Cheesy Refried Bean Dip

Creamy, rich, and packed with bold Tex-Mex flavor, this Cheesy Refried Bean Dip is your new favorite way to elevate snack time. Combining smoky bacon, velvety white beans, melty cheese, and jalapeño heat, it’s everything you want in a party dip—plus a little more. Whether you serve it with chips, spoon it into a tortilla, or just enjoy it by the bite, this dip delivers satisfaction with every mouthful.

Inspired by traditional frijoles refritos and spicy queso fundido, this dish is perfect for gatherings, game day, or any time you’re craving something warm and indulgent. Make a big batch, and watch it disappear—it’s that addicting.

Full Recipe:

• 1 ½ cups cooked white beans (Chivo Blanco, Mayocoba, or Pinto beans)

• ½ cup reserved bean broth

• 4 slices of bacon

• 1 fresh jalapeño, diced (remove seeds for less heat)

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or queso asadero)

• ¼ cup finely chopped onion (optional)

• Salt, to taste

Directions:

• Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels, keeping the bacon grease in the skillet. Once cooled, crumble the bacon.

• Refry the Beans: Add cooked beans and bean broth to the bacon fat. Mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the beans thicken.

• Add Flavor: Remove skillet from heat and stir in shredded cheese, diced jalapeño, and bacon bits. Mix until melty and well combined.

• Serve Warm: Pair with tortilla chips, tostadas, or spoon into warm tortillas for an irresistible snack.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 280 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

History and Origin

The roots of this dip are embedded in two classic Mexican comfort foods: frijoles refritos (refried beans) and queso fundido (melted cheese dip). Frijoles refritos have been a staple in Mexican cuisine for generations. Traditionally made by mashing and frying cooked beans—often with lard or oil—this method was both a way to preserve cooked beans and make them even more flavorful. They’re commonly served as a side dish or as a filling for tacos, burritos, and other antojitos.

Queso fundido, on the other hand, is a Mexican cheese dip made with melting cheeses like Oaxaca or Chihuahua, sometimes spiced up with chorizo or roasted peppers. Served bubbling hot, it’s perfect for scooping with warm tortillas or chips.

This bean dip is a delicious fusion of the two, combining the creamy texture of refried beans with the melty indulgence of cheese—and elevating the mix with jalapeños and crispy bacon. While not strictly traditional, it’s rooted in authentic techniques and flavors, making it a contemporary classic in Mexican-American kitchens.

Variations and Adaptations

One of the great things about this dish is how adaptable it is. While the original calls for white beans like Chivo Blanco or Mayocoba, you can just as easily use pinto beans or even black beans, depending on what you have in your pantry. Want a vegetarian version? Skip the bacon and use a rich vegetable oil or even butter to sauté your beans. To mimic the smoky flavor, add a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

For those looking to up the heat, you can substitute jalapeños with serranos or habaneros—or roast the peppers beforehand for deeper flavor. If you love the idea of more texture, try stirring in roasted corn, caramelized onions, or even cooked chorizo.

There are also regional influences to consider. In the American Southwest, you’ll often see versions of this dip with green chile or pepper jack cheese. In Tex-Mex-style adaptations, it’s not uncommon to find it layered in a casserole dish with ground beef, salsa, or guacamole to make a full-on party dip experience.

Nutritional Information

While this dip leans toward indulgent, it also offers nutritional value—especially when prepared with whole food ingredients. Here’s a closer look at its macronutrient breakdown, assuming a serving of around ½ cup:

Calories: ~280 kcal
Protein: ~12g
Fat: ~18g (with a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats from bacon and cheese)
Carbohydrates: ~18g
Fiber: ~5g (thanks to the beans)
Sugar: <2g

Micronutrient-wise, beans provide a rich source of iron, magnesium, potassium, and folate, while cheese adds calcium and vitamin B12. The jalapeños bring in a small dose of vitamin C and capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat and anti-inflammatory properties.

While it’s not an everyday dish for those watching sodium or fat intake, it certainly can fit into a balanced lifestyle when served in reasonable portions.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This dip is incredibly versatile. Serve it warm in a cast-iron skillet or a ceramic baking dish, surrounded by a generous bowl of tortilla chips. It’s also excellent spooned into warm flour or corn tortillas for a quick taco-style snack. For something heartier, use it as a filling for quesadillas or layer it into a Mexican-style baked dip with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.

If you’re building a full spread, pair it with bright, crunchy options to balance the richness: think a tangy cabbage slaw, pickled red onions, or a fresh pico de gallo. Want to keep things festive? Serve with Mexican street corn (elote) and agua fresca or a crisp Mexican lager like Pacifico or Modelo.

For wine lovers, a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a slightly sweet Riesling can be a refreshing counterpoint to the dip’s heat and depth.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Soak the beans overnight if you’re cooking them from scratch. It reduces cooking time and improves texture. If you forget, a quick one-hour soak will still help.

• Save your bacon grease! It adds incredible flavor to the beans when refrying.

• Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded varieties often have anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.

• Control the spice. Remove the seeds from your jalapeños for milder heat, or leave them in for more fire.

• Don’t skip the mashing. Use a potato masher for the perfect creamy-chunky texture—don’t over-purée, or it can get gummy.

• Serve it warm. This dip tastes best straight from the skillet. If prepping ahead, reheat gently and stir in a splash of bean broth or water to loosen it up.

Potential Health Benefits

Even though it’s a comfort dish, this dip has more to offer than just great taste. The beans are a plant-based protein powerhouse packed with fiber, which aids digestion, keeps you full, and helps stabilize blood sugar. They’re also rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, and magnesium, all of which support heart and brain health.

Jalapeños bring capsaicin to the table—a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and metabolism-boosting properties. Meanwhile, the cheese, when eaten in moderation, provides essential calcium for strong bones and protein for muscle repair.

Bacon adds flavor, but if you’re looking to reduce saturated fat, turkey bacon or even plant-based bacon alternatives can be used without sacrificing too much taste.

Conclusion

This Cheesy Refried Bean Dip is more than just a party appetizer—it’s a flavorful celebration of Mexican culinary tradition, updated with crowd-pleasing comfort and versatility. Whether you’re serving it at your next gathering or enjoying it solo as a snack, it delivers warmth, flavor, and satisfaction in every scoop.

Try it once, and chances are, it’ll become a regular part of your entertaining rotation. From its creamy texture to its smoky-spicy kick, it’s proof that humble ingredients can create something truly memorable.

Now go grab your skillet and your favorite chips—this dip’s too good to miss.