it pains me to say
Recipe: knorr’s spinach dip
Oh wait. I meant to write: It pains me to type. Because it does. Shoulder and neck hurt like hell, but I’m more than 2/3rds done with my web overhaul. The end is in sight – for me or the web pages, take your pick.
I did manage a short break on Friday and went into town for errands and a couple of important dates. The first of my clandestine meetings sent my heart aflutter!
ten weeks
puppy getting chilly
The second of my meetings also sent my heart aflutter, but in a different way. I met Jeremy on Pearl Street at the cookware shop and from there we proceeded to happy hour. I talked his ear off for the first 15 minutes about the puppy. However, happy hour was a good move, because Jeremy got to unwind after a stressful day.
the med
Very little in the way of fun occurred this weekend, but since Jeremy had a ton of work to do and I had a ton of work to do, it was nice to both be working together (well, separately, but in the same office). I did manage to re-shoot an old favorite recipe. It is, in fact, one of the most searched for recipes that leads people to my website. It hasn’t led anyone directly to my blog because it wasn’t on my blog… until now.
can you guess?
Right. For all of the recipes on use real butter, people are apparently seeking out the Knorr’s spinach dip recipe. Since I am in the process of consolidating most food-related pages from my website over here, I figured it was high time to send Miss Popularity over too.
frozen spinach: thawed and squozen
I have a lot of dip recipes and I think this is my favorite. I know it is Jeremy’s favorite because he is the one who scarfs down the leftovers the day after we’ve thrown a party. It is the recipe off the back of the box of the Knorr’s vegetable soup mix, although I omit the onions.
dicing water chestnuts
Even though it takes less time to run the water chestnuts through a food processor, I rather like cutting them by hand. It ensures more crunchiness and less mushiness as my mince is uniform. Oh, and I noticed that in the past, I used to buy 10 ounce packages of frozen spinach. These days, I buy organic frozen spinach, and I can only find that in 16 ounce bags – so I use 60% more spinach, but the dip is even better that way, in my very opinionated opinion.
dump everything into a bowl
It’s surprising how much Jeremy loves this dip because he dislikes both mayonnaise and sour cream – and there is a lot of each in the recipe. It takes no time at all to put together, but it should sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to let the dehydrated vegetables in the soup mix soften up.
mix it together
Aside from serving this dip as a dip, I love to make little finger sandwiches with it for teas. I even went so far as to get white bread (thankfully, Jeremy bought a local brand of white bread instead of something as narsty as Wonder bread) to make a few of these finger sandwiches. Kaweah had a grand time nibbling on a few of the crust trimmings. The dip goes beautifully with chips, crackers, bread, crudités.
finger sandwiches
dip with crudités
Knorr’s Spinach Dip
[print recipe]
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, drained and squeezed dry
1 pkg Knorr’s vegetable soup mix
1 small can water chestnuts, chopped
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
3 green onions, minced (optional)
Mix the sour cream and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Pour in the soup mix, water chestnuts, spinach, and green onions (optional). Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for at least four hours. Stir before serving.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Yummy! Here, you hold the dip while I pet the puppy. Okay…now it’s my turn. You hold the puppy while I eat the dip.
:)
Sounds, AND looks, yummy! Who’d of ever thunk it? I see this Knorr and now I know how to use it. Thanks, Jenzie.
P.S. Don’t you or Jeremy work too hard. THATS AN ORDER!
January 11th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
What a coincidence! My aunt is just back from the US and brought me several packs of this Knorr soup mix. She was adamant that I’d adore this dip and I have to admit that I’ve been very skeptical. Now, having seen your pictures, I’m really looking forward to trying it out next weekend. Thank you!
PS Gorgeous pup.
January 11th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I’d like one of each, please. Dip, dog and dude.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:04 am
It looks yummy! Mmmhhh, in sandwiches…
Cheers,
Rosa
January 12th, 2009 at 2:05 am
what an adorable pup! spinach dip?! i don’t know where on earth I can get frozen spinach here… or am i supposed to freeze them myself?
January 12th, 2009 at 2:13 am
I miss this, unfortunately Knorr’s veg soup mix (or any soup mix for that matter) isn’t available here. I have told myself many times that I have to work out a substitution but I still haven’t got around to it. Thanks for the reminder.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Do you know what kind of dog that is? It looks just like my rescue Daisy. Great pictures, as always!
