Creamy, smoky and completely moreish, this roasted red pepper dip is a wonderful alternative to hummus — and one of the best vegan dip recipes for a sharing spread. Butter beans create a silky base while freshly roasted peppers add sweetness and depth. Quick to make and impossible to stop eating, especially with warm flatbreads, grilled vegetables and olives alongside.
Ingredients
- 1 x 400g tin butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 red peppers, roasted and peeled
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings
- Extra drizzle of olive oil
- Chilli flakes
- Chopped parsley
To serve
- Warm flatbreads or toasted sourdough
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Grilled courgette and asparagus
- Olives
- Cherry tomatoes
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200°C. Place the whole red peppers on a baking tray and roast for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until the skins are charred and the peppers are soft.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover and leave to steam for 10 minutes. Peel away the skins and remove the seeds.
- Add the roasted peppers, butter beans, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, agave syrup and smoked paprika to a blending jug.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dip is too thick, add a tablespoon of water or a little extra olive oil and blend again.
- Taste and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spoon into a serving bowl and swirl the top with the back of a spoon.
- Drizzle with olive oil and finish with chilli flakes or chopped parsley if using.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready. Keeps well for up to 3 days.
Cook’s note: Roasting your own peppers rather than using jarred makes a real difference — the slight char adds a smokiness that pairs beautifully with the smoked paprika. A tablespoon of tahini blended in makes the texture even more luxurious. This dip improves after an hour in the fridge as the flavours settle, making it a brilliant make-ahead option for entertaining.
