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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Easy Refried Bean Dip (without cream cheese) with Chorizo

Published: Oct 30, 2019 Last Updated: Sep 2024 by Lindsay This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and enjoy. 8 Comments

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5 from 8 ratings
refried bean dip pan with text overlay

One of the best easy dips ever! Chorizo bean dip made with canned refried beans, sour cream, and cheese. Ingredients are layered then baked for a delicious, gooey dip that is perfect with chips or fritos. Crispy chorizo adds flavor, or use soyrizo for a vegetarian refried bean dip version. PRO TIP: sour cream guacamole is very, very good with this bean dip.

Hello and HI, Happy Halloween if you're into that sort of thing, happy end of October, happy fall, all of the happy.

rectangular baking dish of cheesy bean dip surrounded by chips.

Want to Read Later?

You can email this post to yourself (or anyone else!), so you can come back to it later!

It's a really busy week so I'm thinking if I just type HAPPY over and over it will be come true?

Recipe Notes

You've had refried bean dip before, right? I've been making versions for years: first (classic 3 ingredient refried bean dip), a can of refried beans with a packet of taco seasoning and some cheese in my college apartment, then my own spice mix, and somewhere along the way I added crispy chorizo because when is that not a good idea?

It is never not a good idea.

Blue baking dish of hot bean dip topped with cilantro and tomatoes.

In short, refried bean dip is a layered dip with canned refried beans, some cheesy/dairy, and some spices. There are tons of variations, and all of them are very, very good.

It's served with mountains of crispy, salty tortilla chips, is gluten free on its own, and all God's people said Amen.

In this version we have: extra seasoned refried AND pinto beans, spicy crispy chorizo, cool sour cream, melty cheese, and a mountain of chips for dunking.

This bean dip is really REALLY easy and a huge crowd pleaser. One of those recipes that maybe doesn't look like much, but man the flavors are epic.

**Note that this is a refried bean dip without cream cheese. I use sour cream instead, but some recipes call for cream cheese which is also really delicious.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

Glass bowl with refried beans for hot bean dip and spices.
  • Beans: I use one can of refried beans and one can of pinto beans in my bean dip. You can use all refried beans if you prefer! Lightly drain the pinto beans so there will be a bit of liquid left to loosen the dip up a bit.
  • Beans.2: ABSOLUTELY YES you can use homemade refried beans if you'd like to - they are so delicious to make yourself if you have the time.
  • Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Homemade taco seasoning! I use this blend on ground beef for tacos and it is DELICIOUS.
  • Chorizo: Look for Mexican chorizo in the refrigerated section - I usually find it near queso and other Mexican cheeses, not near bulk sausages. Crisp it up in a skillet before you assemble the dip, or do this step in advance.
  • Cheese: Any melty cheese you like works great in this dip! Bagged Mexican blends of cheese are very handy and work perfectly in this recipe. Pepper jack cheese is also particularly delicious to add some spice.
  • Sour Cream: Full-fat, for flavor and the best creaminess, always. Mexican crema also works great if you prefer that.

Recipe Variations

  • This dip is gluten free AS LONG AS you check labels for any hidden gluten.
  • Make this vegetarian by subbing soyrizo for the chorizo or leaving out the chorizo altogether. My favorite soyrizo comes from Trader Joe's and lasts in the fridge forever.
  • Add spice with some hot sauce or chopped jalapenos.
Close up top view of refried bean dip with tortilla chips for dipping.

Bean Dip Recipe FAQ

Is refried beans the same as bean dip?

Nope, they're different! Refried beans usually refers to a side dish or ingredient - in this case we're using canned refried beans. To make bean dip, we're adding cheese and other flavors to the beans.

Can refried bean dip be frozen?

Technically, yes. However, this recipe is so fast to throw together that I recommend NOT freezing it since the texture of the dairy will change a bit after the dip has thawed. If you can, make this fresh.

Do you have to cook refried beans for dip?

Nope! They get spread into a baking dish straight from the can and will soften as the dip bakes into a dip-able consistency.

Step By Step Instructions

To start! Crisp some chorizo. Break it up with a spoon in the pan over medium heat until the chorizo has some crispy bits at the edge and is cooked through. Transfer it to paper towels to drain if you'd like to remove some of the grease.

Black skillet with cooked crumbled chorizo.

When the chorizo is done, or during that time, mix up the beans. Pinto beans, refried beans, lots of spices. Depending on how much liquid is left in your can of pinto beans, this will be a little bit soupy, but the beans set up a good bit after they cook and cool.

Also during this time, grate cheese and mix half of the cheese with sour cream in a separate bowl.

At this point we have: the bean and spice mixture, the sour cream mixture, and crispy chorizo.

