This Taco Bean Dip is a reliably delicious appetizer that’s so easy to make I often prepare it just for myself. The combination of seasoned ground beef, black beans, melted cheddar, and bright fresh toppings—tomato, green onion, and cilantro—comes together quickly and delivers classic taco flavors everyone enjoys.
This warm, comforting dip disappears fast at parties, so it’s a good idea to double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd. It’s also ideal for a simple weeknight snack served with tortilla chips, sour cream, or guacamole.
How to Make Taco Bean Dip
Use a single oven-safe skillet or sauté pan so you can cook on the stove and finish the dish in the oven without transferring to additional dishes. A 10-inch skillet works well and gives a nice rustic presentation, while an oven-safe sauté pan can be transferred to a serving dish if you prefer a neater look.
Begin by heating a 10″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef and break it up with a spoon as it cooks until it’s crumbly and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in most of the finely chopped red onion—reserve about 1/4 cup to use as a fresh topping—and cook until the onion is tender, about 2–3 minutes.
Next add 1 cup of drained, rinsed black beans, one 1-ounce envelope of taco seasoning, and 1/2 cup of water. Stir to coat the beef and beans evenly with the seasoning, then remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese (about 3/4 cup).
Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of cheddar evenly over the top, and return to the oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the dip cool for about five minutes before adding the fresh toppings to avoid wilting them.
Finish by sprinkling the dip with the reserved red onion, chopped plum tomato, chopped green onion, and chopped cilantro. Serve warm with tortilla chips and optional sides like sour cream or guacamole.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 3/4 cup red onion, finely chopped and divided
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix (1 oz.)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 plum tomato, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a 10″ skillet or oven-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until crumbly and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the chopped red onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the black beans, taco seasoning, and water. Stir until the seasoning evenly coats the beef and beans.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow the dip to cool about five minutes.
- Top evenly with the chopped tomato, green onion, cilantro, and the reserved red onion. Serve warm with chips and optional sour cream or guacamole.
Notes
This recipe scales up easily; to serve a larger crowd, double the ingredients and use a 12″ skillet. If you prefer a milder flavor, use a reduced-sodium taco seasoning or adjust the amount to taste. For a meatless variation, substitute cooked crumbled tempeh, textured vegetable protein, or omit the meat and add extra beans and vegetables.
Nutrition (approx.)
Per serving (recipe makes about 6 servings): 329 kcal; Carbohydrates 10 g; Protein 23 g; Fat 25 g; Saturated Fat 11 g; Fiber 3 g; Sodium 252 mg. These values are estimates and will vary based on brands and exact ingredient amounts.
More Appetizer Ideas
- Texas-style beef empanadas
- Jalapeño popper bites
- Baked chicken taquitos
- Green chile cheese quesadillas
- Mexican-style bruschetta
This recipe is a great addition to a home cookbook and also makes a thoughtful handwritten recipe gift for someone special. There’s something timeless about sharing a favorite recipe written in your own hand.
Follow the simple steps above and enjoy this warm, cheesy Taco Bean Dip—perfect for parties, game day, or any time you want a comforting, flavorful snack.
Copyright © Sweet Ordeal. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you republish this recipe, rewrite it in your own words and credit the original source.