This quick and easy warm bean dip recipe is a real crowd-pleaser. It consists of creamy refried beans mixed with cream cheese, sour cream, green chiles, taco seasoning, and plenty of melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
It is perfect for game day parties, movie nights, and neighborhood shindigs. I love to serve it with garlic parmesan chicken wings, little smokies, and ham and cheese pinwheels.
This Warm Bean Dip is easy to fix, and everyone loves it. I love to top it with sliced jalapenos, green onions, and tomatoes right down the center of the dip. Since it is a hardy dip, I like to serve good, sturdy tortilla chips, celery, and carrots with this recipe.
Spread leftover dip on quesadillas or burritos, spoon some in a fajita bowl, or serve it as a side dish with some of my favorite Mexican recipes, such as chicken soft tacos, queso dip, and cilantro rice.
Ingredient Notes
These are special notes on some ingredients. Please see the full list on the recipe card below.
- I prefer full-fat cream cheese, refried beans, and sour cream. I think it tastes better and is slightly creamier.
- Homemade taco seasoning is flavor-packed and so easy to make.
- I like to use both Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese, but a Mexican blend works well too!
How To Make Warm Bean Dip
This is the nutshell version. See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
Melt the cream cheese in a large skillet over very low heat. Stir in the refried beans, sour cream, taco seasoning, green chiles, a few pinches of ground cayenne or other spicy spices (to taste), and a little bit of Monterey Jack and cheddar. Spoon it into a large baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese.
Finally, bake to gooey perfection, and if desired, cut some of your favorite toppings and spread them out to make that dip look delicious and fancy. Serve promptly with sturdy tortilla chips or mini bell peppers!
Preparation Tips and Storage
- You can use traditional refried beans or fat-free refried beans. They both work out well and are delicious.
- For optimal flavor, we prefer the full-fat cream cheese and sour cream in this dip for optimal flavor. But if you are on a low-fat diet, you can use the others; they blend well and taste good.
- For even more flavor, make homemade taco seasoning.
- Customize it with your favorite toppings, such as tomatoes, red onions, guacamole, jalapenos, Pico de Gallo, green onions, and cilantro.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Recipe Variations
- Replace the green chiles with minced jalapenos or serrano peppers.
- Swap the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese for Pepper Jack Cheese or a Mexican blend cheese.
- Add 1/2 cup salsa or drained Rotel tomatoes to the bean mixture.
- Add cooked seasoned ground beef or chicken for extra protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make this recipe up to two days in advance. Prep up to the point of baking, but don’t bake. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Remove the dish from the refrigerator 30-40 minutes before baking and warm it to room temperature. Bake as directed.
Make this dip in a crock pot and keep it warm for hours for all your party guests. Instead of spooning it into a baking dish, spoon it into a crock pot and top with the remaining cheese. Heat it on low for 2 hours.
More Party Dips
Warm Cheesy Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) can package cream cheese
- 2 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 taco Seasoning packet either mild or hot
- 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chiles
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1 jalapeno thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
- Melt the cream cheese in a large skillet over very low heat. Stir in the refried beans, sour cream, taco seasonings, green chiles, ground cayenne pepper, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese; cook until smooth and slightly melted. Spoon into a 9×13 casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
- Shred your own block of cheese. It is so much tastier and does not contain cellulose.
- You can use traditional refried beans or fat-free refried beans. They both work out well and are delicious.
- For optimal flavor, we prefer the full-fat cream cheese and full-fat sour cream in this dip. But by all means, if you are on a low-fat diet, you can certainly use the others, and they will blend well and taste good.
- If you don’t have taco seasoning, try making your own with chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Use good sturdy chips for this recipe, as it is a really hearty dip with lots of gusto.
- Top with tomatoes, red onions, guacamole, jalapenos, black olives, green onions, and cilantro.
- Make this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Prep up to the point of baking but don’t bake. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. 30-40 minutes prior to baking, remove the dish from the refrigerator and warm it to room temperature. Bake as directed.
- This Warm Bean Dip recipe makes a lot, so if it is just you and the family for movie night, then you may want to cut this recipe in half.
- Make this dip in a crock pot and keep it warm for hours for all your party guests.
Nutrition
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Becky, Cuddle Fairy
This sounds delicious. I love that you can make it in advance and have it warm in the crock pot ready to roll. Top tip! Thanks.
Dietrich
Could I use ground beef or chicken instead of refried beans?
Beth Pierce
You can but I have not tested it to taste the results.
Mary
Could this be done in a crock pot to keep warm?
Beth Pierce
Yes, you can. Cook on low for about 2 hours.
Lorry
So do you put in crock pit to keep it warm ? How do you serve it ?
Beth Pierce
You can make it in a crock pot. Simply cook on low for 2 hours or so.
Kathleen Burns
Will use as a dip option.
Allison
This is the best warm bean dip! I add my own roasted chiles and jalapeños for heat. Husband even asks for it! Thanks.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Allison! So glad that you and your husband like it.
Suzy
This was so tasty! Super easy to make and the touch of cayenne pepper is perfect in it!
Kristen
This dip is so good! Thank you so much for this tasty recipe!
Lima Ekram
Love the refried beans – couldnt stop eating it!
Elizabeth
The perfect dip! Made this for a get together with friends last weekend and they absolutely gobbled it up! Delicious!
Dannii
I have never had a warm dip before. But this looks delicious, and protein packed.
Biana
Yum! This bean dip looks so delicious. Will be perfect for summer picnics and bbqs!
Michelle
This bean dip looks so good! I have a bag of tortilla chips just begging for it!
Julie
I could just snack on this delicious bean dip all day.
Jenn
This is my go-to dip recipe! Everyone loves it and it’s so creamy and full of flavor!
Claudia Lamascolo
I am thrilled to find this recipe to bring to my sons today, he wanted a Mexican style dip and this sounds fantastic! I am making this right now! Cant wait to dig into that it really is calling my name!!