Now: layer. Beans first!

rectangular baking dish with layer of beans for dip.

Then the chorizo, sprinkled over the beans.

rectangular baking dish with layer of beans and chorizo for dip.

Dollops of cheesy sour cream, looks gross but trust the process.

rectangular baking dish with layer of beans topped with sour cream for dip.

The rest of the cheese.

rectangular baking dish with unbaked refried bean dip topped with cheese.

Aaaand done. Excellent. Lovely. Glorious. Cheese bean dip for president.

Bake the dip at 375F for 20 minutes or so until the dip is hot and bubbly all the way through.

Make Ahead Instructions

  • You can assemble this in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days; just bake it a little bit longer to be sure the beans are hot all the way through.
  • You can also make this early in the day and stick it in the fridge or keep it on the counter, then bake it right before serving.
large baking dish with hot bean dip surrounded by chips.

How To Serve Bean Dip

Throw some fresh stuff on top for extra oomph, and is it just me or is this looking all kind of Christmasy even though it's just Halloween? Maybe bookmark it (we do not bookmark things anymore, I know) as a very yummy and festive Christmas appetizer option.

I love this as part of an appetizer spread, and I usually add extra chips and salsa + guacamole to serve as a cool counterpart to the hot bean dip.

My favorite toppings are:

  • cilantro
  • fresh or pickled jalapenos
  • finely chopped onion
  • chopped tomato
  • black olives

Add tons of chips on the side for dipping, and prepare for this to be devoured ASAP. It is seriously SO good, warm and comforting, just all around a very yummy and easy appetizer for parties or football watching situations.

Top view of refried bean dip without cream cheese topped with tomatoes, jalapeno, and cilantro.

Ultimate best ever comforting calming happy refried bean dip of your dreams.

You're welcome.

Recipe

baking pan of hot bean dip topped with cheese and tomatoes.

Refried Bean Dip with Chorizo

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
The best refried bean dip EVER with layers of cheese, chorizo, and creamy dreamy seasoned refried beans. 
5 from 8 ratings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican

Equipment

  • Box Grater
  • Nonstick Skillet
  • Le Creuset Baker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can refried beans
  • 1 can pinto beans lightly drained
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 8 ounces crumbled cooked Mexican chorizo
  • 14 ounces grated melty cheese monterrey jack, queso quesadilla, etc
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Toppings: sliced jalapeno diced tomatoes, cilantro leaves, anything you love!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375F. In a bowl, combine both cans of beans with the spices. Mash the pinto beans lightly with a fork as you mix.
  • Combine half of the grated cheese with the sour cream and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
  • Layer the dip in a large baking dish (9x13 or equivalent): all the beans, the chorizo, the sour cream mixture, and the remaining grated cheese.
  • Bake the dip for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Top with fresh stuff, serve with chips, YES.

Notes

Make Ahead: I make this in advance often and keep it in the fridge for a day or two before I bake it. You'll need to add some baking time, and it's ready when it's hot and bubbly!
Gluten Free: This dish is gluten free as written, just check labels to be extra sure.
Cheese: Grating your own cheese will make this dip extra melty; bagged grated cheese also works well to save some time.
Chorizo: Mexican chorizo is sold uncooked in bulk or in casings. The casings usually aren't edible; squeeze the sausage from the casing into the pan, then crisp it up.
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea

    December 12, 2022 at 10:55 pm

    5 stars
    love a good refried beans recipe. so so good!

    Reply
  2. Jere Cassidy

    December 12, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    Normally I make a cold bean dip which we love, but I tried your recipe and it was gone in minutes. Making it again.

    Reply
  3. Sue

    December 12, 2022 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    The chorizo really takes this bean dip up a notch! I can't wait to make it again!

    Reply
  4. Angela

    December 12, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    5 stars
    This dip is so easy to make and the chorizo gives it such a great flavor.

    Reply
  5. Emily

    December 12, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    This was amazing, everyone loved it! My new go recipe to for game day!

    Reply
  6. Jessica Formicola

    December 12, 2022 at 12:10 pm

    5 stars
    This bean dip was amazing! Definitely making for every party!

    Reply
  7. Bernice

    December 12, 2022 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    So many flavours in one bowl. Like a party in my mouth!

    Reply
  8. Audrey

    December 12, 2022 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    This is so good. IT is a must for a party!!

    Reply
5 from 8 votes

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Image of Lindsay Howerton-Hastings smiling sitting on dark gray couch wearing chambray blue shirt.

Hi! I'm Lindsay. I'm a maternal mental health therapist, a recipe developer, food writer, and taker of all kinds of pictures. Thank you so much for being here! This blog is about how to take care of yourself and your people without taking anything too seriously.

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