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Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Vegan spinach and artichoke dip gives you that thick, creamy, cheesy scoop with zero dairy. It comes together on the stovetop, so it’s ready for game day, holiday parties, or a snack board. Keep reading for the one step that keeps it from turning watery.

A white oval dish filled with creamy spinach artichoke dip sits on a wooden cutting board, with a beige cloth partially visible underneath. The dip is thick and speckled with herbs and red pepper flakes.

Why This Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe Works

This is not just spinach stirred into a cashew sauce. Most top recipes bake their dip, but this one never goes in the oven. It heats on the stovetop and pairs with lighter dippers like low-carb chips and veggies.

The big move is cooking the frozen spinach until every bit of liquid is gone. I do the same with the artichoke hearts, so the cashew cream stays thick instead of runny. Blending the soaked cashews until completely smooth is what makes the texture rich and creamy.

Love a good party dip? Try my Beef Con Queso Dip or Slow Cooker Rotel Dip next. Planning a full spread? My 16 Low Calorie Game Day Snacks roundup has plenty more ideas.

Recipe Summary

  • 🍽️ Course: Appetizer
  • ⏱️ Cooking Time: 25 minutes, plus 2 hours soaking
  • 🍴 Servings: 16
  • 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory and garlicky, with a cheesy note from nutritional yeast.
  • 🍚 Best Served With: Low-carb tortilla chips, carrot and celery sticks, or toasted seeded bread.
  • 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes. It keeps up to 7 days in the fridge and reheats on the stove.

Ingredients

Eight small bowls on a light surface contain spinach, almond milk, cornflour, nutritional yeast, artichoke hearts, salt, garlic and onion powder, and cashews. Each bowl is labeled with its respective ingredient.
  • Raw cashews: Soak them in boiled water for 2 hours first. Soaked cashews blend into a smooth cream that replaces cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Nutritional yeast: This brings the cheesy flavor without any dairy. Add more or less to taste.
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, and salt: These season the cashew cream from the inside, so every bite tastes balanced.
  • Unsweetened plain almond milk: It thins the cashews into a creamy sauce. Skip sweetened or vanilla versions, since they clash with the garlic.
  • Frozen spinach: You don’t need to thaw it first. It goes straight into the skillet.
  • Canned artichoke hearts: Drain them well and chop them roughly so you get tender bites throughout.
  • Optional extras: Cornstarch thickens the dip if you like it extra thick. Red pepper flakes add a little heat on top.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Spinach and Artichoke Dip

  • Using sweetened almond milk: Even a little sweetness throws off the savory flavor. Stick with unsweetened plain almond milk.
  • Skipping the cashew soak: Dry cashews won’t blend smooth. You’ll end up with a gritty dip instead of a creamy one.
  • Leaving liquid in the spinach: Frozen spinach holds a lot of water. Keep stirring until the pan looks dry, or the dip will turn runny.

How to Make Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip

You’ll blend a quick cashew cream, then stir it into cooked spinach and artichokes. Everything happens in a food processor and one skillet.

A food processor contains raw cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and seasonings. A hand holds a white pitcher, pouring liquid—likely water or milk—into the processor. The items are on a light-colored wooden surface.

Step 1: Load the food processor. Rinse and drain the soaked cashews. Add them to a food processor with the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and almond milk.

A food processor bowl containing a smooth, beige mixture, likely a batter or sauce, with some residue on the blade and sides. The processor is on a white, textured surface.

Step 2: Blend the cashew cream. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Any grainy bits left here will show up in the finished dip.

A skillet contains chopped spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, and a large portion of creamy mixture, being stirred together with a wooden spoon. The ingredients are not yet fully mixed.

Step 3: Add the artichokes and cashew cream. Cook the frozen spinach in a skillet over medium heat until thawed and cooked down. Add the chopped artichoke hearts, then spoon the cashew cream over the top.

A skillet filled with a creamy spinach and artichoke mixture being stirred with a wooden spoon, set on a light-colored surface.

Step 4: Stir it all together. Stir until the spinach and artichokes are fully coated in the cashew cream. Keep it over the heat until it starts to bubble.

A bowl of spinach dip on a wooden board, surrounded by a bowl of toasted bread slices, a bottle of olive oil, a bowl of cracked pepper, a bowl of grated cheese, and spinach leaves on a light gray table.

Step 5: Transfer and garnish. Spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Top with red pepper flakes and a pinch of nutritional yeast, then serve warm.

Tips for Making Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

  • Season at the end: Taste the dip once everything is combined. Add more nutritional yeast or salt if it needs a boost.
  • Thicken it on the stove: Want a thicker scoop? Stir in the cornstarch while the dip is still over the heat.
  • Finish with a garnish: A pinch of red pepper flakes and nutritional yeast on top adds color and a little kick.
A hand holds a piece of toasted bread dipped into a serving of creamy spinach artichoke dip.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve this dip warm with my Low-Carb Tortilla Chips for that classic chip-and-dip crunch. Carrot and celery sticks are great too. They’re crisp, fresh, and sturdy enough to scoop.
  • For something heartier, toast strips of seeded bread until golden. My Homemade Crackers also hold up well to a thick dip.
  • Building a bigger appetizer spread? Add a tray of Crispy Cauliflower Bites next to the dip. Guests can dunk those too.
A white bowl filled with creamy spinach dip sits on a wooden board. A bottle of olive oil and a beige cloth are nearby on a light gray surface. Some dip is sprinkled with red pepper flakes.

Recipe FAQs

Do I really need to soak the cashews?

Yes. Soaking softens the cashews so they blend completely smooth. That’s what makes the dip so creamy.

Do I need to thaw the spinach first?

No. Add it to the skillet frozen and stir until it thaws and the liquid cooks off.

What can I dip into it?

Low-carb tortilla chips, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and toasted bread all work. Pick sturdy dippers, since this dip is thick.

A white oval bowl filled with a creamy spinach dip, garnished with lemon zest and red pepper flakes, sits on a wooden board with a neutral cloth underneath.

Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Silky cashew cream stands in for the dairy in this vegan spinach and artichoke dip. Everything finishes in one skillet on the stovetop, with no baking. Scoop it up warm with low-carb chips, veggie sticks, or toasted bread.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Soak Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 32 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 16 1/4 Cup
Calories 95 kcal

Equipment

  • Heatproof bowl (for soaking the cashews)
  • Strainer or colander
  • Food Processor
  • Large Skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board and knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups raw cashews soaked in boiled water for 2 hours
  • 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
  • 16 ounces frozen spinach
  • 15 oz artichoke hearts drained and roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch optional, for a thicker dip
  • Red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Drain the cashews and give them a quick rinse. Put them in a food processor with the almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
  • Process until silky and lump-free, stopping to scrape the bowl a few times.
  • Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the frozen spinach. Keep stirring until it’s thawed and the pan looks dry.
  • Mix in the chopped artichoke hearts and let any extra liquid cook away. Pour in the cashew cream and stir well.
  • Warm the dip until it bubbles gently, then pull it off the heat. For a thicker texture, mix in the cornstarch before taking it off the stove.
  • Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Artichokes: Use hearts canned in water or brine, not marinated in oil. Marinated hearts add extra oil and change the flavor.
  • Variation: Swap part of the cashews for silken tofu for a lighter base. This version hasn’t been tested, so the dip may come out softer.
  • Cornstarch: Some recipes call this cornflour. It’s the same ingredient, so use whichever you have.

Disclaimer:

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 287mgPotassium: 219mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3324IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip
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