Tuscan White Bean Dip has all the Italian flavors you need to bring to a summer party. Served with warm bread and featuring white beans, juicy tomatoes, onion, garlic and a medley of fresh herbs, this is an appetizer your guests won’t soon forget.
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June 2020 Update: You guys love this recipe! Though I originally made this recipe with fresh tomatoes and fresh garlic, I recently re-tested it with canned tomatoes and jarred minced garlic and it came out gorgeously! I’m updating the printable recipe below with specifics. I also added some new photos.
About this Tuscan White Bean Dip recipe
Though we’ve had thunderstorms in Charlotte the last couple days (much needed, mind you), it’s been a very dry summer.
The creek in my neighborhood is practically drained of water and the heat has been just about unbearable.And yet, I’ve miraculously been able to keep my herb garden alive.
No one is more surprised than I am, because I’ve killed more than a few of these over the years. In celebration of being a good plant mama, I decided I needed to find some ways to use these beautiful herbs.
And what better way to do so than in a summery, herbal Tuscan White Bean Dip? It’s simply soft white beans coupled with juicy red tomatoes. Everything is doused in a generous helping of olive oil that’s infused with crushed garlic, spices and fresh herbs.
Instead of being a creamy dip, like white bean hummus, the beans and tomatoes are kept whole, making Tuscan White Bean Dip almost like an Italian salsa.
Why you’ll love this recipe
One of my family friends — who knows Italian food through and through — introduced me to this Tuscan White Bean Dip. Even though I’ve adapted my own version of her recipe, I secretly hope it will make an appearance at every party she throws. It’s that good! You are going to love it too!
- It’s full of delicious Italian flavors that will help you pretend you’re on a Tuscan vacation.
- It’s a quick and easy appetizer or snack you can make with canned goods or fresh produce.
- Serve it with delicious crusty bread or spoon it on top of grilled chicken, add it to a salad or eat it as a side dish!
After you make it the first time, I know your party guests will secretly wish you’ll bring this to all their parties, too.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to grab at the grocery store to make this recipe:
- Cannellini beans, canned
- White onion
- Tomatoes, fresh or canned
- Minced garlic
- Basil leaves, fresh
- Italian parsley, fresh
- Oregano, fresh
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Substitutions & variations
Bonus points for fresh garden herbs, but I won’t tell anyone if you have to pick some up at the store. You can also used dry herbs in a pinch, or substitute other herbs like fresh rosemary or fresh thyme.
You can also opt for canned tomatoes if you like. I recommend getting the fire-roasted diced tomatoes. They add some excellent flavor and you won’t be disappointed!
Fresh garlic has a great flavor, but feel free to used minced garlic from a jar — my favorite corner to cut in the kitchen! If you want to take it to the next level, use air fryer roasted garlic for tons of extra flavor.
If you want to blend everything up in the blender or food processor, you could do that! It will be more of a spread, with a hummus like-texture.
Instructions
Here’s what you need to do to make this recipe!
- Drain the canned cannellini beans in a colander and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Then, in a medium bowl, combine beans, onion, tomatoes, garlic, herbs. Add salt and pepper. Stir together until the beans are coated in the herbs. Stir in olive oil.
- You can serve it immediately, but it’s even better if you refrigerate it in an airtight container for 2 hours to let the flavors marinate. Then let it come to room temperature before serving.
Food & drink pairings
Appetizer: Serve Tuscan White Bean Dip with fresh bread, breadsticks or homemade pita chips. You can also use tortilla chips or crackers.
Add some other Italian apps to your party menu lineup with warm pizza pinwheels, a tray of colorful caprese skewers and cheesy mozzarella sticks. You’ll have something to satisfy every craving!
Dinner: This dip is more than a dip. It’s also nice when spooned over grilled chicken or fish. You could add it to an Italian green salad or eat it as a side dish.
Drinks: There’s not much more Italian than wine! Enjoy it with a white wine spritzer. The spritz is also an Italian pre-dinner favorite, such as an Aperol spritz or Hugo spritz. Or go with a classic negroni.
Dessert: Finish dinner with an Italian dessert like tiramisu trifle or lemon drop cookies.
More white bean appetizer recipes
White beans are a great base for appetizer recipes thanks to their mild flavor and creamy texture. Whether served up in a salad or a dip, here are a few more white bean appetizer recipes to try:
- Nutty parmesan cheese and sweet roasted garlic pair perfectly with white beans in roasted garlic parmesan white bean dip.
- Also, rosemary white bean spinach artichoke dip is a spin on the classic spinach artichoke dip with some white beans for extra creaminess!
- Serve tuna white bean herb salad on some toasted baguette slices for an elegant party appetizer.
