Classic Knorr Spinach Dip (In a Bread Bowl)
Watch guests dive in as you place this classic Knorr spinach dip in a bread bowl on the table. It’s a super popular, old-favorite appetizer with variations to suit your preferences. A flavorful creamy dip with texture!
The dip is made with just 5 simple ingredients – sour cream, mayonnaise, frozen spinach, a packet of vegetable soup mix, and crunchy water chestnuts for great texture.
I tend to use the Knorr vegetable soup mix in a packet for this recipe as it has a relatively simple ingredient list and is free from artificial flavors. Other brands will work fine as well.
I love serving the spinach dip in a bread bowl – very retro! A bread bowl is a perfect vehicle because it presents beautifully, it produces perfect dippers and, best of all, you can rip off the sides with clinging dip as it is nearing the end.
This is a party-perfect spinach dip recipe that serves 16-20 people. Expect a huge hit that will disappear quickly 🙂
Ingredients – tailored to your taste
Spinach: I use frozen chopped spinach for this recipe. Many packages of frozen spinach come in a 10-ounce bag which is what you need. We have instructions in the recipe card for fresh spinach as well.
Package of vegetable soup mix: If available I use Knorr brand. Most brands will work just fine. Using an alternative soup mix like leek soup or onion soup will alter the flavor to a predominant onion taste if you like that.
Sour cream: Full fat will produce a richer dip of course. To lighten it up, use low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
Mayonnaise: Use full-fat or light mayonnaise.
Water chestnuts: (optional) have almost no taste, but add a wonderful crunchy texture to the dip. They typically come in a can, peeled and sliced, in the canned vegetable section of your grocery store.
Bread bowl: A bread bowl is optional but a great serving option. Use a sturdy bread like pumpernickel bread or sourdough bread. You can buy a round or oblong loaf of bread – not sliced.
Add-in Variations
- lemon zest
- chopped artichoke hearts (tangy)
- toasted nuts – these can replace the water chestnuts for crunch
- spices for heat such as hot sauce or chili crisp
- fresh herbs like dill, basil or thyme (dried will work too)
- cheeses – cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, gruyere. This would be good in a warm version of the dip, adding some gooey-ness.
Step-by-step instructions
Bread bowl tips
Keep the empty bread bowl and cut up bread pieces in a sealed bag to keep them fresh if cutting it up ahead of time. This will keep it fresh.
***Consider slicing the sides of the bowl*** at 1-inch (2.5 cm) intervals for guests to rip off when the dip is almost finished. Bread plus dip – no waste! Don’t worry – the cold dip won’t seep through the cracks.
Shortcut
Skip the bread bowl and serve the spinach dip with crackers or veggies. The prep time for the dip is only 10 minutes or so without the bread.
Make Ahead
It is best to make Knorr’s spinach dip at least 2 hours ahead to allow the flavors and dry package soup mix to blend. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
What to serve with knorr spinach dip recipe
For serving purposes, I love the soft and fluffy bread-bowl bread. If you prefer to serve the dip in a regular bowl, include one or more of your favorite dippers:
- fresh vegetables: celery and carrot sticks, broccoli florets, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices
- crackers: pita chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, breadsticks, melba toast, etc.
- homemade naan bread or other bread cut into pieces
What to serve alongside the spinach dip? More appetizers of course!
In keeping with a retro tried-and-true theme, consider baked brie with preserves and a simple shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce.
To keep things vegetarian, check out our full list of vegetarian appetizers and serving tips.
Or for a potluck, how about some easy potluck appetizers under 30 minutes?
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen. Simply blanch the spinach in boiling water for 1-2 minutes or pop it in the microwave, covered, for a minute. Then squeeze out any moisture and chop the spinach before adding it to the dip.
Yes, you can heat Knorr spinach dip if you prefer it warm. Transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until it’s heated through. Alternatively, heat in microwave for a minute or two stirring in between. Spoon into a bread bowl if using.
