Nothing says cozy gathering like a rich, luscious dip to share—and this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe truly hits the spot. The fresh spinach combined with the satisfying crunch of water chestnuts creates a texture and flavor you’ll find downright addictive.

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

I’ve made this spinach dip countless times for game days and casual get-togethers, and it’s always the first to disappear. What makes it so special? It’s the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy, with only fresh ingredients that come together so naturally.

Freshness Front and Center: Using fresh baby spinach gives this dip a bright flavor and vibrant color you just can’t get with frozen.
Crunchy Surprise: Water chestnuts add that satisfying crisp texture that makes every bite interesting.
Easy and Quick: You can whip it up in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect last-minute crowd-pleaser.
Adaptable and Kid-Friendly: Customize the seasoning or serve with whatever veggies or crackers you have on hand.

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

The beauty of this dip lies in the harmony of simple, fresh ingredients. Each one plays a role in coming together for that creamy yet textured bite you crave. When you shop, look for the freshest baby spinach you can find and grab good-quality sour cream and mayo for smoothness.

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: Adds a silky base for sautéing the veggies without overpowering flavors.
Carrot: Shredded fresh carrots bring natural sweetness and color contrast.
Yellow onions: Provide savory depth when sautéed gently.
Minced garlic: Gives a punchy aromatic lift that infuses the dip with warmth.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasoning that balances all the flavors.
Fresh baby spinach: Key ingredient for freshness and nutritious green goodness.
Green onions: Add a mild oniony crispness and a splash of color.
Sour cream: Brings rich creaminess with a subtle tang that brightens the dip.
Mayonnaise: Adds luscious texture and helps everything bind together.
Water chestnuts: Chopped for signature crunch and a hint of sweet earthiness.
Worcestershire sauce: Provides subtle umami and depth to boost flavor.
Lemon juice: A touch of acidity that balances creaminess.
Onion powder, paprika, garlic powder: Layered seasonings that round out and elevate the dip's taste.

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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

One of the best parts about this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you love or what you have. I often play around with different add-ins or spice levels depending on the occasion and mood.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt to lighten it up, and it still has that creamy texture but with a bit more tanginess.
Make it vegan: Using vegan mayo and sour cream alternatives works surprisingly well if you’re accommodating plant-based diets.
Add some heat: A pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce can wake up the dip if you like a subtle kick.
Herb infusion: Fresh dill or chives stirred in right before serving give it a fresh herbaceous note that’s irresistible.

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

Step 1: Sauté the Carrots and Onions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Then, toss in the shredded carrots and diced yellow onions. Stir occasionally, letting them soften and sweeten for about 5 minutes. This creates a flavorful foundation—don’t rush this step. When the veggies are tender, add garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well and cook for another 1-2 minutes to let the garlic mellow without burning. Once done, transfer this mix into a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Wilt the Spinach

Place the skillet back on medium heat and add half of the fresh baby spinach. Sauté, stirring now and then, for 3-4 minutes until it starts to wilt. Then add the rest and continue cooking until it’s all tender and wilted (another 3-4 minutes). The key here is not to rush—slow wilting keeps the spinach tender, not mushy.

Step 3: Drain and Chop Spinach

Once wilted, transfer the spinach to a colander. Press out as much moisture as you can with paper towels—the less wet your greens are, the thicker and creamier your final dip will be. After draining, chop the spinach finely before adding it to the bowl with the sautéed carrots and onions.

Step 4: Combine and Chill

Add chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder to the bowl. Stir everything gently but thoroughly until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—though I strongly recommend overnight. The flavors deepen overnight, making each scoop truly irresistible.

Top Tip

This dip is straightforward but getting the moisture right with the spinach is the game changer. Too wet, and the dip becomes runny—too dry, and it loses smoothness. Through trial and error, I learned pressing the spinach well after wilting makes a huge difference in that perfect creamy texture.

Spinach Moisture Management: After wilting, press the spinach with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much water as possible.
Flavor Development: Refrigerate it overnight to really let the flavors marry—next day is always tastier.
Mix Gently: To keep the water chestnut crunch intact, fold everything gently instead of vigorous stirring.
Don’t Skip Sautéing: Sauté the veggies instead of just mixing raw—this step unlocks natural sweetness and melds flavors beautifully.

How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle extra chopped green onions or a pinch of paprika on top before serving—it adds a fresh pop of color and a little extra flavor. Sometimes I toss on a few finely diced water chestnuts just for that extra crunch right at the edge of every bite.

Side Dishes

This dip goes perfectly with a combo of crispy pita chips, buttery baguette slices, and fresh crunchy veggies like carrot sticks, celery, and bell pepper strips—whatever you prefer or have lying around. On occasion, I serve it with kettle-cooked potato chips for a salty, crunchy contrast that’s utterly addictive.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to serve this dip at parties is inside a hollowed-out bread bowl. It not only looks inviting but keeps the dip warm and easy to scoop. For a rustic touch, I arrange a colorful platter around it with seasonal veggies and crackers, making it the centerpiece of any snack table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dip actually tastes even better after a day or two, so it’s perfect to make ahead of time. Give it a quick stir before serving because some separation can happen, but it easily comes back together.

Freezing

This dip doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh veggies and dairy. I've tried freezing it before, and it tends to get watery and separate. So I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated if you want the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

If you want to serve it warm, I gently reheat leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl at medium power in short bursts, stirring in between. Warm just enough so it’s heated through but not too hot—you don’t want to cook the dip further and lose that fresh spinach texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Fresh spinach is best for this recipe because it retains texture and flavor better after cooking. Frozen spinach tends to release more water, which can make the dip runny. However, if you only have frozen, be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly, pressing out as much moisture as possible before using.

How long can I store this dip in the refrigerator?

You can store leftover Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve the next day, so making it ahead is a great idea. Just give it a good stir before serving again.

What can I serve this dip with?

This dip is super versatile! It pairs wonderfully with crackers, baguette slices, pita chips, tortilla chips, as well as fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, and bell peppers. I like to have a mix on hand so guests can choose their favorite dipping option.

Can I make this dip vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the sour cream and mayonnaise for your favorite vegan alternatives, and double-check Worcestershire sauce ingredients (some contain anchovies). The flavor and texture will be a bit different but still delicious and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe has become my go-to every time I want to bring something simple but truly loved to the table. It’s fresh, flavorful, and has just enough crunch to keep each bite interesting. I hope you try it out and find it as addictively delicious as I do—I just know it’ll be a hit at your next gathering!