I have my days where I refuse to pick up more than a fork or spoon to make my meals. Let’s be real, sometimes we just want something good and something quick. This cream cheese, black bean dip recipe I came up with (on a whim, with ingredients I had on hand, when on my lunch break from work) really elevates that good, old fashioned chips and salsa crave.
The best thing is, it’s ready in less than five minutes. Oh, and it slaps hot or cold!
The end result may not look very appetizing, to say the least, but I swear by the flavor. I also sometimes add things like freshly chopped onion, artichoke hearts for extra texture, and even leftover chicken (if I have any). But, really, the two ingredients complete this dip as is.
Now the recipe calls for an entire jar of salsa and block of cream cheese. If I were having this dip as a lunch option, realistically, I would get roughly three – maybe four – lunches worth of dip. At 945 calories total for the black bean salsa and cream cheese, that’s 315 calories per serving! Not bad, at all. So that’s why you’ll see I guesstimated 3 servings in the recipe.
Either way, it’s the perfect quick party dip (when you’re scavenging through your pantry), creamy addition to your taco Tuesdays or an insanely inexpensive lunch recipe with a side of pita chips or your favorite veggie for dipping.
Cost breakdown for this recipe
*Note: Item costs can vary based on location, inflation, brand, and sale price. I do my best to buy/suggest the most cost-effective option. I also may not factor certain ingredients into the price where their amounts have an inconsiderable impact, like sugar, spices, salt, oil or baking powder.
| Item purchased | Item Cost | Cost to make recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Black bean salsa | $2.75 | $2.75 |
| Cream cheese | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| Artichoke hearts (optional) | $2.45 | $1.23 |
| White onion (optional) | $2.45 | $0.21 |
| Total item(s) cost: $9.30 | Total recipe cost: $5.84 |
Money-saving tips
- Buy what’s on sale.
- If you already have it in your pantry or fridge, duh, don’t buy it!
- Only buy the amount you need to make the recipe – i.e., if the recipe only calls for 2 lemons, only buy 2 single lemons, don’t buy the bag!
- The price difference between organic, non-organic, fresh and frozen options – organic/frozen can be the most cost effective (i.e., depending on brand/store, if it’s on sale or BOGO).
Cream Cheese Black Bean Dip
This recipe is not your average chips and salsa. A party crowd pleaser or tasty lunch option - this creamy, black bean dip is so simple yet flavorful, and you can eat it hot or cold. This recipe is crazy inexpensive to make and offers a unique, healthy option for lunch.
Ingredients
Optional Ingredients (to elevate your dip even more)
Instructions
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If you're making this recipe cold, allow your cream cheese to rest at room temperature for about an hour, then place in a large mixing/serving bowl with the jar of black bean salsa. Mix thoroughly until little to no cream cheese chunks remain.
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If you're making this recipe hot, place your cream cheese in a sauce pan with the jar of salsa on low heat (or in a microwaveable bowl, if you're going that route). Be sure to keep the heat setting low as to prevent burning. Once the contents are steaming and slightly bubbling, remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl or storage container.
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If you're planning on consuming this dip hot over a number of days, it's best to avoid reheating multiple times. Scoop out what you will consume into a separate bowl to reheat.
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This dip keeps for up to five days in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer (for freshness and quality).
Note
*Eat Rich Live Full is not a nutritionist or dietitian. For nutritional information, it is advised to refer to a nutritionist, dietitian or an online nutritional resource calculator. Nutritional information can vary depending on ingredients, ingredient types and brands used for each recipe.