More appetizer recipes
Tuscan White Bean Dip
ingredients
- 10 ounces cannellini beans
- ½ large white onion diced
- 2 medium tomatoes diced, or 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup basil leaves washed and cut into strips, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ⅛ cup Italian parsley chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
instructions
- Drain the cannellini beans and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a medium bowl, combine beans, onion, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir together until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Stir in olive oil.
- Refrigerate in an air tight container 2 hours to let flavors marinate. Serve at room temperature with bread or pita chips.
notes
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Rosanne says
Yes, I do look at this site most days. Thinking I’ll whip some up for next weekend. ❤️
Laura Jean Gilleland says
This looks delicious! Yum!
Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen says
I didn’t know you lived in Charlotte!! You need to go to Toscano or Mezzanotte and try their bean dip, I’m freaking OBSESSED! Thank you for this recipe, so I can make it at home! I was literally planning to develop this recipe in the next couple of weeks so we don’t have to always eat there to get it lol! But thank you for giving me a recipe I can use instead!! Love it!
Susannah says
I was so confused when you mentioned this the other night, but I am so glad you mentioned this and that we finally connected! <3
Elizabeth says
We live in Statesville and enjoy the Tuscan bean dip that is placed on your table when you are seated at Dolce, a small neighborhood restaurant off of East Blvd. I have been searching recipes to replicate it with some modifications and will enjoy using yours. I will probably cut back on the olive oil.
Susannah says
Oh yes, this one has a ton of olive oil! But I love it that way. I totally support you making it how you like it! I have never been to Dolce, but now I must! Thank you for stopping by the blog to leave a comment, Elizabeth!
Gale Bonnell says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Small world! I too live in Charlotte and have had this at Toscana and Luce. I found your recipe on Pinterest.
I made this for a holiday party and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it!
Gale Bonnell says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Small world! I too live in Charlotte and have had this at Toscana and Luce. I found your recipe on Pinterest.
I made this for a holiday party and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it!
Susannah says
I’m so happy to hear that you loved this recipe, Gale! This is one of my favorite recipes for a party too. Waving from across Charlotte!
Jerry says
Recipe has way too much salt. Is this a mistake in the ingredients?
Other than too much salt, the dip was very good.
Susannah says
Hey Jerry, Glad you liked the dip! I’m sorry the salt was too much. I actually adapted the recipe to include only 3 teaspoons instead of the original 1 tablespoon, so it’s even less salty than the original. It’s been a while since I’ve made this for a party, and I usually do salt “to taste” for dips like this. That would be my advice if you make it again — start with half or a whole teaspoon at a time, taste, then add more as needed.
Mathis says
Don’t you know that 3 teaspoons are in one tablespoon??????
Susannah says
Hi Mathis, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I do know that, and also I know that typos are human error. The recipe also states that the salt should be added to taste, so feel free to add it gradually and adjust for your own tastebuds.
Kerry says
I agree… waaaayyyyy too much salt. Salt amount should be cut in half (maybe even more), but otherwise a tasty dish.
Susannah says
So sorry the recipe didn’t work for you, Kerry! I suggest adding the salt a little bit at a time if you make it again, and tasting it to make sure it’s exactly how you like it!
Morgan Dow Cromwell says
I completely tripped across your blog and found this recipe. I made it for my movie (like a book) club. It was a big hit! This will be in the rotation from now on. Also, fellow QCer here.
Susannah says
I am so glad to hear this, Morgan! I love hearing that people make my recipes. ♥ A movie club sounds up my alley if you need new members, lol! It’s nice to meet you and thanks for saying hello!
LJ says
I made this today. Used only 1 tsp salt and only 1/3 cup olive oil. Grew my own flat leaf parsley and basil. With these modifications it was spectacular!
LJ says
I made this today. Used only 1 tsp salt and only 1/3 cup olive oil. Grew my own flat leaf parsley and basil. With these modifications it was spectacular!
Lisa says
I’ve made Tuscan White Bean Dip many times and especially love to make it in the Summer with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil and parsley from the garden. Everyone raves about it when I serve it to company. My 94-year-old mom asks me to make it often, it’s one of her favorites. Thanks for an easy, delicious and much-appreciated recipe!
Lisa says
I’ve made Tuscan White Bean Dip many times and especially love to make it in the Summer with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil and parsley from the garden. Everyone raves about it when I serve it to company. My 94-year-old mom asks me to make it often, it’s one of her favorites. Thanks for an easy, delicious and much-appreciated recipe!
Susannah says
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for stopping by to share this with me and to leave a review! That means so much. <3
I'm so glad this recipe has so many fans in your life, too! And I totally agree, this recipe is best with fresh ingredients in the summer. My yard is too shady for a garden right now, but the farmers market always delivers.