Servings: 10
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
Five-Star Spinach Dip – A Classic Party Favorite Taken to the Next Level
Some appetizers disappear faster than others, and this Five-Star Spinach Dip proved exactly why it earned its name. Creamy, savory, fresh-tasting and loaded with just the right amount of texture, this homemade spinach dip takes everything people love about the traditional party favorite and gives it a more distinctive, from-scratch flavor. In our taste testing, it was a home run—everyone loved it, with several tasters saying it was better than any spinach dip they had made using the familiar packaged vegetable soup mix.
A Homemade Spinach Dip Without the Soup Mix
Traditional cold spinach dip recipes often rely on a packet of vegetable soup mix for virtually all of their seasoning. Five-Star Spinach Dip takes a different approach. A carefully balanced blend of onion, garlic, herbs and seasonings builds layers of flavor instead of allowing one packaged mix to dominate the dip. The result is still comfortingly familiar, but there is noticeably more going on in every bite.
Creamy, Rich and Balanced
A great spinach dip needs richness without becoming heavy or tasting predominantly of mayonnaise. This recipe combines several creamy elements to create a smooth, luxurious base that complements rather than overwhelms the spinach. A touch of acidity cuts through that richness, while Worcestershire sauce contributes an extra layer of savory depth. These small details are what transform a simple cold spinach dip into something guests remember.
The Crunch That Makes a Difference
Water chestnuts are one ingredient we never wanted to lose from the traditional version. Their clean, crisp crunch provides the perfect contrast to the creamy spinach mixture and keeps the texture interesting from the first scoop to the last. Fresh scallions add another dimension, bringing a mild onion freshness that works especially well with the deeper flavors of garlic and dried seasonings.
The Secret Is Giving It Time
Five-Star Spinach Dip is an ideal make-ahead party appetizer because it actually benefits from time in the refrigerator. As the dip chills, the dried onion and herbs hydrate and all those individual flavors begin to meld together. Making it the night before serving isn’t merely convenient—it helps produce a better-tasting spinach dip. Just give it a good stir before putting it on the table.
Perfect for Parties, Holidays and Game Day
This creamy spinach dip fits comfortably into almost any appetizer spread. Serve it for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, family get-togethers, cocktail parties, summer cookouts or as an easy game-day appetizer. It has enough flavor to stand on its own while still pairing easily with other finger foods and party snacks.
What to Serve with Five-Star Spinach Dip
There are plenty of ways to enjoy this dip. Toasted pita wedges offer a hearty scoop and mild toasted flavor, while crackers and crostini provide plenty of crunch. Fresh vegetables such as celery, carrots, bell pepper strips and cucumber make excellent lighter options. For a classic party presentation, serve the spinach dip in a hollowed round bread loaf with bite-size pieces of bread arranged alongside it.
A Few Tips for Exceptional Spinach Dip
One of the most important steps happens before the ingredients ever reach the mixing bowl: remove as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach. Excess water can thin the dip and dilute its flavor. Thoroughly draining and squeezing the spinach helps maintain the rich, creamy consistency that makes this recipe work so well. It is also best to wait until after the dip has thoroughly chilled before deciding whether its seasoning needs adjustment—the flavors become considerably more developed as it rests.
Why This One Earned Five Stars
The goal wasn’t to reinvent spinach dip into something unrecognizable. It was to take the classic creamy spinach dip people already love and make every part of it better. More savory depth, fresh onion and garlic flavor, crisp water chestnuts, a touch of brightness and a carefully seasoned creamy base accomplished exactly that. After our tasting panel gave it an enthusiastic thumbs-up—and preferred it to the traditional packet-based versions—there was nothing left to change. Five-Star Spinach Dip had earned its name.
Ingredients:
SPINACH MIX:
1 package frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 4-oz can water chestnuts, canned, drained and
chopped
2 each scallions, finely sliced
1 small clove garlic, finely minced and mashed into a
paste
MIX SPICES:
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
ADD TO FINISH:
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Instructions:
Drain the spinach extremely well. Place the thawed spinach in a
clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze
firmly until as much liquid as possible has been removed. Loosen
and separate the spinach with your fingers.
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sour
cream together until completely smooth.
Add the mayonnaise and mix until evenly incorporated.
Add the dried minced onion, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley,
dill, celery salt, black pepper, sugar and kosher salt. Stir
thoroughly.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and white wine vinegar.
Fold in the spinach, chopped water chestnuts, scallions and fresh
garlic.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably
overnight, so the dried onion and herbs can hydrate and the
flavors can develop.
Stir well before serving. Taste after chilling before making any
seasoning adjustments
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 118 Calories; 10g Fat (70.6% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 20mg Cholesterol;
364mg Sodium; 3g Total Sugars; 0mcg Vitamin D; 71mg Calcium; 1mg Iron; 175mg Potassium; 44mg Phosphorus.