There’s something truly comforting about a classic creamy dip that brings everyone to the table—it’s rich, flavorful, and just a little addictive. This Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe combines fresh ingredients and just the right spices to deliver a crowd-pleaser that I always find myself coming back to, especially when friends pop over unexpectedly.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe has been a go-to for me because it balances freshness with creaminess in a way that feels both light and indulgent. It's not your typical run-of-the-mill dip; the use of fresh baby spinach instead of frozen really elevates the flavor and texture.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh baby spinach and crisp water chestnuts keeps the dip vibrant and full of texture.
- Simple to Make: You won’t spend hours in the kitchen—this recipe comes together quickly, perfect for last-minute entertaining.
- Versatile Serving Styles: Whether you serve it with crackers, chips, or veggies, it’s always a hit and easy to customize.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after it chills overnight, giving you stress-free party prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the tangy Worcestershire sauce to the crunch of water chestnuts, these elements come together for a harmonious and delightful bite every time. When shopping, I recommend choosing really fresh baby spinach and crisp water chestnuts for the best results.
- Olive oil: Perfect for sautéing vegetables gently without overpowering the flavor.
- Carrot: Adds a subtle sweetness and a bit of crunch to compliment the creamy base.
- Yellow onions: Their mild sharpness balances the richness of sour cream and mayo.
- Garlic: Just the right kick of aromatic depth without being too strong.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasoning that brings out all the other flavors.
- Fresh baby spinach: The star ingredient, fresh spinach gives a bright, fresh taste and lovely texture.
- Green onions: Adds freshness and a little zing to brighten the dip.
- Sour cream: Provides tanginess and creaminess, balancing out the whole mix.
- Mayonnaise: Enriches the dip with smooth creaminess and body.
- Water chestnuts: Adds unexpected crunch with every bite.
- Worcestershire sauce: Offers a savory umami boost that deepens the flavor profile.
- Lemon juice: Lightens the dip with a bit of acidity to cut through the richness.
- Onion powder, paprika, garlic powder: Background spices that layer subtle warmth and complexity.
Make It Your Way
One of the reasons I’m so fond of this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe is how easy it is to tweak the flavors based on what you have or what you prefer. Trust me, once you get the base down, you can personalize it and make it your own.
- Variation: I sometimes swap out mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten it up without losing the creaminess. It adds a subtle tang I love!
- Vegetarian version: Make sure to use Worcestershire sauce that’s vegetarian-friendly or substitute soy sauce for the umami kick.
- Seasonal tweaks: Adding chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes can give a lovely twist for different times of the year.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe
Step 1: Sautéing the Base Veggies
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the shredded carrot and diced yellow onions. Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes until the veggies soften and start to caramelize—a key to unlocking their natural sweetness. Adding the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper comes next; stir that in and cook for another 1-2 minutes so the garlic doesn’t burn but releases its flavor. Then, carefully transfer this fragrant mixture to a large bowl so it can cool slightly.
Step 2: Cooking the Spinach
Bring the skillet back to the stove over medium heat and add half of the fresh baby spinach. Stir it gently, letting it wilt for 3-4 minutes before adding the remaining spinach. Keep sautéing until all the spinach has wilted—this usually takes another 3-4 minutes. The goal here is to cook the spinach just enough to reduce moisture but keep that vibrant green color. Once done, transfer the spinach to a colander and press out as much liquid as you can with paper towels. Excess moisture will make your dip watery and less creamy, so this step is crucial.
Step 3: Bringing It All Together
Chop the drained spinach finely, then mix it into the bowl with the sautéed veggies. Add chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir everything gently but thoroughly so the flavors meld beautifully. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—though my tip is to make it the day before for even deeper flavor. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Top Tip
After making this Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe several times, I’ve learned that the key to truly great texture lies in removing as much moisture from the spinach as possible and letting the dip chill well before serving.
- Drain Properly: Press the wilted spinach using paper towels or even a clean kitchen cloth to squeeze out excess water; this prevents the dip from turning soggy.
