It’s late January and my Philadelphia Eagles just beat the Washington Commanders — they’re headed to the Super Bowl. That made me think: what recipe should I share that’s perfect for a Super Bowl party? The first thing that came to mind was spinach dip. No matter the party, dip is always on the menu — spinach dip, buffalo chicken dip, cheese dip — you name it.
For readers who aren’t familiar: the Super Bowl is the final game of the NFL season between the two top teams, and it decides the league champion. Friends and family gather, usually at home, to watch the game, and light finger foods — pizza, wings, snacks, soft drinks, cocktails, and dips — are the usual fare.
With the Super Bowl just weeks away, this easy, delicious spinach dip is an ideal party addition. It’s simple to make and a crowd-pleaser — one of the best spinach dip recipes around.
What makes this a good recipe?
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes and very straightforward to prepare.
- Perfect midnight snack: Light and easy on the stomach, great for late-night snacking.
- Kid-friendly: A fun way to get kids to eat spinach. It’s not a health food — thanks to sour cream and mayo — but it’s a tastier, more appealing way to get greens into a child’s snack when served with chips or veggies.
My nana fell in love with this spinach dip!
I have to share this story about my nana, Alice Mae. She and my grandma Gwen were the cooks who inspired my love of cooking. They were tough critics, so when they complimented my food, I knew it was good.
When my nana got older and cooked less, I would bring food over whenever I visited. One summer afternoon in 2014 I brought this spinach dip to her house. She looked at it like she’d never seen anything like it.
“What’s that?” she asked. “Spinach dip!” I replied. She had never heard of eating spinach mixed with mayo and sour cream and was visibly disgusted. After I offered her a Wheat Thin with some dip, she hesitated, then tried one. Her expression went from skepticism to surprise to delight — she quickly asked for more. The whole transition from “what is that?” to “I want more” still makes me laugh.
That memory is one of many I have of my nana — sassy, funny, and never one to suffer fools gladly. Now let’s get to the ingredients and the method for my version of spinach dip.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Spinach: Frozen spinach — one 32-ounce bag (or two 16-ounce bags).
- Cheese: Parmesan, preferably grated from a block or pre-shredded/shaved Parmesan.
- Condiments: Sour cream and mayonnaise (I prefer Hellmann’s).
- Seasonings: Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix, salt, and black pepper.
Benefits of using frozen spinach over fresh spinach
- Cheaper: Frozen spinach gives you more volume for your money. You’d need several bags of fresh baby spinach to equal one frozen bag.
- Better flavor concentration: Frozen spinach is concentrated, which intensifies the spinach flavor in the dip.
- Less prep: Frozen spinach is already cooked and chopped, so you only need to defrost and dry it. Fresh spinach requires chopping and more cooking time to wilt and reduce liquid.
How to make spinach dip
- Cook the frozen spinach: Place the frozen spinach in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until it fully defrosts and most of the liquid evaporates, about 15–30 minutes depending on how frozen it is.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to medium, add the Parmesan, and stir until the cheese melts and blends into the spinach, about 5 minutes.
- Add the seasonings: Transfer the spinach to a large serving bowl, add salt, black pepper, and the Knorr vegetable recipe mix, and stir to combine.
- Let it cool: Allow the spinach mixture to cool for 20–30 minutes so it’s not warm when you add the dairy.
- Mix in sour cream and mayo: Stir in the sour cream and mayonnaise until the dip is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.
Tips for best results:
- Make ahead: Prepare the dip at least 8 hours before serving. Refrigeration lets flavors meld and the dip firm up a bit.
- Dry the spinach well: Removing excess liquid is crucial. If the spinach is too wet, the dip will be diluted and lack flavor. Cook the spinach until most moisture is gone.
- Remove stems: If you see any hard stems, discard them after steaming. Nobody wants to bite into tough stems while snacking.
- Smoother texture: Knorr’s mix contains dried vegetables like tomatoes that add texture. For a smoother dip, remove some of the dried tomatoes from the mix.
Serving suggestions
- Wheat Thins: My top recommendation — they pair perfectly with this spinach dip.
- Tortilla chips or Tortitos: A good crunchy option that pairs well with the creamy dip.
- Vegetables: Broccoli florets, cucumber slices, and carrot sticks are great for a lighter, healthier option.
Storage and shelf life
Store the dip covered in the refrigerator in a serving bowl wrapped with plastic or in an airtight container. Because this dip contains mayonnaise, eat it within three days for best quality and flavor.
Occasions to serve spinach dip
Spinach dip is a versatile appetizer for Super Bowl parties, baby showers, cocktail gatherings, potlucks, or any event where light snacks are welcome. It’s also a great snack to pack for lunches or to bring to the office. I wouldn’t recommend it for a formal holiday dinner, but for casual get-togethers it’s perfect.
Scaling the recipe
Need more dip? Simply multiply the ingredients to double, triple, or quadruple the batch. Keep the same proportions and scale up as needed.
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Other appetizers you might like
- The Best Beef Chili Recipe
- World’s Best Deviled Eggs
- Delicious Crispy Fried Shrimp
- The Best Stuffed Peppers
Equipment
- Large skillet: Needed to cook out the liquid from the spinach and melt the cheese into it.
- Big spoon: For stirring and combining ingredients.
- Serving bowl: For mixing and serving the dip.
- Measuring cups and spoons: To measure mayo, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings accurately.
Bring this dip to your next Super Bowl party and watch it disappear — people will be asking for the recipe. If you enjoy it, please give it five stars on the site to help others find it, and subscribe for new recipes.
Enjoy — later!
Pbj~