There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dip that’s both rich in flavor and fresh in texture — that’s exactly why this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe is a go-to at my gatherings. It’s crunchy, creamy, and packed with vibrant fresh spinach that just sings in every bite.

A white bowl filled with creamy spinach dip showing visible dark green spinach leaves mixed with a thick, pale yellow creamy sauce. A woman's hand is holding a textured rectangular golden cracker dipped in the spinach mixture. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with more golden rectangular crackers arranged around it. The overall look is fresh and inviting with the creamy texture contrasting the crunchy crackers. 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 Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s so easy to make yet feels like a fancy treat. Whether it’s a midweek snack or a party appetizer, you’ll find it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.

Fresh & Crunchy: The water chestnuts add a delightful crunch that perfectly contrasts with the creamy base.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need already, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Versatile Serving Options: It pairs wonderfully with chips, crackers, or fresh veggie sticks to keep everyone happy.
Make Ahead Friendly: The flavors deepen beautifully when chilled overnight, making it perfect for prepping in advance.

A white bowl filled with a creamy mix that has green leafy pieces and small light chunks, giving it a mixed texture. The mixture looks thick and spreadable. Around the bowl are yellow square crackers with a bumpy texture. The background shows a white marbled surface with a blurred brown woven item and a blue and red striped cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe plays a vital role to get you that creamy, flavorful dip with the perfect texture contrast. Using fresh baby spinach keeps it bright and healthy, while water chestnuts bring an unexpected crunch that makes this dip stand out.

Flat lay of a small puddle of golden olive oil in a simple white ceramic bowl, a medium fresh whole carrot beside a small heap of bright orange shredded carrot, a small white bowl filled with diced translucent yellow onions, a few peeled garlic cloves next to a tiny pile of minced garlic, a small white bowl containing coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white bowl of cracked black peppercorns, a lush bunch of vibrant fresh baby spinach leaves, a small cluster of chopped green onions, a simple white ceramic bowl brimming with smooth sour cream, a small white bowl filled with creamy mayonnaise, a small white bowl holding chopped crisp water chestnuts, a fresh lemon wedge, and several whole uncracked brown eggs arranged with perfect symmetry, all 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 subtle richness and helps soften the vegetables when sautéing.
Carrot (shredded): Brings a natural sweetness and a bit of texture to balance the creaminess.
Diced Yellow Onions: Adds a savory depth and slight bite when cooked.
Minced Garlic: Boosts flavor with a gentle aromatic punch.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the dip.
Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of warm spice.
Fresh Baby Spinach: The star of the dish; fresh and tender, it wilts perfectly and delivers great nutrients.
Green Onions: Provide a fresh, mild onion flavor and a beautiful pop of color.
Sour Cream: Makes the dip creamy with its tangy richness.
Mayonnaise: Adds smooth body and a luscious mouthfeel.
Water Chestnuts (canned, chopped): The secret crunch factor that keeps each bite exciting.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami depth and a subtle tangy complexity.
Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances out the richness.
Onion Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder: Layered seasonings that build depth and complexity without adding fuss.

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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 Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe now and then — sometimes I add a bit of shredded cheese, or swap green onions for chives. Feel free to make it your own and find the twist that makes it your favorite version!

Variation: I once experimented by adding a touch of smoked paprika instead of regular paprika, which gave the dip a subtle smoky warmth that wowed my friends.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap sour cream and mayo for coconut yogurt and vegan mayo to cater to dietary needs without losing creaminess.
Extra Herb Boost: Toss in fresh dill or parsley for a herbaceous lift that brightens the dip beautifully.

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

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies Lovely and Soft

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's shimmering, toss in your shredded carrots and diced onions. Stir occasionally — you want them tender but still with some bite, about 5 minutes. Then add the garlic, salt, and pepper and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic smells fragrant and the veggies are perfectly soft. Transfer this mix to a large bowl to cool slightly.

Step 2: Wilt Your Spinach Gently

Using the same skillet, place it back on medium heat and add half of your fresh spinach. Stir it as it wilts over 3-4 minutes, then add the remaining spinach and cook until it’s fully wilted — another 3-4 minutes. This staged approach prevents overcrowding, allowing the spinach to cook evenly. Once done, drain it in a colander and press out as much moisture as possible with paper towels; this step is key to avoid a watery dip.

Step 3: Combine & Chill Till Perfect

Chop the wilted spinach finely and add it to the veggie mix. Stir in green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped water chestnuts, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and all your seasonings. Mix until everything is evenly combined. Cover and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours, though overnight is even better — the flavors have a chance to meld into something truly delightful.

Top Tip

From my experience, the key to a winning Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe is managing moisture — both in the spinach and the other ingredients. Dry ingredients lead to a dip that holds its texture and stays fresh longer.

Proper Spinach Draining: Always press out excess moisture with paper towels after wilting spinach to keep your dip thick and creamy without being watery.
Chill Time: Don’t skip the refrigeration step; letting it sit for a few hours transforms the dip from good to spectacular with deeper, blended flavors.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh baby spinach and crisp water chestnuts make a world of difference over frozen or canned alternatives.
Season Gradually: Taste as you go to adjust salt and seasoning — it’s easier to add more than to fix if you go overboard!

How to Serve Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe

Garnishes

I like to top this dip off with a sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions or a tiny dusting of smoked paprika just before serving — it adds a pop of color and a hint of smoky aroma that turns heads.

Side Dishes

This dip pairs beautifully with crispy crackers, toasted baguette slices, and colorful veggie sticks like celery, carrots, and bell peppers — it’s a surefire way to keep everyone happily munching.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, serving this in a hollowed-out bread bowl always gets compliments. I also love arranging the dip surrounded by colorful veggies on a festive platter for an eye-catching appetizer table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover dip keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. I usually give it a gentle stir before serving again to refresh the texture.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this dip because the creamy base can separate when thawed. If you do freeze it, expect some texture changes and consider stirring in a bit of fresh sour cream after thawing.

Reheating

I find this dip best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t usually necessary. If you want it slightly warm, a gentle microwave spin with occasional stirring works, but be careful not to overheat and break the creaminess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

While frozen spinach can work in a pinch, fresh baby spinach is best because it wilts nicely and retains a great texture. If you use frozen, make sure to thaw it fully and squeeze out all excess water to avoid a watery dip.

What’s the best way to chop the water chestnuts for this dip?

I recommend draining the canned water chestnuts thoroughly and chopping them into small, uniform pieces to get that perfect crunch dispersed evenly throughout the dip without overwhelming any single bite.

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! This dip actually benefits from some resting time in the refrigerator. Preparing it the night before allows the flavors to meld and improves the overall taste and consistency, making it ideal for parties and gatherings.

What are good substitutes if I don’t have mayonnaise?

If you don’t have mayonnaise, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter version, or use extra sour cream for richness. Both alternatives keep the creamy texture while slightly changing the flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts Recipe enough — it’s one of those recipes that feels like a little celebration every time you dip your cracker in. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brightens your table with fresh flavor, great texture, and that unmistakable homemade touch.