There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, velvety dip that tastes like it took hours but is actually pretty simple to whip up. This Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe is one of those treasures—it blends fresh spinach with creamy goodness that’s downright addictive. Once you try it, it’ll become your go-to appetizer for gatherings or cozy nights in.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly get excited every time I make this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe. It’s not just delicious; it strikes the perfect balance between fresh veggies, creamy tang, and just a bit of crunch. It’s one of those dips people can’t stop scooping from the bowl—trust me, I’ve been on the receiving end of some serious compliments and empty chip bags!
- Freshness in Every Bite: Using baby spinach and fresh vegetables keeps it bright and vibrant, never heavy or dull.
- Perfect Creamy Texture: The combination of sour cream and mayo gives it that smooth, luscious mouthfeel that everyone loves.
- Easy To Make Ahead: Letting it chill for a few hours or overnight amps up the flavors, making it even more irresistible.
- Versatile Serving Options: From crackers to colorful veggie sticks or even a bread bowl, it’s always a crowd-pleaser in any presentation.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe plays its part in creating layers of flavor and texture. Fresh baby spinach gives you that earthy green punch, while carrots add a little natural sweetness. The garlic and onion spices punch up the taste, and water chestnuts bring an unexpected crunch that keeps things interesting.
- Olive oil: Perfect for sautéing veggies gently without overpowering the other flavors.
- Carrot: Adds subtle sweetness and a little crunch when shredded fine.
- Yellow onions: Bring savory depth when softened before mixing in the dip.
- Garlic: Adds warmth and a savory note without being too sharp.
- Kosher salt: Ensures the flavors shine and helps balance the dish.
- Black pepper: Gives just a hint of spiciness to keep things lively.
- Fresh baby spinach: The star ingredient—tender, mild, and nutritious.
- Green onions: Fresh pop of mild onion flavor, chopped finely.
- Sour cream: Provides tart creaminess to balance richness and freshness.
- Mayonnaise: Adds luscious smoothness and binds all components beautifully.
- Water chestnuts: Drained and chopped for that delightful surprise crunch.
- Worcestershire sauce: A secret umami booster that deepens the dip’s savory notes.
- Lemon juice: Brightens and lifts the flavors with subtle citrus zing.
- Onion powder, paprika, garlic powder: Blend to add warmth, smokiness, and extra savoriness.
Make It Your Way
This dip is fantastic as-is, but I love making small tweaks depending on the occasion or what’s in my fridge. Don’t hesitate to customize it to your taste—it’s forgiving and flexible!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out sour cream for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that’s equally creamy. It’s a nice twist if you want to cut back on fat without losing flavor.
- Dietary tweak: I’ve also tried swapping mayo for avocado to make a dairy-free but still super creamy dip—super delicious if you blend it well!
- Seasonal touch: Adding a small handful of chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley spices things up without overwhelming the classic flavors.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe
Step 1: Sauté veggies for base flavor
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your shredded carrots and diced yellow onions, stirring occasionally. This takes about 5 minutes until they soften and release their sweetness. Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, then stir for another 1-2 minutes—don’t rush this step, it builds the flavor foundation.
Step 2: Wilt the spinach just right
Return the skillet to medium heat and add half the baby spinach. Stir it gently as it wilts—about 3-4 minutes. Add the rest and continue until all the spinach is fully cooked down. This part is crucial because overcooked spinach is soggy, but undercooked is too tough. Once done, gently press the spinach to remove excess moisture using paper towels—this keeps your dip creamy rather than watery.
Step 3: Mix and chill
Chop the spinach finely and combine with your sautéed veggie mix in a large bowl. Add chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir everything thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight chilling makes the flavors shine even more beautifully.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found that some simple techniques make all the difference with this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe. These tricks will help you nail it every time and wow your guests without stress.
- Drain the spinach well: Excess moisture can make your dip runny, so press it firmly with paper towels after sautéing.
