Have this snack ready in a flash for last-minute guests, or lazy days around the house. Cook Black Beans from scratch for the tastiest Black Bean Dip, for all your dippin’ and slatherin’ needs. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and easily gluten free.
Black Bean Dip
It’s Cinco de Mayo! And since holidays/commemorations are often surrounded with food, why not include a bit of Mexican food in your day? It’s a big day for Mexican food on social media. But Cinco de Mayo is also for commemorating the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, some 50 years after Mexico declared its independence.
In America, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a day to drink margaritas and eat tacos. I’m not complaining. I’ll be the first to whip up some or raise my hand for Mexican food and margaritas. I do like how this celebration has evolved!
But before we get to this mouth-watering Chipotle Black Bean Dip, I gotta share about the continuing Chickadee saga.
Nest Watch
Rob and I made and hung three Chickadee Nest Boxes this season with the hope we’d attract Chestnut-backed Chickadees and in an attempt to give back, in a small way, what humanity has collectively taken from them. We didn’t know if we’d be so fortunate to host as their population is declining in the Pacific Northwest. We hung one on our house and the other two in a nearby forest preserve.
The one we hung on our house attracted a pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees the same day we hung it! Not only did they come to this nest box, but they built a beautiful 5 1/2″ deep nest, one beak-full of moss at a time. I wrote about the unfolding drama that came with this nest box in my breakfast tacos post last week.
The most exciting part? There are five… FIVE eggs in the box at our home! And there could be more… up to ten!! Since we check the box following Nest Watch protocol, we won’t know until we check again if there are more. But we could have little hatchlings in a few weeks!
These diligent parents have fended off pesky and invasive European House Sparrows, and a bumble bee to build a beautiful and perfect moss-lined nest made extra cozy with rabbit and what we think is deer fur in the center.
Watching this story unfold from the start, I’m inspired by and grateful for how nature can rebound if only given the chance. This was as simple as building a few nest boxes and situating them in preferred places. A weekend project and time well spent. I wonder where these birds would have nested otherwise? Would they have had a nesting opportunity?
Dying and dead trees are homes for many species including Chestnut-backed Chickadees. These are important parts of our ecosystem, yet often viewed as not having value or as eye sores. But for birds and other species, trees are their homes providing areas to build nests, raise young, roost in safety and also act as their local supermarket.
A Local Forest Preserve
We visited the forest preserve a few days ago and checked the Chickadee boxes there too. I’m happy to report two fully completed nests in the boxes (!!). Although we didn’t see any chickadees around or on the nests, we’re pretty sure they belong to Chestnut-backed Chickadees as nest types and materials are species specific. We’re hopeful upon our next visit, we’ll find eggs.
Males take the first step in choosing nest sites, approaching a possible location while the female watches. Later, the female decides on the site, enters the cavity, and accepts pieces of vegetation brought by the male. Nest sites can be holes in rotted trees, stumps, and posts soft enough for the chickadees to excavate themselves, or old woodpecker holes. (All About Birds)
After coming in from checking the boxes, Rob and I shared a snack of Chipotle Black Bean Dip and a few Mexicana Margaritas in quiet celebration of our afternoon finds and with hope of reporting successful nesting attempts.
A Few Recipe Notes
- Chipotle Black Bean Dip is quick and easy to whip up and is versatile enough to be slathered on nachos, quesadillas, burritos, Sweet Potato Breakfast Tacos or shared simply as a dip with a Mexicana Margarita or Strawberry Mojito and your love.
- If you like spicy things, take the heat up by adding more adobo and chipotle chilies. This can easily be reduced as well while still enjoying a bit of spicy without it being over the top.
- This dip packs with ease for road trips and picnics!
Chipotle Black Bean Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 C (878g) Cooked Black Beans cooled and drained (2, 15 1/2 oz Cans)
- 1-2 Chipotle Chili Peppers from a can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (adjust to taste - 1 for medium, 2 for spicy), gluten free if needed* see note
- 1 tsp Adobo Sauce from a can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce* see note
- 1/4 + 1/8 tsp Cumin ground
- 2 Large Cloves of Garlic smashed
- 3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt or more to taste
- Fist-Full of Cilantro or to taste stems and leaves
- 1/2 Lime juiced
- 1 1/4 Tbs Olive Oil
Instructions
- To the bowl of a food processor, with the S blade attachment, add the beans, chili pepper(s), adobo sauce, 1/2 lime juice, garlic, salt, and cilantro. Process, adding the olive oil with the processor running, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl and making sure the cilantro gets pushed into the blades. Process for about 1-2 minutes until smooth. Adjust thickness with more lime juice to taste and/or water (1/2 tsp at a time) if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving so the flavors marry. It will thicken a bit as it sets in the fridge.
- Serve with chips, lime wedges and chopped cilantro as a garnish. Store for up to three days in a lidded container in refrigerator.
Oh my, that is so exciting that the boxes have little eggs!! I can’t wait to see them hatch into beautiful little babies, assuming you are able to get a shot of them. Either way, that’s so wonderful. I know those Chickadees appreciate what you and Rob have done for them.
We didn’t do much to celebrate Cinco de Mayo but not a week passes where we don’t eat Mexican food so there’s always that, haha. I wish I had some of this black bean dip for the holiday because it sounds incredible. You can’t go wrong with that smoky chipotle flavor!
SO exciting, Sarah! And they just hatched yesterday! Hooray! We’re leaving the box alone for now due to this critical time of growing and feeding. We don’t want to discourage the parents from visiting the nest at all. So I’m keeping tabs on the activity and I can say the parents are busy as ever! In and out, in and out of that box – feeding the little dees!
Yesss to Mexican food every week! Same here! And that chipotle flavor – always in season! :D
Such an appetizing dip, Traci! My friends will love it!
