• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Missing Lokness

Easy Everyday Recipes

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • So-Cal Travel Guide
  • Privacy Policy

Cheesy Black Bean Dip

April 15, 2021 By Lokness 1 Comment

This Cheesy Black Bean Dip is my copycat version of the cheesy bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos! Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. Once you started, you’ll want to finish the whole thing!

Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness

Trejo’s Tacos is a newer taco joint in Los Angeles and it’s started by actor Danny Trejo. It first opened in 2016 and now, it has more than 7 locations, including LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). Not only Danny is a badass, his tacos are just as incredible! Other than tacos, Bryan and I love their cheesy bean dip too. We ordered it every single time. It’s creamy, hearty and irresistible! This is my copycat recipe of their dip.

This bean dip looks ordinary, but there’re lots of flavors. The trick of making this dip is by layering flavors. First, jalapeño. I don’t eat too much spicy food, but Bryan insisted on adding jalapeño. He said it added a little kick and a bright green flavor. After trying, I agree with him. In fact, one jalapeño really wasn’t spicy at all. If you like spicy food, go for at least two. Roast the jalapeño(s) on open flame until charred all around. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam the pepper for a while. Then, the skin can be easily rubbed off. The skin can be slimy and tasted bitter after roasting.

Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness
Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness

Next, sauté onions and bell peppers. They added some sweetness and green flavors. Don’t forget the garlic. Put all those in a blender or food processor. Then, canned black beans with the liquid. To make a smooth blend, liquid is needed. Now, the cheese. I used two kinds, Monterey Jack and Cotija. Monterey Jack is mild and creamy, and Cotija is salty and stronger like a feta. By combing both, you get the smooth creamy dip yet a strong cheese taste.

Blend everything until smooth. Add enough water, so the dip can be blended easily. It will take a few minutes. Taste and adjust. Pour the dip into a medium pot. Cook and reduce until the dip is thick enough to coat a spoon. You should have about 2 cups at this point. Keep in mind that the dip will thicken more as it cools. I actually didn’t add any salt at all. There’re salt in the canned bean to start with, and the Cotija is salty too.

And right before you serve this dip, stir in a little crema or sour cream. Crumble some Cotija cheese and sprinkle over. And zest a lime over the tortilla chips and dip. That little zest gave a nice aromatic and citrus flavor to the dish. It’s a must! Serve this dip warm.

Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness

Yes, this dish can be made ahead. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Just save the topping until you’re ready to serve. Reheat the dip in the microwave or over stove top. It will taste just as good as the day you made it.

Bryan and I are crazy about this dip. Both of the times I made this, it was right before dinner. And we were all over it and couldn’t stop eating even though we know we shouldn’t. Although my version is not 100% like the dip at Trejo’s Tacos, it’s pretty close in my opinion. So I urge you to give this dip a try. Great to serve for a game day or party. I promise you’ll love this!

Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness
Cheesy Black Bean Dip | This is my copycat recipe of the bean dip at Trejo’s Tacos. Creamy, savory, cheesy, little sweet, and little citrusy. #blackbean #copycatrecipe #trejostacos #beandip #cheese #cotija #jalapeno #lime #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #makeahed #dinner #partyfood | The Missing Lokness
Print Pin

Cheesy Black Bean Dip

Makes about 2 cups
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword appetizer dip, black bean dip, cheesy bean dip, copycat recipe, creamy bean dip, game day appetizer, make ahead appetizer, party food, Trejo’s Tacos Cheesy Bean Dip copycat
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Lokness

Ingredients

  • 1 – 2 jalapeno(s)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2/3 large onion (sliced)
  • ½ green bell pepper (seeds removed and sliced)
  • 1 garlic glove (peeled and smashed)
  • 1 can black bean (15 ounce)
  • 3½ ounces Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
  • ½ – 1 ounce Cotija cheese, plus more for topping
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon crema or sour cream (optional)
  • Zest of 1 lime