- Don’t skip the chill time: Refrigerating for at least 2 hours lets the flavors meld and deepens the overall taste.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh baby spinach and freshly minced garlic always produce a brighter, fresher dip.
- Taste as you go: Adjust salt and spices before chilling—once cold, the flavors mellow, so seasoning beforehand is key.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a little extra paprika on top for a pop of color and mild smoky flavor. A few finely chopped green onions scattered over the surface add fresh contrast that’s just beautiful. Sometimes, I throw on a few shreds of sharp cheddar cheese for richness and a festive touch.
Side Dishes
My favorite way to serve this dip is with an assortment of dippables: crispy crackers, crunchy bell pepper strips, celery sticks, and pita chips. For a fun twist, a hollowed-out bread bowl filled with the dip makes an attention-grabbing centerpiece at parties.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting? Try layering the dip in a clear glass bowl with extra chopped spinach or herbs as a bottom layer so guests get a peek at that vibrant green. Or create individual servings in small ramekins for a fancy touch that’s still homey and approachable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge, where it lasts beautifully up to 3 days. Make sure to give it a quick stir before serving again—sometimes ingredients settle a bit.
Freezing
While I haven’t tried freezing this dip myself, some readers mention it’s best to freeze it without the water chestnuts first, then add them fresh after thawing to maintain crunch. The creamy texture might shift slightly, so I recommend testing a small batch if you want to freeze it.
Reheating
For warmed-up dip, I pop it in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until hot but still creamy. Alternatively, a gentle warm-up in a skillet over low heat works wonders too, especially if you want to keep those fresh flavors intact.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but I always recommend fresh baby spinach for the best texture and flavor. If you use frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it fully and squeeze out as much water as possible to avoid a watery dip.
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this dip lasts about 3 days. The flavor and texture remain great, but try to consume it within that timeframe for the best experience.
Absolutely! In fact, refrigerating it for a few hours or overnight helps the flavors deepen and blend beautifully, making the dip taste even better when served.
I love serving it with an assortment of dippers like crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips, and fresh vegetable sticks such as celery, carrot, and bell peppers. For an impressive party platter, try a bread bowl or baguette slices.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s simple, fresh, and reliably a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting friends, need a snack fix, or want to impress with minimal effort, it’s hard to beat this creamy, flavorful dip. Give it a try—you’ll soon find yourself reaching for extra crackers and thinking of excuses to make it again!
Print
Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fresh Spinach Dip is a flavorful and creamy appetizer made with sautéed fresh baby spinach, shredded carrots, onions, and a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, this easy-to-make dip pairs wonderfully with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing snack or party starter.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 medium carrot (shredded)
- ½ cup diced yellow onions
- 16 oz. fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Other Ingredients
- 1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Crackers, bread bowl, potato chips, pita chips, tortilla chips and/or carrot sticks, celery sticks and bell peppers for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded carrot and diced yellow onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper and continue sautéing for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant. Transfer this vegetable mixture to a large bowl and set aside.
- Sauté the spinach: Return the skillet to medium heat and add half of the fresh baby spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until it begins to wilt. Add remaining spinach and cook for another 3-4 minutes until all spinach is wilted.
- Drain excess moisture: Transfer wilted spinach to a colander and press out as much moisture as possible using paper towels. Chop the spinach finely and add it to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables.
- Combine dip ingredients: Add chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder to the bowl. Stir everything until well combined.
- Chill the dip: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dip for 2 hours or until chilled. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Serve: Serve the spinach dip in a bowl with crackers, baguette slices, chips, or fresh vegetable sticks. For an attractive presentation, serve in a hollowed-out bread bowl.
Notes
- This dip is best prepared ahead of time to allow flavors to meld; chilling overnight is ideal.
- Pressing out excess moisture from the spinach is crucial to avoid a watery dip.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor.
- Serving suggestions include pita chips, tortilla chips, or assorted fresh veggies like celery and bell peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg
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