- Overnight Rest: The flavors deepen and blend beautifully if you refrigerate the dip overnight rather than just an hour or two.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste before serving and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed; these little tweaks make the difference.
- Serve Cold: Keep the dip chilled right up to serving time to maintain that refreshing creaminess.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little extra paprika on top just before serving for a pop of color. Sometimes, I add chopped fresh parsley or green onions because they add a fresh herbal note and brighten up the presentation. If I’m feeling fancy, a handful of toasted pine nuts can add a lovely texture contrast too.
Side Dishes
Crackers are my classic choice, especially water crackers or pita chips. I also love serving this dip with crunchy veggie sticks—carrots, celery, and bell peppers are my go-tos for a colorful plate. For casual gatherings, tortilla chips work well and add a salty crunch that’s irresistible.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun way I’ve served this dip is inside a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl—everyone loves tearing off the edges of bread to scoop up the creamy goodness. It makes the table feel festive and encourages sharing. For a party, I’ve also portioned it into small individual cups with a few veggie sticks or chips poking out for easy grab-and-go snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover creamy spinach dip keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving again to redistribute any separated moisture that’s settled.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this dip because the texture of sour cream and mayo-based dips can become grainy after thawing. Plus, the fresh spinach loses its bright texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating
This dip is definitely best served cold, but if you want a warm version, I gently heat it in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid curdling. Add a little extra sour cream if it seems dry. Warm dips are cozy but don’t bring quite the same brightness as the chilled original.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use frozen spinach, but fresh baby spinach gives a brighter flavor and better texture. If you opt for frozen, make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all excess moisture before adding it to the dip to avoid watery results.
This dip actually benefits from sitting overnight in the fridge. Making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld and intensify, making it taste even better than the day it’s made.
It's fantastic served with crackers, toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers. This variety allows everyone to find something they love for dipping.
Absolutely! Just make sure the Worcestershire sauce you use is vegetarian-friendly, or substitute it with soy sauce or tamari to keep that umami flavor without animal ingredients.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe has been such a comforting staple in my kitchen—it’s one of those dishes that bring people together, whether for a casual night or special celebration. Once you try it, I’m confident it’ll become a favorite in your repertoire too. So grab that skillet, fresh spinach, and a handful of your favorite chips, and get ready to share something truly delicious with your people!
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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
Description
This Fresh Spinach Dip is a creamy and flavorful appetizer made with sautéed fresh baby spinach, shredded carrots, onions, garlic, and a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise. Perfect for serving with crackers, chips, or fresh vegetable sticks, this easy-to-make dip is a crowd-pleaser and can be prepared ahead of time to chill and let the flavors meld.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 medium carrot (shredded)
- ½ cup diced yellow onions
- 16 oz. fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Crackers (bread bowl, potato chips, pita chips, tortilla chips)
- Carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell peppers
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Using a large skillet, add olive oil and place over medium-high heat until hot.
- Sauté carrots and onions: Add shredded carrots and diced onions to the skillet, sautéing while stirring occasionally for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper; continue sautéing for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant. Transfer this mixture into a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook spinach: Place skillet back over medium heat and add half of the spinach. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until it begins to wilt. Add remaining spinach and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until completely wilted.
- Drain spinach: Transfer spinach to a colander. Use paper towels to press and remove as much excess moisture as possible.
- Combine spinach and vegetables: Chop the spinach finely and add it to the bowl containing the sautéed carrot and onion mixture.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Chill the dip: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or longer; for best flavor, chill overnight.
- Serve: Serve the dip chilled in a bowl alongside crackers, bread slices, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetable sticks. For an attractive presentation, serve inside a hollowed-out bread bowl.
Notes
- Press the spinach thoroughly to remove excess moisture to prevent a watery dip.
- The dip tastes best if refrigerated overnight, allowing flavors to meld fully.
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure Worcestershire sauce used is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with soy sauce.
- This dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers including pita chips, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetables.
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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