat cream cheeses and no one will be the wiser. 🙂
The order you make this dip actually matters. It's a texture thing. You gotta get the texture right on this one.
First we make salsa. In a food processor, pulse the garlic, onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and juice from half the lime until well blended but still chunky. You don't want this to be completely smooth. Pulse. Try not to eat all the salsa once made too; that's a tough one.
Now we blend together the cream cheese, black beans, juice from the remaining half of lime, and cayenne. Just blend until smooth.
Stir (by hand) the salsa into the cream cheese mixture. Taste, and add salt and pepper to your liking.
Serve chilled with lots of tortilla chips. This dip is a somewhat funky color, so I like to garnish the top with a few black beans so everyone knows where that color is coming from. Enjoy! xo. Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
46 Comments
There is nothing like some good chip dip! Looks great!
-Katherine
http://themountaincreative.com
That is amazing! Love the name. I love cream cheese in/on EVERYTHING. Sushi, crackers, veggies, bread etc etc.. Thanks for sharing your Love Dip!
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
That looks amazing!!!! Yummy- thanks for sharing. We have a party on the weekend and will try it!
Love from Germany,
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.de/2014/08/where-do-you-have-best-ideas.html
XO Bambi
Ahh this looks glorious! So summery. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lydia
http://www.todaysthedayi.com
Black beans, salsa and cream cheese in an easy dip? Yes and yum!!
This sounds incredible! I love making tostadas, and I’ll bet this would be real delicious spread all over the bottom.
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Agree! Chips and dip forever!
-Emma
This recipe looks really great, I can’t wait to try it :).
LOVE DIP FROM CENTRAL MARKET!!!!!! Is the George family from
Texas?!?
This sounds Ah-maz-ing! So yummy!
Would you guys consider creating a PDF or other printable file of your recipes? I love trying each and every one but its a difficult process to print them out. I would LOVE to be able to have a printer friendly version! I would even be willing to buy a PDF file of all your recipes. Just an idea! Thank you so much for all your beautiful and delisious recipes! Im a huge fan.
Cream cheese just makes everything better! As a Michigan girl I share your love for days on the lake. Nothing beats it!
This sounds great! I wonder if I can substitute the cream cheese with Greek yoghurt for a lighter option.
blondeinkuwait.blogspot.com
This looks heavenly, it’ll be great for parties, now that football season is coming along!
this sounds so good! anything with cream cheese wins in my book!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Yummy!!!! 🙂
Lulu xx
https://www.luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!! I love black beans and have attempted to make hummus with black beans but it wasn’t very successful! I am trying this!!
This looks so tasty !! I so like dips and black beans 🙂
This sound delicious and looks super easy to make. I can’t wait to try it out!
this looks sooo good – I totally need to make this!
this looks delicious!
“or just don’t like fresh food” lolling.
Other than all the chips I would eat with this, this is pretty perfect!
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://theaccidentalmama.com/
I’ve never thought of adding cream cheese to a black bean dip. what a great idea!!!
Yum! Creamy dips are my favorite and this looks particularly good. The perfect summer snack for sure, I can’t wait to give it a try.
This sounds amazing! I’ve been wanting to try some new recipes with black beans recently, and this one sounds perfect!
Well. This looks delicious! Yum!
This dip looks bomb! I was born in KCMO and lived there until I was 8 and I’m convinced that’s where I learned to love dip — especially Rotel + Velveeta. Oh god. So good.
I love Love Dip but I’ve never thought to add black beans (I’ve also never heard it called love dip before) sounds delish!! Question: if I were to be lazy and just use store bought salsa should I still add the lime juice and cayenne to the cream cheese mixture? Can’t wait to try it out! 🙂
Can you make this again?
-Josh
Love simple dip recipes! Thanks for this
I could devour this! I’m the biggest salsa fan AND cream cheese.. it looks delicious. I see why it’s called Love dip!
Bec x
http://www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com
Ooo! This looks lovely I must give this a go 🙂
http://champagnelifestyleteabudget.blogspot.co.uk/
I love tortilla chips! I have some right now (a rare thing) so I might make some of this and enjoy it 🙂
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Pinned it! My husband has become hooked on black beans lately and I’m constantly on the lookout for new black bean recipes. Since we do love our chips and dips this looks the perfect snack for us.
yuuummm this looks deelish! Love that you added some black beans for protein and low fat cream cheese to keep the calories down…this makes a perfect snack!!
This looks delicious!
Would you like to join my Student Box Swap (UK college and university students only)? Check my blog for more details!
laurenslittleblogs.blogspot.co.uk
xx
This looks amazing. Will definitely have to try this recipe this weekend. 🙂
Yumm!! A new must try party dip. Thanks for sharing.
Where are your adorable floral dresses from in that photo shoot?
Hi Ashley! The clothing and accessory details are at the bottom of the post. Emma’s is from Ever+Mi Crush and Elsie’s is from Shop Sosie 🙂 – Jacki
Looks yummy and didn’t realize you lived in the Ozarks! I’m originally from Illinois…just a few hours away!
My family calls the salsa + cream cheese combo “pink dip”. So good.
YUM! Yup, this will go on the list of weekend punishers. Daiya makes a mean cream cheese these days too, so vegan is doable! Hooray!
xo
K
I really want to make this for a gathering this weekend! I have a baby that keeps my hands occupied the majority of the time though, so I’d love to know how much salsa to use instead of making my own? Is it kind of a add it till it tastes right kind of a thing? Or is there a specific measurement? Thanks so much!
This dip looks amazing! I’ve done salsa and sour cream but never cream cheese. I also never thought about black beans! I wonder if this would work with the sour cream? Wouldn’t be as thick obviously. What are your thoughts?
Tried this and it’s delicious !
Simple yet very tasty and my dad loves dips 😉
Thank you for the recipe and keep it going, I love reading ABM
xx
Manon