The $3 Trader Joe’s Dip I Always Have in My Freezer

Allison Russo
Allison Russo
Allison is a Brooklyn-based writer, eater, and blogger. When she's not hunting for the best veggie burger in NYC, she's probably Instagramming, trying to make someone laugh, or defending the Oxford comma.
published Dec 5, 2019
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Credit: Diana Liang

When I go out to eat, it’s hard for me to resist any menu item that resembles spinach-artichoke dip. Served in a bread bowl? Yes, please! Available on top of a platter of nachos? Sign me up! I love this creamy, cheesy dip because it’s something I’d never make at home. And it gives me the joy of eating a bowl of melty cheese without feeling too bogged down (thanks, spinach!). 

Credit: Allison Russo

And now, instead of eating my favorite dip exclusively at restaurants, I can “make” it in the comfort of my own kitchen. Thanks to Trader Joe’s, $3 buys me a microwavable dip that has served as a meal replacement more often than I’d like to admit. 

Nutritional value aside, this dip is a dream for entertaining. It usually passes for homemade, and I’ve been asked for the recipe several times. With the holiday season in full swing, I always keep a box of this dip in my freezer. It’s the perfect last-minute appetizer for potlucks and spontaneous get-togethers — after you defrost it and transfer it to a fancy-ish bowl, that is. You can reheat it when you get to your destination, but this dip tastes great at room temperature, too.

This spinach-artichoke dip is so versatile because it tastes good on almost anything. I usually already have something in my pantry I can pair it with, whether it’s a salty snack (like pita chips and pretzel thins) or crudité (try carrot sticks and other root veggies!).

To make the dip a little more gourmet, I’ll finish it under the broiler. After defrosting the dip in the microwave, I stir it up, transfer it to an oven-safe dish, cover the top with Parmesan cheese, and broil it until it bubbles. Want to transform this low-maintenance appetizer into an Instagram-worthy dish? Set the bowl of dip in the center of a platter, and surround it with a rainbow of savory snacks. We’re thinking toasted pita wedges, blue corn tortilla chips, sugar snap peas, sliced bell peppers, and raw zucchini.

Do you have a Trader Joe’s go-to that you always keep on hand this time of year? Discuss in the comments below!

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Entertaining & Gathering
Freezer Friendly