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 says
Can this be made without baking?
Dreena says
That’s a good Q, Sharon! I’ve always baked it, just b/c I like it warmed through. But, there isn’t any reason it couldn’t be eaten raw. Nothing in there needs to be cooked per se. You might want to use a little less milk so that it’s thicker without cooking (the baking thickens it). Hope that helps!
Diane Turner says
You mentioned that you used the Blendtec. I am about to buy a high powered blender. Do you recommend it over the Vitamix?
Dreena says
Hi Diane, yes, I love the Blendtec. I’ve tried the Vitamix, and while it’s a powerful blender I find the Blendtec has some advantages: the design of the jug with a wider base so no tamper tool needed, easier to clean (b/c of same wide base), and the twister jar is awesome for small batch purees and things like salad dressings. The digital controls are also very nice. Hope that helps!
Ellen says
I made this for a Christmas party for my husband’s work. I’d forgotten that they have a “Cook Out”, a contest to see which dishes are the favorites. Well, this dip came in second in the Appetizer category!! I was so pleased! and then as we were leaving the party, someone came up to me to ask me more about how it was vegan “how do you get the creamy part?”!
Dreena says
What a treat to read this! Love it, and also knowing people were curious about it – thanks for sharing the vegan food love, Ellen!
Suzanne says
This looks great! We have been looking for a GF DF artichoke dip for the holidays.
Mar says
I do not miss dairy at all. But I do miss this wonderful manicotti dish my best friend used to make when we were teenagers. Either manicotti or cannelloni, not sure I know the difference.
I had been wondering about your other artichoke dip, if it could be used as the filling, and now you have this wonderful new recipe.
I wonder if it would need to be “firmer” to use as a filling, maybe by adding other chopped up veggies (mushrooms or broccoli?). Any ideas how to make it work as a filling?
Thanks for everything you do, you are such an inspiration!