Creamy Spinach Dip

This crowd-pleasing party dip is a creamy blend of sour cream, cream cheese, spinach, and various cheeses and served with bread for dipping.

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About Creamy Spinach Dip

As much as I love coming up with new and creative appetizers, there’s no denying that classic recipes are classics for a reason. They’re the type of dishes that have weathered generations of picky eaters and are still made at next year’s Christmas party.

And one of my absolute favorite classic recipes?

Creamy spinach dip.

You can’t get much more classically crowd-pleasing than that.

What is spinach dip?

This simple and flavorful dip is a classic party appetizer that combines spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, and various cheeses and seasonings to create a smooth and flavorful dip. It is a popular choice for entertaining guests or as a tasty snack.

What’s in creamy spinach dip?

To make your own batch of this popular spinach dip, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Sour cream and cream cheese – For creating the ultra-creamy base of the dip.
• Frozen spinach – The star of the show! Adds a delicate vegetable flavor and soft texture.
• Monterrey jack cheese and Parmesan cheese – Because every tasty dip needs some cheesy goodness. Also adds to the creaminess of this warm dip.
• Dried minced onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes – Simple seasonings to add delicious flavor.

Can you use fresh spinach instead?

Certainly! While I personally prefer the convenience of frozen spinach, fresh spinach or fresh baby spinach will work just as well.

To prepare fresh spinach for this dip:

• Rinse the spinach several times and thoroughly pat dry.
• If using adult spinach, cut off any of the hard stems to ensure the consistency of the dip is soft.
• Chop or tear the spinach into small pieces, then measure out an equal portion to be used in this recipe.

What kind of bread is good with spinach dip?

I personally like to use sliced French bread (both fresh or toasted) but other popular types are crostini, pita bread, naan, sourdough, or even Hawaiian (for a sweet and savory mix).

What else can you serve for dipping?

Pretty much any salty or crunchy snack would go great with this dip, such as:

When it comes to party dips, there are so many options for dipping! Feel free to use any (or many!) from the list below:

• Tortilla chips
• Ritz crackers
• Pretzels
• Saltine crackers
• Wheat thins
• Mild veggies like cucumbers, squash, zucchini, or celery

Is this easy to make?

I’ve seen some recipes for spinach dip that require a lot of active time, with elaborate ingredients, overcomplicated instructions, and even cooking on the stovetop. And while none of that is a “bad” thing, I personally like to take a more hands-off approach when I want to serve a hot dip.

For this recipe, you only need to do two things: thoroughly mix all ingredients together and bake them in a dish. Really, that’s it! It will probably take you longer to cut the French bread than it will to get the dip ready for serving.

Plus, this method is ideal for a party, because if the dip ever gets too cold you can pop it back in the oven for 5 minutes to bring it back to melted cheesy goodness.

How long can you leave out a party dip?

Whenever you serve a “help yourself” dish like a party dip, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature.

Since this dip will be served warm, that should give you another 30-60 minutes before needing to keep track of the dip. So, in total, this dip can be left out for an absolute maximum of three hours, depending on the temperature of the room. However, be sure to still check the dip every now and then and make your best judgment.

Once you pass the recommended time, you can heat it up in the oven again.

For best results, I’d recommend using a warming tray so that the creamy spinach dip stays warm and above the “danger zone” temperature.

Can you make spinach dip in advance?

Yes, you totally can!

Just prepare the dip per recipe instructions, stopping just before baking. Cover the dish with a lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap, then store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

When ready to eat, allow the dip to come to room temperature on the counter for about 30 minutes, then follow the baking instructions as normal.

How long is spinach dip good for?

Once prepared, spinach dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

When ready to eat, allow the dip to come to room temperature on the counter for 30 minutes and follow your favorite reheating method.

Can you freeze spinach dip?

Yes, you totally can! And better yet, you can freeze this dip both before or after cooking, making it perfect for meal prepping or saving tasty leftovers.

This spinach dip can be stored in a sealable container or freezer bag for up to one to three months.

When ready to eat, allow dip to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let it come to room temperature on the counter for 30 minutes. From there, just follow your favorite reheating method.

How to reheat a party dip

If you’ve stored your spinach dip and need to zap some life back into it for another round of serving, you can use any of the following methods:

In the microwave:

1. Transfer the desired amount of spinach dip to a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave the dip on high for 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until it is heated through.
3. To ensure the dip is warm enough, check the temperature with a food thermometer. It should be at least 165 degrees F.

In the oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Transfer the desired amount of spinach dip to an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the dip from drying out.
3. Bake the dip for 20-25 minutes or until it is heated through and bubbly.
4. To ensure the dip is warm enough, check the temperature with a food thermometer. It should be at least 165 degrees F.

For best results, only heat the dip as much as you need to – so aim for pleasantly hot, not scalding – as overheating can negatively impact the taste and consistency of the dip.

What else can you add to spinach dip?

If you’d like to experiment with more flavors, consider trying some of the following:

• A tablespoon or two of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce.
• Up to half a cup of chopped bacon.
• Up to a cup of diced tomatoes.
• A half a cup of feta cheese. Would work great as a garnish, too!
• Chopped artichoke hearts, up to an equal portion of the spinach.

Notes & tips for this spinach dip

• When preparing the spinach, be sure to drain it well. Too much excess liquid in the spinach will make the dip watery and less flavorful.
• For a lighter or more tangy flavor, substitute the sour cream for Greek yogurt.
• While not necessary, you can also use a food processor to blend the ingredients for an ultra-creamy dip.
• For a pretty presentation, feel free to top the dip with chopped mild herbs like parsley or chives. You can even sprinkle some paprika on top for a dash of color.
• Like the baking dish used in the photo? I got it at IKEA!

Other tasty savory dips

How do you make hot spinach dip?

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In a large bowl, add sour cream and cream cheese, then mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 2 – Add spinach, Monterrey Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried minced onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, then use a spatula to fold and mix everything together.

Step 3 – Transfer the dip to a wide, shallow baking dish, smoothing out the top so that it’s an even layer.

Step 4 – Bake!

Step 5 – Serve dip with toasted bread for dipping.

Step 6 – Enjoy!