January 12th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Jen, is that a German Shepherd puppy. We were going to get one (my sister breeds them) as a Christmas surprise – but Andrew had a relapse and we lost two dear people in our lives – so we’re waiting till things settle down.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:49 am
it seems like a great weekend to me. puppy love, cooking, taking photos…beautiful photos once again. hope you feel better soon!
ps: was that cookware store the Peppercorn Gourmet? I used to go all the time!
January 12th, 2009 at 6:50 am
ohh yes! i’ve always searched around for the perfect spinach dip and my sister makes this recipe all the time!!! i was totally unaware that that was what she used at all the get togethers! i didn’t realize it until we were both scrambling to finish making christmas eve dinner and the knorrs box is what she pulled out of her bag! go figure it would be so easy!
January 12th, 2009 at 7:07 am
I know this dip for a long time…its very winner hear…next time i will add water Chestnut…hmmm
January 12th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Like the dip but do not have vegetable soup mix. Can I use onion or mushroom soup mix instead.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I thought our mid-Michigan, mid-western family were the only people that LOVE this dip. I make it with the bigger bag of spinach as well and it tastes even more amazing. My great-aunt goes so far as to actually steam fresh spinach (too much energy for me) to make it. I made it twice this past Christmas season and it was eaten with reckless abandon by my hubby! I like to think that the mayo and sour cream badness is wiped out by the spinach goodness.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I’m totally not weird, but I bet that puppy smells so good. They always do!
Awesome sandwiches; never underestimate the power of plain white bread.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
What an adorable puppy! I have an aunt that makes a similar dip and serves it in a hollowed out loaf of bread… I’m seriously salivating as I type this.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:08 am
see post a puppy with food and all peeps talk about is the puppy.
I’m no different…
“ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh look at the puppppppppppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
January 12th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
dang it that is the cutest puppy!!! and oh, white bread dippy sandwiches. yum.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
oh my….cute puppy!!!!
nice dip too. never thought to put it in sandwiches. great idea :)
January 12th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I like the crunch those water chestnuts bring to the party.
Is that a Kyocera ceramic knife?
January 12th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Such a great snack! I will have to try the sandwich version next time!
January 12th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Dude, no way. That is MY spinach dip recipe. The one I’m not allowed to show up at parties without even tho I make all kinds of WAY better stuff. Mine, I tell you! :) It is da bomb tho. I love it with pumpernickel tho. Oh, and no water chestnuts. blech.
That puppy is just.to.much! gah! love!!!
January 12th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Yum – I never thought of spinach dip in sandwiches! Mmmmm… can’t wait to take those to my next party :)
And what a sweet pup! Adorable!
January 12th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Hey Jen,
I had to post something about this recipe since I made it yesterday and we finished all of it today. The irony is that I made this EXACT recipe and I have to say that the water chestnuts makes this dip!
Cute puppy!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Your puppy is so adorable, and I’m in love with your finger sandwiches!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
are you serious? knorr’s vegetable dip leads to your site? never would have guessed.
is that your new puppy?
January 13th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Jen I love this dip! I often slathered the dip on toast in my university days.
Are you getting a new puppy?
January 13th, 2009 at 11:47 am
(semi-long time reader; first time replier)
i love that knorr mix! unfortunately it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find anywhere in dallas. when i do happen to stumble across it again i should definitely try it in a sammich!
hope you get to feeling better!
January 13th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
If you are porting recipes from your other site could you/ would you PLEASE include your artichoke dip?
I have made it twice to rave reviews and I have had to go digging thru your archives on more then one occasion to find it.
Your collection of recipes has grown so much but those older recipes are still worthy of inclusion.
Did I miss something? Why does your shoulder and neck hurt? It you put it in a previous post… sorry for missing it. Either way, hope it feels better soon. Have you tried a heating pad? and while the location makes it tricky, soaking an achy muscle in warm/hot water and Epsom salt until water cools can draw out aches.
(sorry if I sound bossy, am a massage therapist and we like to fix aches and pains)
Puppies, kitties and babies- all cute- that is why they survive potty training!! ;)
January 13th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Apple cider vinegar on a hot watered pad works marvel on achy muscles. When I was weight lifting I would actually soak in bathtub with one cup added to the water.
