Warm, creamy vegan spinach artichoke dip uses no mayo, cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream. But even though it's dairy free, it's just as decadent. Promise!
This spinach-artichoke dip is a vegan version of a family favorite from my childhood. Let me tell you a story.
Related: 20 crowd-pleasing vegan party food recipes
When I was growing up, my mom had a friend who we can just call Betty. Whenever our family would get together with Betty's, she made this super delicious artichoke dip.
It was sort of her thing, and my sister and I loved it. Mom asked Betty a few times if she'd share her recipe, but she told us it was an old family secret.
Then one evening at supper I was looking on the side of the Kraft Parmesan cheese container, and there it was: a baked artichoke dip recipe! We passed the container around the table, and we were pretty sure that we'd discovered Betty's "family secret."
We made a batch and it tasted exactly like hers! Of course, next time we all got together, mom brought a pan with her. Busted!
Making the dip
Since going vegan, I've missed that artichoke dip, and this vegan spinach-artichoke dip recipe is me trying to recreate that comfort food from my childhood.
I texted my mom to get the non-vegan recipe - it was heavy on the mayo and, of course, the shakey Parmesan cheese - then veganized it. I'm thrilled with how it came out!
Instead of mayo, I created a flavorful garlic cashew cream sauce to give this dip its a creaminess. The cashew cream comes together quickly in the blender.
To replace the shakey Parm, I just substituted nutritional yeast.
The original dip didn't have spinach, but I think the greens make it a lot prettier and maybe even more delicious than the dip I remember from childhood. This recipe uses thawed frozen spinach, because it's easy and has the perfect texture.
Make sure that you drain that spinach well! Frozen spinach contains a lot of water. I like to actually "wring" it out in a colander. You don't want a watery dip!
Variations
If you don't like artichoke (or don't like spinach), you can customize this dip to suit your tastes. If you eliminate one of the veggies, just double the amount of the other, and you're in business.
This recipe is very forgiving, so don't be shy about mixing things up, if that's your thing!
How to serve and store it
Serve this up with your favorite chips for dipping. I love it with bagel chips, whole wheat crackers, or pita chips. You want a pretty sturdy chip, because the baked dip is nice and thick.
You can also use this as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. This was my sister's and my favorite way to use the leftovers the next day, when mom used to make this for parties.
I also use this dip as a sauce for my Spinach Artichoke Pasta. It's a super simple one-pot meal that's quick and easy to make!
The baked dip will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. If your 8x8" pan has a snap-on lid, you can just store it right in the pan. Otherwise, transfer to a lidded container.
Vegan spinach artichoke dip recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews - soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- ½ cup water
- 3 cloves garlic
- juice of ½ lemon
- 9 ounce bag frozen spinach - thawed and drained
- 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts - drained and chopped
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Combine cashews, water, garlic, and lemon juice in your blender and puree until very smooth.
- In an 8x8" oven-safe dish, fold the spinach, artichoke hearts, and nooch into the cashew cream. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the dip – uncovered on the top oven rack – for 20-30 minutes to get a nice crust on the top.
Camille Lawrence
I have honestly been using this recipe for years now. Thanksgiving, Super bowls, Christmas, etc it's literally perfect for any occasion. I should have posted a comment sooner, but this truly is a recipe I have saved for anything
Becky Striepe
Oh my gosh, Camille, what a delight this comment was to read! Thank you so much. I'm glad that this dip is a fave.
Laurie
Can I use fresh spinach
Becky Striepe
You can! Just cook enough that you end up with the same amount, cooked, and make sure to wring out the excess liquid. You will need a ton of fresh spinach, since it cooks down so much. I'd guess 4-6 cups fresh.
Angie
Just made this tonight for my New Year’s Eve at home and it so delicious!!!
Becky Striepe
That is so wonderful! Happy new year!
Diane Foidart
Definitely want to make this for my vegan friends and for me - I don't eat dairy. Not sure I'll tolerate the nutritional yeast? Can it be omitted?
Becky Striepe
You can try. The nooch thickens the sauce a bit, so it will be thinner without it. It should still taste good, though.
konekoo
I actually prefer cashew kream, Great for all those holiday parties..!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Elly
Can you assemble this a day ahead and keep in the fridge until baking?
Becky Striepe
Sure! I'd definitely pull it out about an hour before, so it can come closer to room temp. I'm always nervous about putting a fridge-cold glass pan into a hot oven.
Rachel
Is there a reason for using frozen spinach? If I use fresh, should I still use 9 oz? Thanks!
Becky Striepe
I have not made this with fresh, but I imagine that it would work fine, as long as you cook it before adding to the dip. You'd need a lot more than 9 ounces, though, since spinach loses so much volume during cooking.
Tanya
Made this tonight for a gathering with non-vegans. Used collard greens instead of spinach (what I had) and it was a hit!! Thank you!
Becky Striepe
Ooh I'm glad to hear it was good with collards! One of my favorite green leafies!