Crock Pot Bean Dip

Ingredients inside a crock pot showing what it takes to make this recipe.

This creamy and cheesy Crock Pot Bean Dip is made with hardly any effort and only a few ingredients. Dump everything into the crockpot and go about your day. Serve with tortilla chips for the best hot dip and party or gathering appetizer.

Course Appetizer, Super Bowl

Cuisine American

Keyword crock pot bean dip, hot bean dip recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 5

Servings

Calories 293kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cans (16 oz each) refried beans
1 jar (16 oz) mild picante sauce
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
2 teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin

Instructions

Spray the insert of the crock pot with cooking spray OR use a crock pot liner.
^{* Even If I use a liner, I'll still spray the liner with cooking spray just to ensure there is no sticking or burning of the dip.}
Unwrap the cream cheese and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 50 seconds.
* This ensures that the cream cheese is warm and soft, which makes it melt smoother and easier in the crock pot.
Add all the ingredients into the crock pot. No need to stir it.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4 hours.
^{* Stir the bean dip several times, about 2-3 times, throughout the cook time to ensure that it's not burning or sticking to the sides.}
^{* TIP :}^{For a smooth bean dip (which is what I prefer) dump the picante sauce into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, before adding it into the crock pot. This ensures that the dip is perfectly smooth and creamy.}
Give the bean dip a good stir to make sure it's completely smooth and melted. Serve hot with tortilla chips.
^{* Keep the bean dip in the crock pot, on the warm setting, for several hours throughout the party or serving time.}

Notes

Serving Size & Nutrition Information : This recipe yields about 5 cups of bean dip. I figure each serving is about 1/2 cup, so the nutrition facts are based on 10 servings with each serving being 1/2 cup of bean dip.

Recipe Tips -

Keep It Mild or Spicy! : This hot bean dip is so easy to customize to your spice level preference. Use a can of hot or medium salsa for a spicier dip, or use a can of mild picante salsa for a mild dip. I always use the mild picante sauce because I serve kids, so I always keep it on the mild side. I still think this dip has so much flavor when kept mild. Use Pepper Jack cheese for some added spice and/or add some red cayenne pepper instead of the chili powder, or use some of each. You can even add a can of chopped jalapeños or diced green chilies into the crock pot.
Smooth Dip : I prefer this bean dip when it's really smooth. I always either blend up the picante sauce before adding it into the crock pot (this is the easiest way) OR use an immersion blender, once the dip is done cooking, and blend it until smooth. This does create a mess because of all the creamy ingredients, but if you forget to blend up the picante sauce then you can do it this way afterwards.
Stir It Several Times : During the cook time make sure that you are home and able to stir the dip several times. This will keep the dip from burning to the sides of the crock pot and keep things mixed together. If you will be away while this dip is cooking then be sure you at least use a slow cooker liner to help this.
Shred Cheese From a Block : Do not use the pre shredded cheese in this recipe. Please! When you shred cheese yourself, from a block of cheese on a cheese grater, the end result is much creamier and it melts much better.
Full-Fat Diary Products : For the best taste and creamy, rich flavor use full fat cream cheese and full fat sour cream. Of course, the lite or reduced-fat stuff can be used, but for the best results stick to full-fat dairy.

FAQ's -

Serving Suggestions
- The best way to serve this bean dip is with your favorite tortilla chips or Fritos scoops corn chips. Or some of both!
- It also makes a great side dish to these Ground Turkey Tacos or Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos, or use it inside burritos or chimichangas.
- Serve this bean dip hot straight from the crock pot. I like to put the crock pot on the 'warm' setting during the party or gathering, that way the dip stays at a warmer temperature the whole time.
How To Store Leftovers
- Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave, on the stove top, or in the crock pot. You may need to add a splash of milk or water when reheating leftover bean dip.
Variation & Substitution Ideas
- Spice It Up! : It's so easy to change this dip based on your spice level preference. Here are some ideas. Use hot or medium picante sauce, use red cayenne pepper in place of all or half of the chili powder, add a can of diced jalapeños or diced green chilies, use Pepper Jack cheese, add some dashes of hot sauce, use spicy refried beans.
- Picante Sauce : The picante is preferred in this recipe because it has more liquid in it but any salsa can be used.
- Smooth vs Chunky Dip : This dip does have a some what chunkier texture because of the picante sauce. If you prefer a completely smooth texture (like me!) then add the picante sauce into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- More Cheese : You can't ever go wrong with more cheese!
- Garnish : Garnish the top of the bean dip with pico de Gallo, chopped cilantro, and/or additional shredded cheese before serving. This just makes for a prettier presentation and it's totally optional.

Nutrition