It’s late January and my Philadelphia Eagles just beat the Washington Commanders — now we’re headed to the Super Bowl. With the big game coming, I wanted to share a spinach dip recipe that’s perfect for any Super Bowl party. Dip is always a party favorite, whether it’s classic spinach dip, buffalo chicken dip, or a simple cheesy dip. This cold, no-artichoke spinach dip is quick, creamy, and easy to transport to gatherings.
Super Bowl gatherings are a time for friends and family to come together, enjoy light, shareable foods, and cheer on great football. Snacks like pizza, wings, chips, and dips are staples. This spinach dip is a great addition to that spread — it’s simple to make, kid-friendly, and a reliable crowd-pleaser.
What makes this a good recipe?
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes and requires only basic steps.
- Perfect late-night snack: Creamy and light enough for a midnight bite without feeling too heavy.
- Kid-friendly: A tasty way to get kids to enjoy spinach. It’s mixed with sour cream and mayonnaise, so it’s not a health food, but it’s a more vegetable-forward snack than many alternatives.
My nana fell in love with this spinach dip!
I have to share a little family story. My nana, Alice Mae — who I often mention on the blog — loved food and was a tough critic. She and my grandma Gwen taught me to love cooking. One summer afternoon in 2014 I brought her a container of this spinach dip. At 83, she had never seen spinach mixed with sour cream and mayo and initially looked horrified.
She watched as I ate it with Wheat Thins, then slowly went from disgust to curiosity to hunger. She tried one and immediately wanted more. The whole transformation — from skepticism to delight after one bite — still makes me laugh. It’s one of those moments I’ll always remember.
Below are the ingredients and my preferred method. This version uses frozen spinach for convenience and concentrated flavor, and it avoids artichokes so the dip stays smooth and straightforward.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Spinach: 32 oz frozen spinach (one large bag or two 16-oz bags).
- Cheese: Parmesan — grated from a block or pre-shredded/shaved.
- Condiments: Sour cream and mayonnaise (Hellmann’s or your preferred brands work well).
- Seasonings: Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix (two small packets), salt, and black pepper.
Benefits of using frozen spinach over fresh
- Cost-effective: Frozen spinach gives you more volume for less money than fresh leaves.
- Stronger flavor: Frozen spinach tends to be more concentrated, which can enhance the dip’s spinach flavor.
- Less prep: Frozen spinach is pre-chopped and partially cooked — you only need to heat and drain it, saving time compared with washing, chopping, and wilting fresh spinach.
How to make spinach dip
- Cook the frozen spinach: Place the frozen spinach in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until it thaws and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 15–30 minutes depending on how frozen it was. The goal is to remove excess moisture so the dip isn’t watery.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce heat to medium and stir in the Parmesan. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and blends into the spinach, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add the seasonings: Transfer the spinach and melted cheese to a large serving bowl. Add the Knorr vegetable mix, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Let it cool: Allow the spinach mixture to cool for 20–30 minutes so it’s not hot when you fold in the dairy.
- Fold in sour cream and mayo: Stir in the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth and evenly combined.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours — overnight or 8 hours is ideal — so the flavors meld and the dip firms up slightly.
Tips for best results
- Make ahead: Prepare the dip at least 8 hours before serving. Chilling helps the flavors combine and improves texture.
- Dry the spinach well: Removing as much liquid as possible during cooking prevents a diluted dip. Steam until most of the water cooks out.
- Remove tough stems: After cooking, pick out any hard stems for a better mouthfeel.
- Smoother dip option: Knorr vegetable mix contains small dried vegetables; removing some dried tomatoes or other pieces will produce a smoother texture if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
- Wheat Thins: A classic and one of the best pairings for this dip.
- Tortilla chips or other crackers: Great when you want something sturdy and salty.
- Fresh vegetables: Broccoli florets, cucumber slices, and carrot sticks make for a lighter, healthier dippable option.
Steaming time for frozen spinach
If the spinach has been in the freezer solid, plan for up to 30 minutes to fully steam off the liquid. If it’s already partially thawed, about 15 minutes may be enough. The key is to evaporate most of the moisture.
Storage and shelf life
Store the dip covered in the refrigerator in a serving bowl wrapped with plastic wrap or in a sealed container. For safety and best flavor, consume within 3 days because mayonnaise-based dips decline in quality after that.
Occasions to serve spinach dip
Spinach dip is a versatile appetizer for social gatherings: Super Bowl parties, baby showers, cocktail parties, potlucks, and casual get-togethers. It travels well and is easy to scale up for larger crowds.
Scaling the recipe
To serve bigger groups, simply double, triple, or quadruple the ingredient amounts. Keep the same ratios and adjust seasoning to taste.
Pin this recipe and follow along
Other appetizers you might like
- The Best Beef Chili Recipe
- World’s Best Deviled Eggs
- Delicious Easy Crispy Fried Shrimp
- The BEST Stuffed Peppers
Equipment
- Large skillet: Needed to cook the spinach and evaporate excess water.
- Big spoon or spatula: For stirring the spinach and cheese.
- Serving bowl: To combine the dip ingredients and serve.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate portions of mayo, sour cream, and seasonings.
Bring this dip to your next Super Bowl party and watch it disappear — people will ask for the recipe. If you enjoy it, give it a five-star rating where you found it so others can discover the recipe more easily.
Enjoy and have a great game day!
— Pbj
Recipe Summary
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Total time: 30 minutes active (longer with chill time)
- Yield: About 10 servings
- Category: Appetizers
Ingredients (quick list)
- 32 oz frozen spinach
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (shaved or shredded)
- Two 1.4 oz packs Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions (quick steps)
- Cook the frozen spinach in a skillet over medium-high heat until thawed and most liquid evaporates, 15–30 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in Parmesan until melted.
- Transfer to a bowl and add Knorr mix, salt, and pepper; stir well.
- Let the mixture cool for 20–30 minutes.
- Fold in sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least a few hours before serving.