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Light Spinach Dip Recipe

5 from 13 votes
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posted: 12/16/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

This Spinach Dip Recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious! Made with easy ingredients, you’ll never want to buy the store packet again.

Overhead photo of Spinach Dip Recipe served in a bowl. Sliced peppers, cucumbers, and chips beside bowl for dipping.

It is possible I was born in the wrong country, because my preferred way of eating is appetizers. I love small plate restaurants, and I love hosting parties where there are tons of dips and snacks. One dip that always makes the cut is this recipe for spinach dip. It tastes just like Knorr Spinach Dip, but is so easy to make at home.

One of the things that I love about this spinach dip recipe is that it is a little lighter than others. Instead of using cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan, we are using light sour cream and light mayonnaise. These both have lower calories and lower fat content without sacrificing flavor. You get a delicious, flavorful, and creamy dip without all the fat and calories.

READER REVIEW

Made this, delicious, thanks for sharing!

Overhead photo of ingredients in clear bowl for Spinach Dip Recipe. Measuring spoons and hand towel lay beside bowl.

How to Make Spinach Dip

This is just a brief overview of how to make this amazing appetizer. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Make the base of the dip. Mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Add in the scallions, water chestnuts, and the thawed spinach.
  3. Adjust the seasonings. Taste the dip and add in more salt and pepper to taste.

Thawing Spinach

Most frozen spinach packages have instructions for how to thaw it right on the packaging. That being said, most do not tell you the best way to drain it. Draining thawed spinach is key to most recipes it is used in. Not draining it properly can result in excess liquid, and too much liquid can really throw off some recipes.

Once it is thawed, let it cool al little bit. Then transfer the thawed spinach to the middle of a clean dish towel. I suggest using one that can be used just for spinach since it will stain it a little green. Pull up the edges of the dish towel, and spin the spinach in the middle to make a bundle. Then thoroughly squeeze it over the kitchen sink to get out all of the moisture.

bowl of spinach dip being mixed together

What to Serve with Spinach Dip

I love serving this cold spinach dip recipe in my Beer Bread Dip Bowl! Making a bread bowl is super easy and fun for parties. The insides of it make for perfect dipping. You could also serve it with:

  • Beer Bread
  • Sourdough Bread
  • Pretzel Chips
  • Crackers
  • Bagel Chips
  • Pita Chips
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Celery Sticks
  • Toasted Baguette Slices
Spinach Dip Recipe served in a bowl. Sliced peppers, cucumbers, and chips beside bowl for dipping. Person's hand dipping chip into Spinach Dip.

Making Ahead

My Cold Spinach Dip is best when eaten within 24 hours of making. That makes this a great recipe to make the night before a party.

Storing Leftovers

Homemade spinach dip can be stored in the refrigerator for four to five days after being made. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

FAQ

Can I use fresh spinach?

Yes! But you will want to cook it down first. You can follow these instructions.

Is this dip gluten free?

This dip is naturally gluten free, assuming that you buy gluten free Worcestershire sauce. The original recipe contained barley, so be sure to double check all of your labels when serving someone with a gluten intolerance.

Is spinach dip supposed to be hot or cold?

This dip is best cold. If you are looking for a hot version, try this Spinach Artichoke Dip.

What chip is best for spinach dip?

I love serving this with pretzel flats, bagel chips, and pita chips.

Can you freeze spinach dip?

I would not recommend freezing this. Given that the base is sour cream and mayonnaise, the texture will be off once you thaw it.

Overhead photo of Spinach Dip Recipe served in a bowl. Sliced peppers, cucumbers, and chips beside bowl for dipping.

Other Easy Dip Recipes

If you are pulling together a full spread for a party, here are some great easy dip recipes. All of them can be made the day before. You can find all of our dip recipes here: Dip Recipes.

If you try this Easy Spinach Dip or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Overhead photo of Spinach Dip Recipe served in a bowl. Sliced peppers, cucumbers, and chips beside bowl for dipping.
5 from 13 votes

Spinach Dip

Serves: 16 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
This Spinach Dip Recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious! Made with easy ingredients, you'll never want to buy the store packet again.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light sour cream
  • 1 cup light mayonnaise
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (if you are using table salt, start with half)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 green onions cut into one inch of the green and diced small
  • 8 ounces water chestnuts drained and diced small
  • 10 ounces frozen spinach thawed and squeezed of all the moisture

Instructions

  • Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
    2 cups light sour cream, 1 cup light mayonnaise, 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Stir in the scallions, water chestnuts, and spinach.
    3 green onions, 8 ounces water chestnuts, 10 ounces frozen spinach
  • Chill for an hour before serving.
Serving: 0.25cup Calories: 95kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 6g (9%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0.01g Cholesterol: 12mg (4%) Sodium: 540mg (23%) Potassium: 209mg (6%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 3452IU (69%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 83mg (8%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Overhead photo of Spinach Dip Recipe served in a bowl. Sliced peppers, cucumbers, and chips beside bowl for dipping.

did you make this

Spinach Dip

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

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  1. averie @ averie cooks says

    What an awesome email to receive :) and what an awesome dip! Could eat the whole bowl!

    • Lisa Longley says

      Thank you Averie!

  2. Kathyy says

    Never look down on yourself when you get bad or rude comments from people. As an “older” lady I’ve seen a lot over the years and people are just not as gracious as they used to be. So many use social media as a place to vent. Just be positive, kind to those who aren’t and know all of us love your blog and especially the recipes you share.

    • Lisa Longley says

      Thank you Kathy!! You are totally right. And yes, dead on about social media!

  3. Julie Heath says

    I don’t know you and have yet to make your bread bowl and dip (although I know I will love both!) but I have read a bit, and that’s all it took, to tell me you are a good soul and lovely person. Wishing you every success and happiness in your life and thanks for your recipes and blogs :-)

    • Lisa Longley says

      Thank you so much Julie!

  4. Heather Sloan-Lopez says

    Can you heat this up? Love your recipes so much!

    • Lisa Longley says

      Thank you Heather! So I wouldn’t heat this one. I will have to come up with a hot spinach dip too!

  5. PJ says

    I love spinach dip. I decreased sour cream to 8 ozs. Increased spinach to 16 ozs. And eliminated Worcester sauce cause I just don’t like it. Turned out delicious. Thanks for posting.

  6. SUE SOERGEL says

    5 stars
    Made this, delicious, thanks for sharing!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  7. JOZmahal says

    5 stars
    Delicious! I love the tip about squeezing the water out of the spinach. I used a cheesecloth. Worked perfectly! Thank you! 💕

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked this recipe as much as me!

  8. D C says

    I would omit the salt!!!

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