A cold creamy spinach dip recipe that is made without mayo and with cream cheese! It is one of my top party dips and so easy to whip up. I like to make this dip ahead of time and then add it to a freshly cut bread bowl when guests arrive!
If you love easy party dips, try my Hot Crab & Artichoke Dip with Cream Cheese or my Easy Bagna Cauda (Garlic and Anchovy Dip).
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7 minutes!
That's all you need to make this classic spinach dip! And maybe some hungry bodies! It's one of those recipes that you'll want to whip up again and again!
This recipe is the best cold spinach dip I have come across because it uses cream cheese and no mayo. I also added sour cream which adds even more creaminess and some tang. Any appetizer that is easy to make in advance and can be served cold (or room temperature) is a winner in my house!
I like to put this spinach dip in a sour dough BREAD BOWL. It looks so festive this way! Plus, you don't have to worry about asking for your Tupperware back if you bring it to a party! (Don't you hate that?)
I'll typically serve the spinach dip in a bread bowl and then add some crudites and if I'm feeling good, lots of fresh pita triangles on the side.
Making Your Dip
Making a cold spinach dip is one of the easiest things because all of your ingredients can be tossed in a mixing bowl! Here are steps on how to make your spinach dip:
Step 1: Prep your spinach! If using frozen spinach, you need to allow it to fully thaw out. Then, once it's defrosted, squeeze all of the water out. I like using paper towels or a thin dish towel to do the job. (See how I do this quickly below.)
Step 2: Add your spinach to a large bowl along with every other ingredient except for the tomatoes, and mix until nicely creamed and blended together.
Step 3: Mix in your tomatoes last to maintain their shape. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve in a bread bowl or any bowl!
Other ingredients you can add to your dip:
- red peppers (adds some color, sweetness AND crunch)
- sauteed onions
- caramelized onions
- fresh garlic
- water chestnuts (adds a fresh crunch)
- Knorr dried vegetable soup mix
Using Fresh Spinach vs. Frozen Spinach
Fresh spinach will work in this recipe BUT you will need to chop it down before you go any further. Some fresh spinach leaves are so large, if you just throw them in the dip as is, you'll get a "stringy" spinach dip...and trust me...no one likes "stringy" dips.
I recommend sauteing your spinach before you add it to your dip. It will help the leaves to break down a bit resulting in wilted spinach which is what you want for this dip.
How To Quickly Thaw Your Spinach
I use FROZEN chopped spinach leaves for this recipe.
Why? Because it is super cheap AND does not require you to cook your spinach or chop it. If you used raw spinach leaves, you would need to cook them down OR chop them up before you add them to your dip. Especially if your spinach leaves are super large.
Squeezing The Water From Your Frozen Spinach
You are going to need to defrost your frozen spinach first. You can quickly do this in the microwave or let it sit in the fridge overnight in a bowl. Then you will need to SQUEEZE all of your water out before you add it to your dip! I like to use a thin towel, cheese cloth OR paper towels to do this. If you don't squeeze the water out, your dip will be watery!
This video shows you the best way to get water out of frozen spinach!
What Dippers To Serve
Everyone has their own dipping go-to's. I like serving this dip with multiple dipping options to satisfy all my guest's dietary needs. Most men go for the more substantial dippers. You know..the 'carby' dippers, like bread or crackers! So think about who you're serving.
These are my favorite items to serve alongside:
- Tortilla Chips
- Pita Chips
- Mini Crostini
- Grilled pita bread (this is my favorite dipper!)
- Crackers
- Crudite (celery, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers)
- Tomatoes
How To Make A BREAD BOWL
Get yourself a nice round loaf of sour dough or pumpernickel bread. Really, any round loaf should work!
Then cut out the inside using a large serrated knife. Point the knife on a downward/inward angle and cut a circle around the top portion. Be careful not to cut too much off the top!
Then, using your hands, pull off the top. Rip out any extra breading inside the loaf. You want to create a hole. Be careful not too cut or rip out too much. All you need is a medium sized hole to fit the dip inside.
Reserve any of the bread you cut out and reuse it for dipping!