Instructions

  • For the jalapeno(s), washed and pat them dried. Prepare a large heatproof bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Turn the heat to medium on the gas stove, place 1 jalapeno on the metal grate on the open flame. Let it roast until the skin is charred and blackened on all sides, rotating with a metal tongs or long metal skewer. Place the roasted jalapeno in the prepare bowl and cover the bowl securely with the plastic wrap. Set aside for 15 minutes. It will create steam inside the bowl and make it easy to remove the charred skin. If using 2 jalapenos, repeat the steps with the 2nd one.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté until soften and golden brown, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Try not to brown too much. If needed, add a teaspoon of water to prevent browning. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Place the jalapeno(s) on a chopping board, rub the charred skins off the jalapeno with your fingers. Remove the stem with a knife and cut the jalapeno(s) in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and roughly chop the jalapeno(s). Place in a small bowl.
  • In a blender or food processor, add ½ cup water, the onion mixture, black beans ( with the liquid), Monterey Jack cheese, ½ ounce cotija cheese, and 1 jalapeno. Blend until pretty smooth. If needed, add a little bit more water, so the machine can blend easier. Taste and check to see if it’s spicy and cheesy enough. Add more jalapeno and cotija cheese if needed. If it’s salty enough, do not add more cotija cheese. Blend until smooth, about 2 – 3 minutes.
  • In a medium pot, pour in the bean dip. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook until slightly thickened, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt if needed. The dip will thicken more as it cools.
  • Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Stir in the crema or sour cream if using. Crumble some cotija cheese and sprinkle on top. Zest the lime over the dip and tortilla chips. Serve warm.

Notes

  1. This recipe makes about 2 cups of dip, which is enough to serve 4 people. 
  2. For the jalapeno, 1 seems to be pretty mild and barely noticeable. I think 1½ would be a good mild. If you like something hot, definitely go for at least 2. But always start with little first and add more as it goes.
  3. When I’m working with jalapeno, I always wear gloves to prevent chili burn on my hands.
  4. If you don’t want to roast the jalapeno on open flame, you can do it in the oven with the broiler. Cut the jalapeno in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and lay skin side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Broil for just a few minutes until mostly charred. Remove from oven and place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Then rub off the charred skin on the jalapeno with your fingers. They’re ready to be used at this point.
  5. The saltiness level of cotija cheese can be different depends on brands. Start with just ½ ounce, then add more after tasting.
  6. Lime zest add a nice aromatic and citrus taste to the dip and chips. Definitely a must. Zest the lime just before serving.
  7. Leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Filed Under: Appetizer, Cook Tagged With: appetizer, bean dip, black bean, cheese, copycat, game day, jalapeno, make ahead, party food, Trejo's Tacos

Previous Post: « Eton Mess with Strawberry, Mandarin Orange and Lemon
Next Post: Creamy Smoked Paprika Chicken »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Cheesy Black Bean Dip — The Missing Lokness | My Meals are on Wheels says:
    April 19, 2021 at 10:21 am

    […] Cheesy Black Bean Dip — The Missing Lokness […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hello there!

Welcome! I'm Lokness. Currently live in Los Angles. Grew up in Hong Kong. Obsessed with chocolate & ice cream. Cooking is something I love. This is where I share my stories and recipes. Want to know more? Click here.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Never Miss a New Recipe!

Sign up to receive notifications of new posts by email. No spam!

Popular Posts

  • Hong Kong Style Borscht Soup #soup #hongkongfood #vegetables #beefbone #borschtsoup | The Missing Lokness Hong Kong Style Borscht Soup
  • Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (From Scratch) Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (From Scratch) #magnoliabakery #copycatrecipe #banana #pudding #bananapudding #partyfood #nilawafer #dessert #dessertrecipe | The Missing Lokness Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (From Scratch)
  • Easy Sushi Bake #sushibake #hawaiianrecipe #imitationcrab #avocado #easyrecipe #furikake #seaweed #dinner #dinnerrecipe #appetizer | The Missing Lokness Easy Sushi Bake
  • Sangchu Geotjeori (Korean Lettuce Salad)
  • Mendocino Farms Curried Couscous with Roasted Cauliflower #sidedish #pastasalad #couscous #curry | The Missing Lokness Mendocino Farms Curried Couscous with Roasted Cauliflower

missinglokness

🍩 Recipe Developer & Food Lover (I cook & eat around the city!) 🐹 Animals Lover 🏠 Los Angeles🌴(From HK 🇭🇰)

