White bean hummus
September 4, 2026 · 3 min read
Chickpeas are not the only bean that blends into a good dip. Cannellini beans turn creamier than chickpeas with less work, no skins to worry about, and a milder flavor that leans on the lemon and garlic instead of fighting them. The whole batch comes together in a food processor with no cooking beyond opening two cans.
The consistency is the only thing to watch. Blend the beans first with the oil and lemon so they break down fully, then add water in small amounts at the end — it is easy to add and impossible to take back out.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tahini (optional)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 4 tablespoons water, as needed
Steps
- Combine the cannellini beans, tahini, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor. Blend until mostly smooth, scraping down the sides once or twice.
- With the processor running, drizzle in water a tablespoon at a time until the dip reaches a light, spreadable consistency — it firms up slightly once chilled.
- Taste and adjust the salt or lemon juice, then transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and serve, or refrigerate covered until ready to eat.
How it comes together
Makes 6 servings — read left to right; each column combines what's behind it.
PrepDrain and rinse the beans well — excess liquid is the main reason a batch turns out thin before you have added any water on purpose.
| 2 cans · 500 g cannellini beans15 oz each, drained and rinsed | Blend the base | Finish and serve | |
| ¼ cup · 60 g tahinioptional | |||
| 3 tbsp · 45 g fresh lemon juice | |||
| 3 tbsp · 42 g olive oilplus more for serving | |||
| 2 garlic cloveses | |||
| ½ tsp · 1 g ground cumin | |||
| ½ tsp salt | |||
| water2 to 4 tablespoons, as needed | Thin to consistency |
Scaling adjusts quantities only — cooking times and pan sizes may need judgment. Grams are rounded for the kitchen.
Notes and swaps
Great northern beans or navy beans work in place of cannellini with almost no difference in texture. Skip the tahini entirely if you do not have it or do not care for the flavor — the beans blend smooth without it, just with a little less richness; add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to make up for it. A roasted garlic clove instead of raw mellows the flavor and sweetens it if raw garlic is too sharp for your taste. Smoked paprika, a pinch of cayenne, or fresh herbs blended in change the profile without changing the method. It keeps well covered in the fridge for about five days, and the flavor is often better the day after it is made.
Say what you snacked on and MIND Diet Companion logs the beans and olive oil this dip carries, right alongside whatever you dipped into it.
FAQ
Do I need tahini for this to taste like hummus? No. Tahini adds a nutty background note, but the dip is creamy and full-flavored without it — cannellini beans hold up well on their own with just lemon, garlic, and olive oil.
Can I make this without a food processor? A high-powered blender works, scraping down the sides more often since the mixture is thicker than a typical smoothie. A hand mixer or a sturdy fork gets there too, though the texture stays rougher.
Why is my dip too thin? Beans hold varying amounts of liquid even after draining, so add water slowly and stop as soon as it spreads the way you want. If it goes too thin, blend in a few more beans or a spoonful of tahini to thicken it back up.
What do I serve it with? Cut vegetables, whole-grain pita or crackers, or a spoon straight onto a salad all work. It also spreads well on toast in place of butter or mayo.
How does this compare to the white bean avocado toast? Both start from the same cannellini beans, but this one blends smooth as a make-ahead dip rather than a fresh mash, so it is closer to a snack or spread than a single-serving toast. See white bean avocado toast for the fresh, one-plate version, and MIND diet snack ideas for more ways to build a snack around these same food groups.