Can You Make This Cold Spinach Dip Ahead Of Time?
Why of course you can! You can make any dip ahead of time. The real question is, "Can you pull this straight out if the fridge as guests arrive??
YES!
Because this dip is served COLD, it can be stored in the fridge until your ready to serve it! In fact, storing it overnight will give the flavors time to infuse! It should last 3-4 days in the fridge.
Other COLD party dips you might like!
Cold Taco Dip With Cottage Cheese
19 Easy Last Minute COLD Party Dips For A Crowd
Easy Cold Spinach Dip With Cream Cheese (in bread bowl)
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. Package Cream Cheese
- 1 10 oz. Package Frozen Chopped Spinach (1.5 cups squeezed) ((thawed))
- 1 ½ Cup Sour Cream
- 2 Medium Tomatoes (1 cup) ((Small Diced))
- 2 Scallions (⅓ cup) ((Chopped))
- ½ Tsp. Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ Tsp. Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp. Salt (*or to taste)
- ¾ Tsp. Pepper
Fresh Round Loaf of Ciabatta or Rye Bread (Optional)
Instructions
- Thaw spinach and squeeze out ALL excess water using a towel or paper towels. (You can defrost in the microwave if you need to do it quickly)
- Add spinach and all other ingredients EXCEPT for your tomatoes to a mixer and mix until fully incorporated.
- Lastly, add in your tomatoes and on low speed mix briefly to maintain their shape. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve in a bread bowl or any bowl!
- Prepare your bread bowl if using. Cut off the top and scoop out the middle.
- Add dip to desired serving bowl and serve cold with veggies, crackers, bread and/or pita!
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Also make sure to check out these party dips!
It looks yummm, I'm not much for tomatoes, can you substitute Greek yogurt for the cream cheese?
Hi Carol, You can definitely leave out the tomatoes if you wish and replace with red peppers for color. If you substitute Greek yogurt, the consistency will not be as thick but it would work.
I made these day before yesterday and they are wonderful.
OMG, It is easy and so delicious, Thanks for the tips!
The first time I made this recipe, it was so rich but so yummy that we had it over two days.
Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
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That's a good idea. I like your blog. I'm not good at cooking but I will try to make your dish. Hope that I will do it. Thanks you!
Thank you! This dip is super easy to try! I hope you like it. 🙂
This dip is very, very delicious. My guests enjoyed it very much. I definitively will make it again and again.
I'm so glad they loved this dip!! 🙂
What serving size was used for nutrition calculation?
I base this recipe off of 8 people.
Use diced red peppers instead of the tomato
That is a great idea! 🙂
A great find. I did add a dash of garlic powder & grill mates chipotle/roasted garlic for a kick. Tomatoes on hand were heirloom cherry for a variegated color. Thanks for your website.
That's a great idea! Glad you like it! Appreciate the comment! 🙂
Everything is better with cream cheese. How long dose it last in the refrigerator. I'm having a barbeque on Monday.
Thanks Kim! I couldn't agree more! Assuming your cream cheese and sour cream are not about to expire, you can def. make this 3-4 days ahead of time! Let me know how the dip goes!!
What a great idea to serve this inside a bread 🙂
It makes it so much more festive! 🙂
Looks so tasty! And the best part, when you're done you can eat the bowl 😉
Oh yeah! 😉
Spinach dip is one of my all-time favorite things! I love your variation with the cold cream cheese- perfect for summer!
Me too Julie! Thank you!
This looks so delicious! I absolutely love cold dips in the summer time. Can't wait to try it!
Thanks Nikole!! Me too! 🙂
Great dip...perfect to enjoy watching the World Cup.
I couldn't agree more! 😉
Love the colours in this dip. I just know it will be delicious so saving it for our next gathering. Thank you!
Thanks Amanda!!
On step 3 when adding the tomatoes... when you say mix, do you mean fold into or beat again with a mixer? Sorry if you've already said it, I may have overlooked it.
Hi! I just specified that in the steps to make it clear. Sorry for the confusion. You can mix them in last on low speed to make sure they don't get smashed! Mix until JUST incorporated! 🙂