• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
It's Not Complicated Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
×
Home » Recipe Index » Dips

Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip

Published: Jun 10, 2020 · Updated: Jul 23, 2021 Author: Alexandra Cook

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

983 shares
Leave Review

Entertaining is made easy with this delicious Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip! Using pantry staples of canned tuna and white beans, this dip comes together in minutes with some delicious fresh ingredients added into the mix!

Black dish of tuna and white bean dip on black marble background.

Why we love this recipe:

I love easily made dips that are packed full of flavour. They are so simple to prepare, and much more economical than store-bought. I also love the peace of mind knowing exactly what ingredients they contain.

Dips are so versatile – there really is something for everyone to enjoy. I love preparing dip platters when entertaining. They’re colourful, healthy and so delicious!

This Tuna and White Bean Dip is fresh tasting and vibrant; the addition of lemon, parsley and garlic helping to enhance the flavour.

This dip is gluten-free and is perfect served alongside some celery, carrot and capsicum sticks for a healthy lunch or appetiser.

I use these ingredients:

ingredients in tuna and white bean dip on a white background.

Canned Cannellini Beans – drain well and rinse before blending.

Canned Tuna – use tuna in oil for the best flavour.

Sea salt – we recommend sea salt flakes.

Garlic – use a small garlic clove (not garlic powder or from a jar)

Mayonnaise – Use a good quality, whole-egg mayonnaise for the best flavour.

Parsley – I prefer Italian/flat-leaf parsley. I like the texture and flavour more than curly parsley.

Cayenne pepper – omit if you don’t want a little heat, or are hoping to make this recipe suitable for children. (You can always sprinkle a little on top of the dip later.)

Spring onion – Spring onions/scallions add a lovely flavour to the dish. You could also add a shallot or quarter of a red or brown/yellow onion if you prefer.

Lemon – We love the freshness of the zest and juice in this recipe, and therefore recommend using fresh lemon, and not the juice from a bottle.

Step by Step Instructions:

Chop up some veggie sticks and make some pita chips and then whip up this easy to prepare Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip.

the two steps to make the tuna and white bean dip.
  1. Drain your tuna and beans, and add them, along with all of the other ingredients to a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Garnish and serve!

Tips for success and FAQs:

I love simple recipes with few ingredients, but this means one thing – you need to use quality to achieve maximum flavour. This Tuna and White Bean Dip is no exception.

For the very best flavour, use a good quality brand of tuna. I prefer to use canned tuna in oil – I think the flavour is so much more complex. However, if you prefer, you can also use tuna in spring water.

Be sure to drain and rinse the cannellini beans well before blending into the dip.

Can I use other beans in this recipe?

Yes, you can. We have also tried this recipe with chickpeas. Butter beans would also be fine.

Can I use dried beans to make this dip?

Absolutely! You’ll just need to factor in additional time to soak and cook your beans.

Can this dip be made in advance?

This dip will keep in the fridge for three days, so can be made in advance. Allow the dip to come to room temperature before serving, and only garnish when you are ready to consume.

Black dish of tuna and white bean dip on black marble background.

Other great recipes for you to try:

We always have a can of tuna and beans on hand – here are some more recipes that feature these delicious ingredients!:

Canned Tuna Recipes:

  • Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
  • Tuna and Potato Patties
  • Easy Tuna Dip
  • Creamy Tuna Pasta

Canned Bean Recipes:

  • Easy Hummus
  • Cannellini Bean Dip
  • Red Kidney Bean Dip
  • Charred Corn and Black Bean Salad
  • Roasted Carrot Hummus
Black dish of tuna and white bean dip on black marble background.

Or, if you’re entertaining and want to create a colourful dip platter, here are some more dips you can try:

  • Avocado, Yoghurt and Mint Dip
  • Caramelised Onion Dip
  • Green Goddess Dip
  • Pea and Mint Dip
  • Smoked Salmon Pate
  • Roasted Capsicum Pesto
  • Whipped Feta
  • Baba Ganoush

I hope you’ll love this Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip as much as we do! Be sure to let me know in the comments below what you think!

Alex xx

Black dish of tuna and white bean dip on black marble background.

Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip

Entertaining is made easy with this delicious Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip! Using pantry staples of canned tuna and white beans, this dip comes together in minutes with some delicious fresh ingredients added into the mix!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Review
Course: Appetiser, Dip, Starter
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

Please note:

For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.

Ingredients

For the Dip:

  • 185 g can of tuna in oil See Note 1
  • 425 g can of cannellini beans See Note 2
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 2 spring onions/scallions – white part and some of the green See Note 3
  • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise See Note 4
  • 2 teaspoon fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • sea salt, to taste

For the Garnish:

  • lemon zest
  • cayenne pepper
  • fresh parsley
  • olive oil

Instructions

  • Drain your tuna and beans.
    Rinse the beans well.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor.
  • Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Garnish and serve!

Notes

  1. I use canned tuna in oil as I prefer the flavour. 
  2. I use a can of cannellini beans for this recipe, which I rinse and drain well. You can also use dried beans which you have soaked and cooked.
  3. You could also use a shallot or ¼ of a red or yellow/brown onion if you are unable to find spring onions/scallions.
  4. Use a good quality whole-egg mayonnaise.
  5. The serving size and nutritional information is based on six people sharing the dip as a starter/appetiser.
Made this recipe? We’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment and rating at the bottom of the page!

Nutrition Estimate:

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutritional Disclaimer:

The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

« Red Kidney Bean Dip
Pineapple Iced Tea »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen Leanne Wild

    December 16, 2024 at 6:08 am

    5 stars
    This has become a staple in my household.
    Simple, filling, delicious and inexpensive.

    Reply
    • Alexandra Cook

      December 16, 2024 at 6:36 am

      Love to hear this, Kristen!
      Thank you 🙂 Alex xo

      Reply
  2. Pauline

    July 09, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    5 stars
    Have made this once this week already and going to make again tonight as it’s awesome

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      July 11, 2021 at 11:54 am

      That is so great to hear, Pauline!

      Reply
  3. Dana

    July 01, 2020 at 3:56 am

    5 stars
    Delicious and so easy to make! We all loved snacking on this dip and it made a great addition to my lunch 🙂

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      July 01, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      Dana, I am so pleased that you made and enjoyed the Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Karen

    June 12, 2020 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    I love white beans and love tuna! This dip is delicious! Beautiful pics Alex!

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      June 12, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Karen, thank you for the lovely comments. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Alex.

Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. 

Learn more

Popular Recipes

  • Round dish of cooked patties sitting on some baking paper, garnished with parsley.
    Chickpea Patties (Vegan and Gluten Free)
  • Overhead shot of Lemon Curd Cake, with a slice missing, sitting on a round white dish.
    Lemon Curd Cake (Gluten-Free Option)
  • up close bowl of soup on a grey cloth, another bowl in the background to the right, some sliced bread to the left and two silver spoons on the side.
    Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
  • Gluten-Free Almond Cookies

Comfort Food

  • Skillet with a tomato sauce and the ricotta gnocchi sitting on top, with a wooden spoon about to combine them.
    Gnocchi di Ricotta (Ricotta Gnocchi)
  • Eggplant Involtini – Italian comfort food
  • Overhead shot of cooked casserole, sitting on a brown cloth, with some parsley, feta and olives around the edge.
    Mediterranean Chicken Casserole
  • Bowl of mac and cheese.
    Bacon Mac and Cheese

Recent Recipes

  • Date and Lemon Buttermilk Scones on a baking paper lined baking tray.
    Date and Lemon Scones
  • Photo collage of four dip recipes - green goddess, cannellini bean, tuna and whipped ricotta.
    The Best Dip Recipes
  • Open glass jar of Nectarine Chutney, sitting on a small white plate, with a spoon scooping up some chutney.
    Nectarine Chutney
  • Round bowl of Chocolate Raspberry Porridge topped with yoghurt, flaked almonds and raspberries, with a spoon on the edge.
    Chocolate Raspberry Porridge (Stovetop Oatmeal)

Footer

About

  • Our Story
  • Recipes
  • Blog

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy (GDPR)
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms Of Use

Contact

  • Contact
  • Subscribe

↑ back to top

COPYRIGHT © 2025 · IT'S NOT COMPLICATED RECIPES® | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

983 shares