Ok..you don’t need to hear us on this side of the screen scream about this adorable pup…Tippy already barked and Bailey already knocked my coffee cup down his tail was wagging so hard… :)
The dip? So making it this Sunday!! We are grazers on sundays so this is perfect!
January 13th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
when they say pups are a babe magnet, i think they were talking about that cutie patootie up there on the top!!
but yeah, back to the dip. i have a go-to artichoke dip but i’m tempted to try this out next time, maybe for a summer party with a a crisp white wine. yum.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Spinach dip sandwiches? What an idea! Glad you were able to get this recipe posted here, I am sure it is a must make!
January 14th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Margie – It’s a popular dip recipe, since the beginning of time.
Wendy – yes, I can see where you might be skeptical, but it really is good!
Kitt – ;)
Rosa – I like the sandwiches too!
Mrs. E – if you can’t find frozen spinach, you can certainly steam/boil your own spinach as long as you wind up with about 8 oz?
Joanne – yes, I often wonder why it’s so hard to find certain foods even in different regions of one country.
GSG – she’s a mutt :) Daisy must be a cutie.
Jenny – i’m not sure other than she has some pitt bull, perhaps lab, a little bit of everything. I’m sorry about the difficulties in your lives :(
Aran – yes!! I *love* Peppercorn :) So cool that you know my digs!
Natalie – ha ha, you’ve discovered her secret!
Sonya – it’s great with the water chestnuts, but also good without.
Trudy – hmmm, I don’t think it will be the same. It is specific to this mix (I’ve used the Spring Vegetable Soup Mix and that was awful).
Shannon – i agree that steaming fresh spinach is too much work for this dip. The beauty of it is how easy it is to make :)
Graeme – you are hilarious. That puppy definitely smelled … puppy-like. So cute!
Candace – it’s awesome with bread, no?
Kathleen – she’s even better in person (in dog?)
Kickpleat – that’s a great name for the sandwiches!
Jaime – perfect tea sandwich.
Nate – oh yeah, baby! My parents sent it to me (they have a bigger one). They even made me slice a tomato and take a picture for them ;) I love that knife – LOVE IT.
Kevin – absolutely!
Mollie – no crunchy for you? I think I’ve finally discovered the ONE food we disagree on ;) xxoo
Karyn – yes! See what folks do with the finger sandwiches! They seem hoity toity, but they’re so not :)
Shoshanna – awesome!
Asianmommy – well, not MY puppy :) But she is definitely cute as all get out.
Susan – nope, a friend’s pup, but she’s so much fun!
Maya – mmmm, toast sounds good too! No new puppies in my future at the moment :)
Minh – yes, it’s getting harder to find around here too. I have a “stash”. Now I’m starting to worry that it’s going to disappear :( Thanks!
Elizabeth – yes, that is slated to come over too (whenever I find an occasion to make it next). I’ve been icing my shoulder and that really helps reduce the inflammation and pain. Thanks for the tips though!
Tartelette – I have to avoid hot water soaks (hot tubs and the like) because of my lymphedema :( But it’s okay b/c hot water makes me angry anyway ;) Remember, I love the COLD. So funny that your pups can see a puppy pic. My dog won’t even look at the screen and I doubt she makes ANY connection to pictures of dogs on the computer. She’s not very smart though…
Mimi – it’s awesome in summer, yes!
Gretchen – it’s a very satisfying dip. Probably healthier than most b/c of the spinach!
January 15th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
This may be my favorite dip recipe, too. I tried it for the first time at a party about 12 years ago, and I became an instant convert. I also made a pig of myself at the dip bowl, but we won’t talk about that.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Madam Chow – ha ha ;) It’s a worthy favorite.
January 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
We had folk over at the weekend and I made the dip. It was fantastic. You were right. Only two packets left. We’re not using them for company. ;)
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Wendy – hee hee!! Yes, it’s okay to horde some for yourselves :)
January 27th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Hi, i don’t speak spanich,
hola quisera que me mandaran en español la receta del dip de vegetales mix,
con espinacas, pasenme los pasos para hacerlo.
gracias
besos
January 28th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Nancy – I’m very sorry, but my Spanish is not very good (or even functional). Perhaps you could ask a friend to help you?
April 7th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hey there!
Just found your site today, and I’m really enjoying browsing through all your recipes!
