Few appetizers hit the spot like a good dip, and this one is no exception. The Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe stands out because it’s smooth, crunchy, and packed with fresh spinach flavor—all in one bowl. Trust me, your guests will keep coming back for more.

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a rectangular golden cracker dipped in a creamy spinach dip inside a white bowl. The dip is thick with visible dark green spinach leaves mixed into a pale, creamy base with small bits of other ingredients. The bowl is filled with the dip, which has a textured, uneven surface. Around the bowl are more golden rectangular crackers, placed on a white marbled surface. The background is blurred, highlighting the hand, cracker, and dip. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every time I make this dip, it turns into the star of the party. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, and the fresh baby spinach keeps it light and vibrant—something I personally appreciate. You’re going to find this recipe so easy, yet impressive enough for any gathering.

Freshness that pops: Using fresh baby spinach instead of frozen adds a bright and lively taste you simply can’t fake.
Crunchy texture: Those water chestnuts bring a satisfying snap that breaks up the creaminess.
Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Versatile serving options: Whether you serve it with crackers, veggie sticks, or in a bread bowl, it’s always a winner.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a creamy spinach dip that has a mixed texture of soft spinach leaves and chunks of other diced ingredients, all coated in a thick, light beige sauce with green and orange flecks. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, surrounded by square golden-yellow crackers with a slightly textured surface. The background includes a blurred woven basket and a striped cloth with red and blue lines. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each element in this dip plays its part perfectly—from the tender sautéed onions to the punchy Worcestershire sauce. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s going on with the ingredients and some shopping advice for the best results.

Flat lay of a small pool of golden olive oil in a simple white ceramic bowl, a neatly shredded bright orange medium carrot mound on a white plate, a small heap of finely diced pale yellow onions on a white plate, a tiny pile of minced fresh garlic cloves on a white plate, two whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white bowl holding freshly ground black pepper, a generous pile of vibrant fresh baby spinach leaves arranged loosely, a small handful of chopped bright green onions on a white plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth white sour cream, a small white bowl with creamy pale mayonnaise, a small white bowl containing chopped crisp water chestnuts, a small white bowl holding amber Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice, a small white bowl with pale beige onion powder, a small white bowl with deep red paprika powder, a small white bowl with light beige garlic powder placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: A good-quality olive oil brings richness without overpowering the other flavors.
Carrot: Adds a gentle sweetness and color contrast; shred it finely so it blends well.
Yellow onions: Cooked until soft, they deepen the flavor base without sharpness.
Garlic: Just a little minced garlic enhances that savory note—fresh is best.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Balancing the brightness with seasoning is key.
Fresh baby spinach: The star ingredient. Fresh rather than frozen makes the dip feel lighter and fresher.
Green onions: Added at the end for a burst of mild onion flavor and texture.
Sour cream & mayonnaise: Creamy base that brings tang and smooth texture.
Water chestnuts: That crucial crunch factor; drain well to avoid sogginess.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth, a bit of umami that rounds out the flavors.
Lemon juice: A touch of acidity brightens the whole dip.
Onion powder, paprika & garlic powder: Layered spices for subtle but effective seasoning.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This dip is like a blank canvas—you can keep it classic or tweak it to suit your tastes. I love adding a pinch more garlic powder when I’m feeling bold, or swapping out green onions for chives if I have them on hand. Play around until you find your perfect combo.

Variation: One time, I stirred in a handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese before chilling, and it gave the dip a lovely, melty twist that guests adored.
Dietary swap: To make this dairy-free, try using plant-based sour cream and mayo replacements—they still keep it creamy without missing a beat.
Seasonal update: In fall, I mix in a few finely chopped roasted red peppers for sweetness and color—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the veggies to build flavor

I start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then tossing in the shredded carrot and diced onions. Let them cook for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant, stirring every so often. Next, add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring for another minute or two. This step gets all those mellow, savory flavors developed and sets the tone for the whole dip—don’t rush it or use too high heat!

Step 2: Wilt the spinach gently

Put the skillet back on medium heat and add half the spinach first. Stir occasionally as it wilts, which takes around 3-4 minutes, then add the rest and keep stirring until it’s fully wilted—another 3-4 minutes or so. You want that fresh spinach to cook down but still taste vibrant. Once done, drain it well in a colander and press out excess moisture using paper towels. Damp spinach will water down your dip, so this step is super important.

Step 3: Combine and chill

Chop the wilted spinach into manageable pieces and add it to the bowl with your cooked onions and carrots. Toss in the green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and the spices. Stir everything until it’s evenly mixed and creamy. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—though honestly, letting it chill overnight makes the flavors marry beautifully.

Top Tip

Through making this recipe many times, I realized a few tricks can really elevate your dip game—saving you from watery dip and bland flavor, plus making prep easier.

Drain and Dry Spinach Thoroughly: Pressing out as much water as possible prevents the dip from becoming soggy and keeps it rich and creamy.
Chill Overnight for Best Flavor: I always recommend this—it lets the spices and Worcestershire sauce meld deeply with the veggies.
Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic beats powder for that vibrant kick; just sauté lightly so it doesn't burn and turn bitter.
Add Crunch at the End: Stir the chopped water chestnuts in last and keep them chilled to maintain that satisfying crunch every bite.

How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple and sprinkle chopped fresh green onions or a little paprika on top for color. Sometimes, I add a few water chestnut slices right on the surface—it signals that crunchy texture in every scoop, plus it looks pretty inviting.

Side Dishes

This dip is a champ paired with an assortment of sides like crispy pita chips, sturdy baguette slices, or even colorful raw veggies such as carrot sticks, celery, and bell pepper strips. For a comforting twist, I’ve also served it alongside warm soft pretzels at family game nights.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation tricks is serving the dip in a hollowed-out artisan bread bowl. It adds a rustic touch and doubles as extra bread for dipping. For parties, I like to put the dip in small ramekins surrounded by a colorful platter of veggies and chips—makes it easy for folks to grab and keeps things neat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge, and it stays fresh for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before serving again, since the ingredients can settle and separate a bit. I usually find it tastes just as good or even better the next day!

Freezing

Freezing this dip isn’t my go-to since the texture of fresh spinach and water chestnuts can get a little disappointing after thawing. But if you must, freeze it in a tightly sealed container and thaw slowly in the fridge overnight. Just note that it might be a bit watery and lose crunch.

Reheating

I prefer serving this dip cold or at room temperature, but if you want it warm, gently heat it in a skillet over low heat, stirring often to prevent sticking. Adding a splash of sour cream or mayonnaise during reheating can help keep it creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen spinach in this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe?

You can, but fresh baby spinach is what really makes this dip special. If you use frozen, make sure it’s fully thawed and squeezed dry to avoid excess water that will make the dip watery.

What are the best dippers for this dip?

I love serving it with a mix of sturdy crackers, pita chips, baguette slices, and fresh veggie sticks like carrots and celery. The crunchier the dip companions, the better the contrast with its creamy texture.

Can I prepare this dip in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, chilling it for at least two hours or overnight really helps the flavors develop and makes for a tastier dip. Just keep it covered tightly in the fridge.

Is the water chestnut necessary?

Water chestnuts add a unique crunch and texture contrast that lifts this dip above a typical creamy spinach dip. If you don’t have them, you can substitute finely chopped jicama or celery for a similar effect, but they bring a distinctive flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen for years, especially when I need something crowd-pleasing that feels homemade but doesn’t take forever. It’s cozy yet fresh, simple but sophisticated—and once you try it, I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. So grab those fresh ingredients and enjoy making a dip that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe box, too.