Thank you Agness!
why are we not neighbors. sigh.. we would have so much fun with dips and good food in general. BEAUTY of a dish
I’d love that Linds! xo
I made an almost identical chipotle black bean dip the other day and it was so good! I didn’t think I liked chipotle peppers for some reason but I started experimenting with them and it turns out I’m a big fan :) I could eat this entire bowl!
Once you’ve cooked with it, it becomes a pantry staple! Such a great discovery Izzy! Can’t wait to see what you whip up with that chipotle!
I love a good dip and this is so perfect for summer entertaining! Just add a margarita, and I’m all set. ;)
I absolutely enjoy having black beans in my pantry and I love this Traci. Just so perfect for the dip with chipotle
Looking forward to hearing more the stories.
xo
Whats better than chips and dips! I always keep cans of beans for quick breakfast but never tried dips. You got me tempted!
I love a good bean dip! And I enjoyed reading a little about your Chickadee saga :)
Me too… keeping this on hand is so convenient! And the saga continues Phyllis! :D
totally craving all the black bean dip right now.. looks SO delicious.
Thank you Thalia!
So fun reading about the nests you built and the eggs that the chickadees have laid! What a fun project! We got a bee house today that we plan to put in the garden to attract bees to help with pollination and bee growth.
I love your recipe for the black bean dip, and I love chipotle adobo! Its the best thing ever created, and your addition in the black bean dip is yum :)
Thaaank you Amisha! So happy to hear you have a bee house. Rob and I have been talking about that too… so our next project will include a few bee boxes as well as a few more nest boxes for birds. LOVE it! I hope you get some bees in your box!
I’m with you on the chipotle adobo.. I feel like I put it in/on everything! I always have a jar in the fridge and/or freezer. :D
Sorry – forgot to rate the recipe with my comment above. 5 stars for sure!!!
Thaaank you Heather! :D
Loving the happy news! Thank you for sharing the chickadee updates and the important reminder of how nature can rebound when given the chance. I love that! And I love this dip! All I need to grab are the chipotle chili peppers! Such a nice weekend treat! Have a great day, my friend! xo
Watching the chickadee story unfold is so fun! Thank you for following the drama, Annie! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I’m so excited for you and Rob and the chickadees Traci! I love seeing the photos! So happy that your attempts to help the birds have been such a huge success. This is one dip that Tom and I will both enjoy. We are both big fans of black beans, so this one will surely be added to our summer entertaining menu. Thanks so much for sharing and congrats on your save the chickadees mission! Well done!
SO fun, Mary Ann! Summer entertaining is a great way to enjoy this dip… and it’s so easy. I hope you and Tom enjoy it!
Oh my goodness Traci. I can’t believe they moved right into the house immediately. They must have been pre-approved. . .or perhaps they paid all cash. He! He! Sorry couldn’t stop the visual in my head. Either way I’m happy to hear that they have settled right in. It must be a lot of fun watching them build their little family. And this bean dip. . .such a perfect way to refuel after all that nest checking. I’ll take this with a couple of margaritas any day and every day.
It was if they knew all along we built it just for them! And they’re regular visitors to our feeder, so we knew we could entice them to hang out and raise their young here. We’re so happy about this situation and it’s such a joy to watch it all unfold. Pre-approved indeed! Nest checking everyday if bean dip and margaritas are involved! :D
Well thank you for bringing attention to the real reason behind Cinco de Mayo. It’s very easy to get caught up in ALL the margaritas, Mexican munchies and forget there is actually a real meaning behind the day. I’m loooving this dip, Traci! I’m a huge fan of black beans and all things spicy (as you know), so this dip has my name written all over it! I could easily eat a vat of this with just a spoon!! I hope you have a beautiful Cinco de Mayo, dear friend! Cheers! XO
I hear ya Chey… but all the food? Why yes please! And why not, right? You’ll love the chipotle in these beans!
Yay for the chickadee pictures, Traci – can’t wait for the eggs to hatch – keep us posted! Love this easy, fast, yummy dip. Perfect for cinco de mayo or any day! Hope you have a great cinco de mayo and a cocktail (or two) to celebrate.
Hooray! I just snapped a new pic last night of the eggs… that sweet dee is incubating so diligently! I hope you enjoy the dip, Geraldine. Easy and with cocktails? I’m in!
This looks sooooo tasty! Paired up with some guacamole and I think I have my next party app (heart eyes)
SO easy and quick! And with guacamole! I often use this in a 7 layer dip as the base… soooo good! I hope you enjoy it Meredith!
What a great dip to whip up especially since I’ve got all the ingredients on hand. Thanks for sharing the chickadee update…look forward to hearing more chapters of this story. I will be forever in awe of Mother Nature and anytime I can lend her a hand I feel humbled as well. Salud, Traci!
Made a batch or actually a triple batch tonight because I cooked up a few more black beans than the recipe called for. Enjoyed it with a veggie platter. It was quick and easy to make and really yummy! Will be making this one often! Thanks so much for the recipe and the chickadee story too! Those cute little birds nest each spring in what was originally meant to be a decorative bird house on my porch…they have been back each year for the past 4 years! Fun to watch them attend to their babies. Might be my imagination but it seems that each year I have more and more chickadees at the birdfeeder and I imagine generation after generation returning!
I loved reading this, Heather! I imagine generation after generation returning too! I wonder if they have site affinity like Bald Eagles or Osprey for example? I’d like to find out! SO happy you enjoyed the bean dip! I sometimes make a double and throw half in the freezer.. it’s so convenient! Thank you for your note… !
Awh, no doubt Jean… as I type, the two adults are in and out of the box… no chicks yet, but they are incubating! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D