Just wanted to add that the Knorr spinach dip makes a FANTASTIC chicken salad by just adding chopped cooked chicken, and dried cranberries!!!! DELISH!
April 10th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Melanie – what a great suggestion – thanks :)
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 am
Someone asked if there is a different soup mix you can use. It’s funny my family has made this for YEARS and we always make a double batch :) but we have NEVER used the Knorr Vegetable Mix…we’ve always used Knorr Leek Soup Mix instead.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Becca – aw, cool! I have used a Spring vegetable soup mix before and it was not very good. But the leek soup – I could get on board with that. Thanks!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Original Spinach Dip was made with Knorr Leek Soup Mix. Much better tasting than with the vegetable soup mix.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
try crumbling smoked salmon onto the dip always a hit
February 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I have had spinach dip made my 2 people my Aunt & my Best friend. im trying to fiqure out the name of the bread used i know its a round bread! but the bread also makesx this dip and i know they both use the knorrs vegetable dip. could u post the breads name i am thinking it begind with a p..not pumpernickle though. thank you !!!! I LOVE UR SITE!! I am getting into Irish cooking if u have any recipies for any of the true Irish meals could u post. I havent had time to go through all your recipes ..We are expecting a snow storm of a foot or more so i am heading out to the store and used google to find the recipe and here u are. thanks again!!
Tracey :)
i didnt put a website but i am also on facebook if u are on there,otherwise i put my email.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Thank you so much i am getting ready to go get snacks and goodies for a storm we are expected to get (over a foot) and i want spinach dip it is friday night and i could eat a batch alone..I only know 2 people who make it and i LOVE it..my luck both are working and i cant get intouch with them..i am glad i know the correct recipe ,but i am searching for the bread that they both use i know its round and i want to say begins with a P not pumpernickle its a white bread. In my opinion the bread makes the dip especially when its nice and freas and soft.. oh my lord i need to hurry and get to the store i hope i can find the right bread cause my mouth is watering waiting to sit and relax and watch the snow on a Friday night with spinach dip…. THANK YOU SO MUCH! when i get home from the store i am going to explore more of your recipes…I am getting into Irish cooking and finding alot of Americanized i would say versions not real Irish Dished like Corned beef and cabbage i am finding Ham and cabbage which i love,but is not A true Irish meal. LOVE THE SITE.. You just made my day i am literally running to the store first to the spinach dip ingredients!! lol
March 17th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Need something to go with our snow crab tonight. Okay, we have round italian bread in the freezer (10-15 min in the 350 deg. oven and that will be ready) Have mayo, sour cream, frozen chopped spinach, and some green onions. Have a packet of onion onion dip mix and four frozen mini carrots but no water chestnuts. I’ll chop the carrots and green onions and start with a little less mayo and sour cream then the original recipe. I think this will work. Let you know.
March 17th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
The Spinach Dip was terrific. The changes, 3-17-2010 5:11 pm, made it great, just as the original recipe I remembered. It was interesting that our daughters, 11, 14, and 16 who usually only take a bite of anything spinach, tried it with some dipping cucumbers and round bread and there wasn’t a crumb left when all was finished.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Seems I am a little late on this discussion, the spinach dip sammies look inviting and am compelled to try those, but one of my favorite ways to enjoy spinach dip is to add a heaping pile on a freshly split piping hot Baked Potato! Awesome and delicious!!!
November 21st, 2010 at 10:19 am
My grocery store was out of the vegetable soup mix so I bought vegetable dip mix. I am assuming that this substitution will work fine.
December 15th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
i love to use stainless steel hot tubs at home because they require less maintennance and easy to maintain ~~’
November 4th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Somewhere, I saw this same recipe with an added step: sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and bake! I LOVE this recipe baked…
November 1st, 2012 at 3:04 am
Lipton onion soup(1 pkg) works beautifully. Add 1 can of
minced or chopped clams. Best with Maui Style potato chips
November 30th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I use a block of tofu in place of mayo and sour cream. Blend tofu with either 1/3 cup dill pickle juice or lemon juice. I also use the thawed spinach squeezed without cooking. In place of green onions we like 2 or 3 cloves of chopped garlic. I serve it in no oil whole wheat round bread bowl. Always a hit. Be sure to taste for amount of pickle or lemon juice and salt and pepper.