Growing up, I looked forward to my mom’s mango p Growing up, I looked forward to my mom’s mango pudding every summer. That creamy & soft pudding is loaded w/ tons of fresh mangoes. My version is pretty much the same, but I switch out the mango-flavored gelatin mix for fresh mangoes. It tastes incredible & brings me back to my childhood right away! It was the perfect dessert when I was a kid, and it’s still the most satisfying dessert today! 🥭

// What was your favorite childhood dessert? //

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2022/05/20/loaded-mango-pudding/
Sometimes, something simple is the best. My go-to Sometimes, something simple is the best. My go-to is a cheeseburger w/ extra toasted bun & onion. Bryan likes his double-double w/ onion. The fries were perfectly crispy, and I like to dip them in the spread sauce. Please order me 2 fries next time!😂 How do you like your In-N-Out?
Ice cream time! This Vanilla Blueberry Thyme Swirl Ice cream time! This Vanilla Blueberry Thyme Swirl Ice Cream is creamy, little vanilla-y w/ bits of blueberries & a hint of thyme. That vibrant blueberry swirls also makes the prettiest purple color too! I made this ice cream using my blueberry thyme jam, so it’s very easy.🫐🍨

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2022/04/15/vanilla-blueberry-thyme-swirl-ice-cream/
A perfect bowl of Korean shaved ice for a warm nig A perfect bowl of Korean shaved ice for a warm night. We both got Injeolmi, which is milk flavored ice w/ mochi, roasted soybean powder & condensed milk. It was light, little nutty & not too sweet.🍧

🌟Oakobing
📍37 N Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91103
Spring time means berries. Let starts w/ Blueberry Spring time means berries. Let starts w/ Blueberry Thyme Jam! Sweet, lemony & earthy. A nice surprising combo, but both blueberry & thyme compliment each other really well. I once served this once w/ a slice of Basque cheesecake, & it was fantastic! The jam is good on all sort of things, like yogurt and charcuterie board. 🫐

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://themissinglokness.com/2022/03/24/small-batch-blueberry-thyme-jam/
When I think of comfort food, this Satay Beef Cell When I think of comfort food, this Satay Beef Cellophane Noodles in Clay Pot (沙嗲牛肉粉絲煲) definitely is up there on the top. One of my favorites to order in Hong Kong! It’s hearty & rich. That tender beef & noodles are coated w/ a savory & slightly sweet satay sauce. Little kick from the chili & the earthiness from the mushroom. Bold flavors! Please just give me a bowl of rice already! Btw, this takes only 30 mins to put together, which makes a great weeknight dish. 

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://themissinglokness.com/2022/03/10/satay-beef-cellophane-noodles-in-clay-pot/
Maude (@mauderestaurant) has reopened & we’re ba Maude (@mauderestaurant) has reopened & we’re back! It closed down during the pandemic & eventually was selling sweet & savory pies for a while. Once we heard Maude was about to reopen, we made reservation. It’s a 9-course tasting menu w/ the focus on California cuisine this time. Everything was incredible. We chose to sit on the chef’s table & watched them plating & cooking. Precision & speed w/ lots of components. We had our many firsts, like cactus, caviar, & black truffle. Our favorites of the night were caviar w/ peas, abalone & bread w/ aged butter. We really love this place & look forward to going back soon!

🌟Maude
📍212 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
❣️Always a multi-course tasting menu & changes often.
Am I dreaming? Hailing in Pasadena? The mix of hai Am I dreaming? Hailing in Pasadena? The mix of hail & rain probably lasted for a good 30-minute. I was very excited at first, then it got crazy. Hail was collecting everything & my patio started to flood. I took out a broom & removed some of the hail. That worked, the water started to move & subside eventually. So glad my apartment wasn’t flooded. Whew! I have seen hailing, but this is another level. The ground was covered in hail. Really incredible!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · The Missing Lokness · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...