Get ready to taste the BEST vegan artichoke spinach dip!
There are many vegan artichoke dip recipes online. Now there are many online. Because I originally published this recipe in 2012, and it’s been copied, modified, and otherwise replicated on numerous sites.
But this… this is the original, and it is not just the best vegan artichoke dip, it’s the best artichoke dip you’ll try.
Because without the dairy and processed cream cheese products, it isn’t sickly. It’s delicious and creamy, with full flavor, but not overly rich.
In fact, readers tell me often that this dip is the first to be devoured at potlucks – by everyone!
Why This Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip is the Best (and the OG!)
I developed this new vegan artichoke spinach dip because I wanted to create a creamy, full-bodied vegan artichoke spinach dip.
The trick was creating one using only whole foods and no added substitutes (such as vegan mayonnaise) and no oil.
When I first posted this idea on facebook it received a LOT of comments. See, I had this idea of doing a dip like the bread bowl dips you find at potlucks and summer parties, but without (of course) the wallop of dairy products.
How to Make Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip
This dip recipe comes together with 9 ingredients, a blender, and quickly heating up the dish in the oven.
To make it dairy free and vegan, I use cashews, unsweetened almond milk, lemon juice, cloves of garlic, sea salt, dry ground mustard, ground black pepper, packed spinach leaves, and of course…
How could I forget about artichokes! They are one of my very favorite plant-powered ingredients.
I especially love the frozen artichokes from Trader Joe’s. They taste much fresher than canned, and you can bypass the steps of draining/rinsing that comes along with the jarred/marinated artichokes.
Of course, if you cannot find frozen artichokes, by all means use canned. Just rinse and drain.
Vegan Artichoke Dip FAQ
No, most artichoke dips are made with dairy, and usually with a minimal amount of artichokes.
Storebought spinach artichoke dip is usually made with mayonnaise, dairy cheese, and oils. It is high in fat and sodium and is considered one of the ‘worst’ appetizers nutritionally.
However, my vegan spinach artichoke dip is made with whole plant foods, and is a healthy dip!
Most versions are made with a combination of cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan and/or mozzarella cheese, cooked spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, and seasonings.
For storebought dips, you can opt to heat up or serve cold. With my healthy artichoke spinach dip, it’s best heated – though I’ve had readers tell me they enjoy it cold as well! Note: This vegan artichoke spinach dip tastes best warm, so I bake it for a short time. Not too long, or the spinach turns off-color. Just long enough to warm it through.
Want more dip recipes? Check out this post of best vegan dips.
x Dreena
Simple Steps to The OG Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip Perfection
Creamy Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw cashews unsoaked
- 3/4 cup plain unsweetened non-dairy milk I like almond or soy, but your choice
- 2 1/2 – 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1-2 medium-large cloves garlic I typically use 1 to make it family-friendly; use less/more to taste
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp dry ground mustard
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups frozen artichoke hearts partially thawed (helps for pulsing in blender)
- 2 cups loosely packed spinach leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- In a blender, first add cashews, milk, lemon juice (I like the full 3 tbsp for tanginess), garlic, salt, dry mustard, and pepper.
- Blend until very smooth. (If using Blendtec (purrrrr, meow!) or other high-powered blender, this will only take a minute or so. If using a standard blender, keep blending until very smooth.
- Add artichokes and spinach and just PULSE through. Do not fully blend, keep some chunky texture!
- Transfer to an oven-proof baking dish, and bake for 17-20 minutes. Remove, let cool for about 4-5 minutes, and serve.
Do you enjoy making vegan dips? What artichoke dishes do you like to make?
This post was originally published in June 2012 and updated for December 2022.
Sharon Boon says
just found your website while looking for a vegan artichoke dip. I tried yours. Its fabulous. Also quite interesting as i used fresh artichoke (first time i’ve cooked one!). I need it a little creamier for me (i only made a 1/2 batch so that could be a little bit of the issue; and spinach doesn’t always cooperate in being measured…). Keep the yummy & healthy recipes coming!
River (Wing It Vegan) says
I made your dip and it was delicious! I ate it straight out of the bowl with a fork! 🙂
Dreena says
awesome – that’s how I like it best too. 😉
Kendrah says
I LOVE spin/artichoke dip and haven’t had any since last year when I found I was allergic to dairy, spinach, among other things. I am going to try this for a party I’m hosting. Any recommendations for subbing the mustard and spinach? I was going to just eliminate them – would it completely change the taste? I’ve heard of wasabi as a mustard substitute and kale for spinach but not sure how that would fit with this recipe…any thoughts?
Dreena says
Kendrah, you don’t actually taste the mustard, it adds a background flavor but you don’t eat it and think “oh, mustard in here”… just so you know, but you can omit it if you like. I wouldn’t opt for kale in this dip – it’s a little too chewy and I think the cruciferous flavor would be too prominent. And, I definitely wouldn’t add in wasabi as it’s too hot. Are you not able to eat spinach? You could omit it altogether and just go with the artichokes, and adding a little fresh parsley and/or basil would be nice too, maybe 1/3 cup.
nathalie says
Hi there, i just ate your spinach-cashew-mixture with boiled potatoes and cauliflower, and it was delicious!!
i made some adjustments: i just the can-water from the artichoke instead of veg-milk, and i also add yeast for flavor and nutrition. i also ate it cold. sure i will make it again.
thanks for sharing!
something similar i often make, as bread-spread, dip or with a hot meal: rucola-lettuce instead of spinach, walnuts instead of cashew, oil instead of veg-milk, no artichoke, eat cold
Kendrah says
What is riccolo lettuce? Can I find it at a typical grocery store? Thanks!
Kendrah says
*Rucola*…auto correct!!
Dreena says
I haven’t seen it in my local health food grocery store – are you looking for it for a recipe?
AJ says
Looks great! I’m excited to make it. What do you dip in it? I’m new to being vegan and I’m still having a hard time always finding bread and crackers.
Dreena says
Hi AJ, sorry so late to reply. Anything you like, really. Veggies, whole-grain breads/pita breads, tortilla chips… and you can also use it as a spread in sandwiches, based on pizza, layer in pasta dishes (ex: lasagana)!