Easy Spinach Dip (without soup mix)

Easy Spinach Dip recipe without the dry packaged soup mix! A cold, creamy, flavorful spinach dip to wow your friends and family! This easy appetizer comes together in just minutes.

Easy spinach dip in a bread bowl surrounded by bread cubes.

Why You’ll Love This

We have been making spinach dip for years using the dry soup mix. I wanted to make a spinach dip from scratch without all the preservatives. This is what I came up with and it’s even BETTER! You will never use the soup mix again.

  • This creamy spinach dip recipe used fresh and staple kitchen ingredients. No packet mix.
  • Simple to make.
  • It’s a classic crowd-pleasing cold spinach dip to serve at any party!

Key Ingredients

  • Creamy base – Mayonnaise and sour cream are the main ingredients in a creamy dip.
  • Spinach – We are using frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well. If using fresh spinach, cook it down, squeeze it dry, and chop it if necessary.
  • Seasoning – We use a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt, and black pepper.

Add-Ins

You can try adding in some of the items below to change up the flavor.

  • Fresh jalapenos – Seeded and diced.
  • Artichokes – Chopped.
  • Red bell peppers – Chopped.
Cream base with spinach, onions, grated carrots and water chestnuts on top.

Tips

  • I use 2 10-ounce packages of frozen chopped spinach. Thawed and squeezed dry. Use a paper towel to help squeeze the water out.
  • If you have time you can thaw in a colander. Otherwise, microwave at half power to defrost without cooking the spinach.
  • You can also use 20 ounces of fresh baby spinach. If using fresh baby spinach, remove the stems and chop or tear them into small pieces. Combine the spinach and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 45-60 seconds or until wilted; drain. Cool and squeeze dry.
  • You can lighten it up by using nonfat plain Greek yogurt. Or use low-fat sour cream and mayo. Just note the texture won’t be as thick and creamy as with full-fat options.

How to Make Easy Spinach Dip Recipe

Grate the carrots and give them a rough chop. You want small pieces of carrot, not long shreds. 

Drain and finely dice the water chestnuts. Finely dice the green onions.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

All ingredients for easy spinach dip mixed together in a glass mixing bowl.

To the mayonnaise mixture add the spinach, green onions, carrots, and water chestnuts stir to combine thoroughly.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Easy Spinach Dip inside a bread bowl with cubed bread next to it.

Make it even prettier by serving it in a bread bowl. Use a large round sturdy bread. You want it to hold up to the dip being placed in the center.

Or if you are having a dinner party, try serving in dinner rolls for a single serving option.

What to Serve it With

  • If you’re wondering what kind of chips to serve with this dip, you can try our quick and delicious pita chips. These are super good and super quick!
  • Bagel chips, bread cubes, pretzel chips, or crackers.
  • Keep it low carb/keto and served with slice vegetables or low carb crackers or bread.
Closeup of easy spinach dip inside a bread bowl.

This party dip is perfect for gatherings, game day events, holidays, etc!

Can this be made ahead?

This easy spinach dip is a great appetizer to make ahead.  It will last about 3 days in the refrigerator but I recommend only making it one day ahead to maintain the fresh flavor.

Storing

Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

We don’t recommend freezing this dip. Mayonnaise and sour cream don’t freeze well and tend to become watery and separate.

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More Dip Recipes

Easy spinach dip in a bread bowl surrounded by bread cubes.

Easy Spinach Dip Recipe (without soup mix)

A cold, creamy, flavorful spinach dip to wow your friends and family! From scratch, no dry soup mix here. 
4.43 from 45 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 14 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Servings: 10
Calories: 211kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 green onions, finely diced
  • 1 8- ounce can sliced water chestnuts drained and finely diced
  • 2 10- ounce packages frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1/2 cup carrots shredded and chopped

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion powder,  garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine well.
    3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 cups sour cream, 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • Add the green onions, water chestnuts, carrots, and spinach to the bowl. Stir to combine thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to combine.
    3 green onions, finely diced, 1 8- ounce can sliced water chestnuts, 1/2 cup carrots, 2 10- ounce packages frozen chopped spinach
  • Serve in a sourdough bread bowl with cubes of bread, crackers or carrot and celery sticks.

Notes

Fresh Spinach – You can also use 20 ounces of fresh baby spinach. If using fresh baby spinach, remove the stems and chop or tear them into small pieces. Combine the spinach and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 45-60 seconds or until wilted; drain. Cool and squeeze dry.
Lighten it Up – You can lighten it up by using nonfat plain Greek yogurt. Or use low-fat sour cream and mayo. Just note the texture won’t be as thick and creamy as with full-fat options.
Storing – Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5419IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 1mg

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11 Comments

  1. Really good! Tangy! Exactly what i was looking for.
    I didnt have enough spinach and i didnt use the water chestnuts (I know, sorry) but it so good! I almost ate the whole thing in one sitting.5 stars

  2. Didn’t have lemon juice or worscestershire, but I subbed a good teaspoon of lemon pepper and added freshly ground Carraway, which I love with cream cheese….and yum! (Per Chef John from Food Wishes, I added a pinch of cayenne!)5 stars

  3. This is the best spinach dip ever! So easy and absolutely delicious!! I made it for Christmas and everyone loved it. Thank you for using fresh ingredients instead of mixes.5 stars

  4. Love it! Thankyou. I fell in love with spinach dip in America but now back in London I can’t get vegetable soup mix easily. Just made this and its delish. Thanks5 stars

  5. Five star recipe – one star website experience on mobile phone (just completely broken – had to copy and paste to email from my laptop).

    Per a previous comment about too-crunchy carrots, I used a microplane grater which eliminated any risk of that. Otherwise made the recipe as described – was like a fresher, less-salty version of the leek soup mix appetizer staple.5 stars

    1. Thanks for the 5 stars on the recipe … real sorry for the mobile experience. We’re presently working on making the user experience better. Love the feedback!

    1. Hey, Lori! Wow, thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. I have corrected the recipe to include 1/2 cup shredded and chopped carrots. Thanks again!

  6. I put grated carrot right into the dip, it made it really chrunchy. Also I did not have the water chestnuts, so put in the carrots.

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