This cold spinach dip is creamy and packed with water chestnuts for extra crunch for the best appetizer for any gathering. With the incredible creaminess and texture coming from Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese, this dip is a must-try!
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Just one afternoon in the kitchen with a little of this and a little of that produced what I believe to be the BEST spinach dip out there. Sour cream, Greek yogurt and mayonnaise make it triple creamy. Shredded carrots and water chestnuts give it texture and the flavor is bursting with fresh chives, fresh lemon juice, parmesan cheese and of course, a good helping of garlic. Oh… my… The only thing lacking with this dip is self control!
Key Ingredients
- Frozen Spinach: This will be the star of our dip, adding a deliciously earthy flavor and a pop of green color. Make sure to defrost and drain it well to remove any excess moisture.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: It will bring a rich, savory element to the dip, complement the spinach, and add a nice, cheesy flavor.
- Sour Cream and Greek Yogurt: This ingredient will add a creamy and tangy twist to our dip, making it extra flavorful.
- Mayonnaise: It will make our dip extra creamy and also add a slightly tangy flavor.
- Water Chestnuts: These will give our dip a satisfying crunch, balancing out the creamy texture of the other ingredients.
- Garlic: It will add a bold, aromatic flavor that will complement the other ingredients beautifully.
- Shredded Carrots: They will add a touch of sweetness and a bit of color to our dip.
- Fresh Chives: They will give our dip a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Salt: This will enhance all the other flavors in the dip, making them more pronounced and delicious.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: It will add a bright, citrusy flavor to the dip, cutting through the richness of the other ingredients.
- Worcestershire Sauce: It will add a deep, savory flavor to our dip, making it more complex and delicious.
- Cracked Black Pepper: It will add a bit of heat and a lot of flavor to our dip.
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Equipment
- Large Bowl – You’ll need this to mix all the ingredients together. Make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the spinach and the rest of the ingredients.
- Microwave (Optional) – If you’re doing a quick thaw of the frozen spinach, you’ll need a microwave to defrost it.
How to Make Cold Spinach Dip
Preparation
To start, you’ll need to defrost your frozen spinach. You can do this by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight, or for a quicker option, use the microwave. Once it’s defrosted, make sure to drain out as much water from the spinach as possible.
Step 1 – Combine the Spinach and Dairy
In a large bowl, add the drained spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise.
Step 2 – Add the Flavor
Next, mix in the chopped water chestnuts, garlic, shredded carrot, fresh chives, salt, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Don’t forget to add some cracked black pepper to your personal preference.
Step 3 – Stir and Chill
Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Cover the bowl and chill the dip in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
Lynette’s Tips
Drain the Spinach Well: To make sure your cold spinach dip is extra flavorful, don’t skip the step of draining the thawed spinach. The more water you can squeeze out, the better the texture of your dip will be.
Spicy: Add a kick to your cold spinach dip by mixing in some chopped jalapenos or a dash of cayenne pepper.
If you love this spinach dip, I think you’ll also love my crockpot Reuben dip or my hot pizza dip. And for a sweet twist, try the smores dip for a dessert everyone will love.
Cold Spinach Dip
Ingredients
- 10 oz box of frozen spinach defrosted and drained
- 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 Cup sour cream
- 7 oz container of Greek yogurt
- 3/4 Cup quality mayonnaise
- 4 oz sliced water chestnuts chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/2 Cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 Cup fresh chives chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Defrost your box of spinach overnight in the refrigerator or do a quick thaw using the microwave.
- Drain out as much of the water from the spinach as you can. This is a very important step to get the best flavor from the spinach.
- In a large bowl, add your drained spinach and the remaining ingredients. Stir all the ingredients together.
- Cover and chill the spinach dip until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a quick and easy snack, spread this cold spinach dip on top of crunchy, toasted baguette slices or salty tortilla chips. It’s a great way to satisfy your afternoon cravings!
- For a refreshing summer appetizer, serve this cold spinach dip with a variety of crisp, fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
- If you’re hosting a brunch, this dip pairs beautifully with a platter of warm, flaky croissants, fresh fruit, and a side of your favorite quiche.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
For this recipe, it’s best to defrost the frozen spinach overnight in the refrigerator. However, if you’re short on time, you can also do a quick thaw using the microwave.
Yes, you can use fresh spinach for this recipe. However, you may want to wilt the fresh spinach in a pan and then squeeze out any excess moisture before using it in the dip. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the dip might be slightly different with fresh spinach.
You can chill the spinach dip for as little as 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together, but it can also be made a day in advance. This makes it a great make-ahead option for parties and gatherings.