Yes, you can make a vegan or dairy-free version of Knorr spinach dip. Replace the sour cream and mayo with plant-based alternatives like vegan sour cream or dairy-free yogurt. Use a vegetable soup mix that is also vegan or dairy-free.
Knorr spinach dip is not gluten-free as the vegetable soup mix lists wheat on the package ingredients.
More recipes with spinach
If you follow Two Kooks recipes, you will know that we add fresh baby spinach (or frozen) to a LOT of dishes for extra nutrition and color! Here are a few favorites:
- spinach mac and cheese
- best ever creamed spinach (15 minutes)
- mushroom spinach pasta
- sweet potato and carrot soup with spinach
- smothered chicken with vegetables
If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!
Classic Knorr Spinach Dip (In a Bread Bowl)
Ingredients
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, Note 1
- 2 cups sour cream, Note 2
- 1 cup mayonnaise (full fat or light)
- 1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix, Note 3
- 8 ounces sliced water chestnuts in a can (one can)
- 3 green onions, chopped (optional)
Bread bowl (optional)
- 1 unsliced pumpernickel or sourdough bread, round or oblong. about 8 inches/20 cm diameter
Instructions
- PREPARE SPINACH: Microwave frozen spinach, covered, for 3 minutes to blanch it. Drain in a mesh sieve, pressing out water with a spoon. Then put in paper towels or a tea towel and squeeze further. Remove as much excess water as possible.
- MIX SPINACH DIP: Place spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, vegetable soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions (if using) into a large bowl and mix well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 2 hours (or more).
- MAKE BREAD BOWL (OPTIONAL): Slice top off bread, leaving base of bread at least 2 inches (5 cm) high. Slice around the bowl 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) from edge. DON'T slice through bottom of base. Using your fingers, lift off the inside of bread, ending up with a bread 'bowl'. Cut bread, including top into bread cubes for dipping. Note 4.
Recipe Notes
- To use fresh spinach, blanch 1 1/2 pound of fresh spinach in boiling water for 1-2 minutes or pop it in the microwave, covered, for a minute. Then squeeze out any moisture (well!) and chop the spinach before adding it to the dip.
- Sour cream alternatives: Use full fat (richer taste) or, for a lighter version, use light sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- Vegetable soup mix: Use a packet of Knorr or another brand. You can also try leek or onion soup mix, but the dip will taste more like an onion dip.
- Bread bowl tips:
- Freshness: Keep the empty bread bowl and cut up bread pieces in a sealed bag to keep them fresh if cutting it up ahead of time. This will keep it fresh.
- Consider slicing the sides of the bread bowl at 1-inch (2.5 cm) intervals for guests to rip off when the dip is almost finished. Bread plus dip – no waste! Don’t worry – the cold dip won’t seep through the cracks.
- Variations:
- For a vegan or dairy-free version: Replace the sour cream and mayo with plant-based alternatives like vegan sour cream or dairy-free yogurt. Use a vegetable soup mix that is also vegan.
- For a warm spinach dip: Transfer dip (without bread) to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until it’s heated through. Alternatively, heat in microwave for a minute or two stirring in between. Spoon into a bread bowl if using. For a spinach dip that includes gooey cheese, check out this recipe for hot spinach dip by Dinner At The Zoo.
- Add-in options:
- lemon zest
- chopped artichoke hearts (tangy)
- toasted nuts – these can replace the water chestnuts for crunch
- spices for heat such as hot sauce or chili crisp
- fresh herbs like dill, basil or thyme (dried will work too)
- cheeses – cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, gruyere. This would be good in a warm version of the dip, adding some gooey-ness.
- Shortcut: skip the bread bowl and serve dip with crackers or fresh vegetables.
- Make-ahead: It is best to make the Knorr spinach dip at least 2 hours ahead to allow the flavors and dry package soup mix to blend. If making a day or two ahead, don’t put it in a bread bowl (if using) until serving time or an hour before. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
