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This cold Spinach Dip Recipe is quick and easy to make in just 10 minutes. With cottage cheese and fresh spinach, this no bake dip is perfect for party snacks, light appetizers, and weekly dinners. Healthy, high protein, low calorie and keto – a crowd pleaser!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
Whenever we throw a party, snacks and appetizers become the stars of the show. Mexican street corn dip, air fryer tortilla chips, and creamy hummus are some of the most requested dishes by our friends. My best friend always wants my famous whipped spinach dip. Jan loves my recipe so much that he always asks for an extra serving to bring home. He says he likes dipping in some soft bread and Trader Joe’s pita chips while watching football on game season.
Well, I seize the occasion to make an extra bowl for us. Nothing better than having a cold spinach dip in the fridge ready to enjoy. We love this recipe, and you will love it too because it is:
- Rich, creamy, cheesy and oh so delicious. Enjoyed by the spoon or as a dip for bread and croutons, it is simply too good to resist.
- Quick and easy to whip up without baking. Perfect as a 15 minute lazy snack, or on hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Simple ingredients. You only 7 basic ingredients to make a large bowl of fresh spinach dip at home.
- Healthy, high protein and keto. Clocking at 85 calories per serving, this homemade spinach dip is also great for weight loss and fitness meals.
Ingredients & substitutes
This easy spinach dip recipe only requires 7 ingredients. Fresh spinach, cottage cheese and seasonings make up the most of the dish. Here is the complete ingredient list, along with replacement options and more details. As always, you will find precise quantities and amounts in the recipe card down below.
- Fresh spinach. I like making spinach dip with fresh spinach, but you can also thaw and use frozen spinach.
- Cottage cheese. Whipped cottage cheese replaces cream cheese and sour cream while adding more protein. I recommend 4% small curd cottage cheese, but also low fat cottage cheese can be used. Replace with full fat plain Greek yogurt or softened cream cheese.
- Mayonnaise. Two tablespoons of mayo make a rich and creamy spinach dip. You can swap it out for cream cheese or more cottage cheese.
- Seasonings. Sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder gives this recipe the classic Knorr spinach dip flavors but without Knorr mix.
How to make spinach dip
Step 1 – Prepare the spinach. Steam, cook or sauté the spinach. Allow it to cool, then squeeze out all the excess water. Chop it finely. If you are using frozen spinach, thaw it ahead, then drain and chop.
Step 2 – Make the cream. In a high speed blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese with mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Blend on high, until you get a smooth cream. Taste and adjust with more seasonings if necessary.
Step 3 – Mix and enjoy. Transfer the cream to a bowl, then add the chopped spinach. Gently stir to combine all ingredients into a spinach dip. Serve with bread, croutons and crackers, or refrigerate for later.
Make ahead & Storage
This spinach veggie dip can be served immediately, or it can be prepared ahead for later. As it is a no bake cold spinach dip recipe, storing it is very simple.
Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This cold dip maintains its flavor and texture best when kept chilled. Before serving, give it a good stir to restore the creamy consistency and flavors.
Recipe tips
- The best spinach dip recipe is made with fresh spinach, it has more flavor. But of course you can also use frozen spinach, just allow it to thaw ahead and then squeeze out the water.
- After cooking, wring out the spinach to remove all the excess water. We don’t want a watery spinach dip. You can squeeze out the water from the spinach using a colander, a potato masher, a fork, or your fingers.
- Whipped cottage cheese is my secret ingredient, it adds a rich texture and so much protein. If you don’t like the taste of cottage cheese, do feel free to make this cheesy sauce with softened cream cheese.
- I find that cottage cheese is already pretty salty, so you won’t find much salt in this recipe. My recommendation is to taste the cream after blend it. If it is missing salt and seasonings, add more to your likings.
What to eat with spinach dip?
This simple spinach dip recipe makes the perfect dish for party snacks, family gatherings, healthy appetizers and light dinners. You can enjoy it on its own, or as a dip for air fryer tortilla chips, pita, crackers, croutons and soft bread.
My girlfriend and I also love serving our healthy spinach dip with carrot fries, air fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer zucchini chips, veggie sticks, celery and cucumber. So delicious as a light and satisfying vegetable snack.
To squeeze spinach, first cook or steam them, then let it cool. Once cooled, place the vegetable in a clean kitchen towel or in a colander and remove as much water as possible. This will ensure your dip is not watery and has a rich texture.
I would not recommend freezing homemade spinach dip because the cream gets watery when frozen and thawed. Since it is so quick and easy, it is better to prepare and serve it directly.
This dip is best served cold to maintain its smooth texture and creamy consistency. Heating it could cause the cottage cheese to separate, ruining the dip’s original creamy texture. For the best experience, refrigerate spinach dip until ready to serve.
More easy party snacks
- Air fryer zucchini chips
- Mexican street corn dip
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Zucchini pizza crust
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Air fryer tortilla chips
- Air fryer chickpeas
Spinach Dip Recipe
Equipment
- blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 9 oz. (250 g) fresh spinach, or thawed frozen spinach
- 1 ½ cup (330 g) cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ to 1 tsp garlic powder, to taste
- ½ tsp kosher salt, more to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Steam, cook or sauté the spinach. Allow it to cool, then squeeze out all the excess water. Chop it finely.If using frozen spinach, thaw it ahead, then drain and chop.
- In a high speed blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese with mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Blend on high, until you get a smooth cream. Taste and adjust with more seasonings if necessary.
- Transfer the cream to a bowl, then add the chopped spinach. Gently stir to combine all ingredients into a spinach dip.
- Serve immediately with bread, croutons and crackers, or place in an airtight container and refrigerate for a maximum of 3 days.
Delicious this dip of spinach! I love it?
Hey my dear Liza,
many many thanks for your lovely feedback. I am sooo glad you appreciated my latest creamy spinach dip with cottage cheese 😉
Healthy, high protein and oh so delicious.
Have a great day,
Matteo