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Fresh Garlic Scape and White Bean Protein Dip with Lemon Zest

fresh garlic scape and white bean protein dip - featured image

A creamy, zesty dip made from fresh garlic scapes and white beans, enhanced with lemon zest and juice for a bright, fresh flavor. Perfect for quick snacks, entertaining, and packed with plant-based protein.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 56 fresh garlic scapes, chopped
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 23 tablespoons water or aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas) to thin dip as needed
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Rinse 5-6 garlic scapes under cold water, then chop into roughly 1-inch pieces. If very thick, slice lengthwise for easier blending. (5 minutes)
  2. Zest 1 medium lemon using a microplane or zester, avoiding white pith. Juice the lemon to yield about 2 tablespoons of fresh juice. Set aside. (3 minutes)
  3. Open and rinse a 15 oz can of cannellini beans under cold water to remove excess salt and canning liquid. Drain thoroughly. (2 minutes)
  4. Add white beans, chopped garlic scapes, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and optional minced garlic clove to a food processor or blender. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Blend until smooth, scraping sides as needed. (3-4 minutes)
  5. If dip is too thick, add 2-3 tablespoons water or aquafaba and pulse until desired creamy, spreadable consistency is reached. (1-2 minutes)
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice. For a spicy kick, add smoked paprika or red pepper flakes and pulse once to combine. (1 minute)
  7. Transfer dip to a serving bowl. Serve immediately with veggies, crackers, or pita chips, or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld (optional).

Notes

Avoid over-blending to prevent the dip from becoming too thin or pasty. Use fresh garlic scapes for best flavor; substitute with green onions or mild garlic if unavailable. Rinse canned beans well to remove excess sodium and metallic taste. Pulse blending in short bursts helps maintain texture and prevents overheating the motor. Chill dip for 30 minutes to enhance lemon zest aroma. Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days; freeze up to 1 month but texture may change.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape dip, white bean dip, protein dip, vegan dip, gluten-free dip, lemon zest dip, healthy snack, easy dip recipe