There’s something so comforting about a creamy, zesty dip that just invites you to keep dipping. The Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe is that perfect mix of fresh greens, crunchy water chestnuts, and creamy goodness that always brings people around the table. It’s simple, satisfying, and honestly, a total crowd-pleaser every single time.

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

This dip quickly became one of my favorites because it feels both wholesome and indulgent. The crunch from the water chestnuts adds that unexpected textural pop that makes it stand out. Plus, it’s fast enough to whip up on a weeknight but impressive enough for any party.

Freshness in Every Bite: Using fresh baby spinach keeps the flavor bright and vibrant, not muted like with frozen spinach dips.
Crunch Factor: Water chestnuts add a pleasant crunch that pairs perfectly with the creamy base.
Super Versatile: This dip works great with crackers, chips, fresh veggies, or even inside a bread bowl for an impressive presentation.
Easy Prep With Big Impact: You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated steps — it’s straightforward but makes a real splash.

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

Every ingredient in this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe plays its part: fresh spinach for earthiness, crunchy water chestnuts for texture, and a tangy, creamy combo to tie everything together. Here’s why I pick each one and a couple of tips when shopping or prepping.

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: Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil to gently sauté the veggies; it adds subtle fruitiness without overpowering the dip.
Carrot: Fresh shredded carrot brings a touch of natural sweetness and color contrast.
Yellow onions: Diced yellow onions lend savory depth when sautéed, mellowing their bite beautifully.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds a fragrant punch—don’t skip it!
Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and brighten all the flavors.
Fresh baby spinach: The star ingredient, packed with flavor and nutrients; fresh is key here to keep that vibrant green and tender texture.
Green onions: Thinly sliced for extra freshness and a mild onion hint that complements the dip.
Sour cream: Adds creaminess and slight tang to cut through the richness of mayo.
Mayonnaise: Provides a smooth, luscious base that holds everything together perfectly.
Water chestnuts: Drained and chopped, they give the dip that signature crunch and a subtle sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings savory umami depth—such a game changer in dips.
Lemon juice: A splash brightens the whole mixture and balances flavors beautifully.
Onion powder, paprika, garlic powder: These dried spices layer in extra warmth and complexity without overpowering the fresh ingredients.

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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

I love tweaking this dip depending on the occasion and what I have on hand. It’s easy to customize, so feel free to play around with add-ins or swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out half the mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten things up — it adds a lovely tang and boosts protein without losing creaminess.
Spice it up: If you enjoy a little heat, a dash of cayenne pepper or some finely chopped jalapeños can add a pleasantly spicy kick.
Herb boost: Fresh dill or parsley stirred in at the end gives the dip an herbaceous freshness that’s delightful.
Make it vegan: Use vegan mayo and sour cream alternatives, and the recipe stays just as creamy and tasty.

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

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in shredded carrots and diced yellow onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Then add the minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper, stirring everything together for another couple of minutes. This mix builds the flavorful foundation for your dip. Make sure the garlic doesn’t brown too much—it should just be fragrant.

Step 2: Wilt your spinach like a pro

Return your skillet to medium heat and add half the fresh spinach. Stir occasionally and let it wilt for 3-4 minutes. Then add the rest and continue cooking until all the spinach is fully wilted—another 3-4 minutes. This step is key because it cooks out excess water and softens the leaves so the dip isn’t watery or stringy.

Step 3: Remove moisture and combine

Once the spinach is wilted, transfer it to a colander and press out as much excess moisture as you can using paper towels. This keeps your dip from turning runny later. Chop the spinach finely and add it to your bowl with the sautéed veggie mixture.

Step 4: Bring it all together

Add chopped green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir everything until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors marry. I find it tastes even better after chilling overnight—so plan ahead if you can!

Top Tip

Having made this dip dozens of times, I can confidently say that wringing out the spinach thoroughly is a must. Here are some tips to keep your dip thick, creamy, and perfect every time.

Press, don't squeeze: Use a colander lined with paper towels and gently press down to remove moisture instead of vigorous squeezing which can mush up the spinach.
Chill time matters: Letting the dip rest uncovered in the fridge for a little bit before covering helps any residual moisture evaporate.
Fresh ingredients count: Using fresh baby spinach instead of frozen will always give a better texture and flavor.
Don’t skip the Worcestershire: It’s that secret umami ingredient that elevates the whole dip beyond just creamy to downright crave-worthy.

How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Garnishes

For me, a sprinkle of extra chopped green onions or a pinch of paprika on top adds a nice touch. Sometimes I toss on a few toasted pine nuts or a light drizzle of olive oil for a bit of richness and eye appeal. Simple garnishes really make a difference and invite people to dive in.

Side Dishes

I love serving this creamy spinach dip with a variety of dippers: crispy pita chips, sturdy baguette slices, crunchy carrots and celery sticks, or classic tortilla chips. It pairs well with a crisp white wine or a light sparkling beverage to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation styles is to hollow out a round sourdough loaf and serve the dip inside the bread bowl. It looks impressive and everyone loves dunking their bread into the creamy dip. You can also arrange the dip in small ramekins with different dippers around a large platter for an inviting party spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover creamy spinach dip covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. It usually keeps well for about 3-4 days. If you find the dip has thickened too much, just stir in a little extra sour cream or a dash of milk to restore creaminess before serving again.

Freezing

I haven’t had great luck freezing this dip because the texture of the sour cream and fresh spinach changes once frozen and thawed. For best flavor and texture, I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.

Reheating

This dip is best served cold or at room temperature, but if you prefer it warm, gently reheat it in the microwave for short bursts with occasional stirring. Avoid overheating as the cream can separate. Warm just enough to take the chill off and soften the mayo and sour cream.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

While you can use frozen spinach, it tends to release more moisture and can make the dip watery if not properly squeezed out. Fresh baby spinach is preferred for the best flavor and texture.

How long can I store leftover spinach dip?

Leftover creamy spinach dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Always check for freshness before serving again.

Can I make this spinach dip vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the sour cream and mayonnaise for vegan or dairy-free alternatives. You can also add extra lemon juice or nutritional yeast to keep the flavor rich and creamy.

What are the best dippers for this creamy spinach dip?

Classic options like crackers, pita chips, and baguette slices are excellent. Fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, bell peppers, and even tortilla chips also complement the dip wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe has become one of those recipes I return to time and again—whether for a cozy night in or when I want to wow friends at a gathering. The balance of fresh spinach, crisp water chestnuts, and that creamy, tangy base just hits all the right notes. Give it a try and let it become one of your go-to dips too—you might find it disappearing faster than you expect!