Creamy Fresh Spinach & Mushroom Dip
Delight your taste buds with this luscious Creamy Fresh Spinach & Mushroom Dip, made with vibrant fresh spinach and sautéed mushrooms for a rich and satisfying flavor. Unlike dips made with frozen spinach, this recipe highlights the freshness and texture of spinach, making it an ideal dish for gatherings, party appetizers, or family game nights. With a base of cream cheese and tangy sour cream, enhanced by crispy bacon and aromatic garlic, this dip is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Prep time includes chopping fresh spinach, and be sure to plan ahead—this dip requires chilling time to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
4 slices (Cooked and crumbled)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Fresh mushrooms
2 cups (Sliced thinly)
Fresh onion
1/3 cup (Finely chopped)
Garlic
2 cloves (Minced)
Red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Fresh spinach
1 (10 ounce) bag (Washed, dried, and chopped finely to measure 3 cups of volume)
Neufchatel cheese or cream cheese
3 ounces (Softened)
Low-fat sour cream or regular sour cream
1/2 cup (N/A)
Skim milk
2 tablespoons (Plus extra if needed for consistency)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add the sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, and finely chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are translucent.
3
Stir in the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and black pepper until well combined.
4
Add the finely chopped spinach to the skillet and cook while stirring for about 30 seconds, just until the spinach wilts.
5
Quickly add the softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until fully melted and integrated into the mixture. Remove the skillet from heat immediately.
6
In a separate bowl, combine the low-fat sour cream, 2 tablespoons of skim milk, and the crumbled bacon. Mix well.
7
Pour the warm spinach mixture into the sour cream mixture and combine thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed.
8
Transfer the dip into a serving bowl, cover it, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 36 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
9
Before serving, check the consistency of the dip. If you prefer a thinner texture, add a little extra skim milk until desired consistency is reached.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Fresh Spinach & Mushroom Dip?
It is a rich, cold appetizer made with fresh spinach, sauteed mushrooms, bacon, and a creamy base of cream cheese and sour cream.
Does this recipe use fresh or frozen spinach?
This recipe specifically uses fresh spinach to highlight its texture and vibrant flavor.
How much spinach do I need?
You will need one 10-ounce bag of fresh spinach, which should be chopped finely to measure about 3 cups.
Can I use regular cream cheese?
Yes, you can use either 3 ounces of Neufchatel cheese or regular cream cheese, as long as it is softened.
Is there bacon in this dip?
Yes, the recipe includes 4 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon for added flavor and texture.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of fresh mushrooms, sliced thinly.
How long do I need to saute the mushrooms?
Saute the mushrooms, garlic, and onion for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until they are tender.
How long does the spinach need to cook?
The fresh spinach only needs to be cooked for about 30 seconds, just until it wilts.
Does this dip need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it must be refrigerated for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to properly meld.
How long can the dip stay in the refrigerator?
The dip can be chilled for up to 36 hours before serving.
What type of mustard is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Can I make this dip thinner?
Yes, if you prefer a thinner consistency, you can stir in extra skim milk before serving.
Is this a hot or cold dip?
This is a cold dip that is served chilled after being refrigerated.
What type of vinegar is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Yes, you can use either low-fat sour cream or regular sour cream.
How much garlic is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 2 cloves of minced garlic.
How much onion is needed?
You will need 1/3 cup of finely chopped fresh onion.
What is the first step in making the dip?
The first step is heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
When do I add the cream cheese?
Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet immediately after the spinach has wilted, stirring until melted.
Is there milk in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 tablespoons of skim milk in the base mixture.
Should I wash the spinach?
Yes, the spinach should be washed, dried, and then finely chopped.
Is this dip vegetarian?
As written, it contains bacon, but you can omit the bacon to make it a vegetarian dip.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients in this Creamy Fresh Spinach & Mushroom Dip.
What should I serve with this dip?
It is perfect for crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables at a party or family gathering.
How do I prepare the bacon?
The bacon should be cooked until crispy and then crumbled before being added to the sour cream mixture.
Do I need to season the dip with salt?
The recipe uses bacon and Dijon mustard for saltiness, but you can add black pepper for extra seasoning.
What is the total preparation time?
While the cook time is short, you must account for chopping the fresh spinach and at least 4 hours of chilling time.
Can I substitute olive oil?
You can use butter or another neutral cooking oil if olive oil is unavailable.
When should I remove the skillet from the heat?
Remove the skillet from the heat immediately after the cream cheese is melted and integrated.
How do I mix the cold and warm components?
Pour the warm spinach and mushroom mixture into the bowl containing the sour cream, milk, and bacon, then combine thoroughly.