This dip has been a mainstay of every holiday and gathering in my family for as long as I can remember. And more than that — it’s the thing I look forward to the most. See, it’s not just any Spinach Dip, it’s my mom’s Spinach Dip and her one simple trick makes it the best I’ve ever had. I’ve brought this to many parties and every single time people ask, “Where did you get this?!” or “How did you make this?!” It’s truly a standout. And luckily, the secret to it is really simple.

Now, I might get in trouble with my family for sharing this with you… but I figure that the more people that have this kind of joy in their life, the better. So, what’s the big secret?

Leek soup mix.

That’s it. I think the Knorr’s official recipe for Spinach Dip uses their vegetable soup mix and that’s what most people use. (One year at Thanksgiving, my sister in law didn’t know better and did. We were aghast.) But the leek mix actually has a far superior flavor profile when it comes to spinach dip. It’s well rounded and savory without being too oniony. The rest of it? Well it’s just five total ingredients:

What Ingredients Do You Need for Mom’s Cold Spinach Dip?

• A package of Knorr’s leek soup mix. (Must be leek!!)
• Frozen chopped spinach.
• Sour cream and mayonnaise.
• A can of sliced water chestnuts, for crunch.

And a sourdough bread round, for serving. Because it’s a little fancier and a little more fun.

How Do You Make Mom’s Cold Spinach Dip?

The key is to get as much liquid as you can out of the spinach first. Thaw your spinach and squeeze out as much liquid as you possibly can, then add it to a bowl along with the leek soup mix, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Drain and roughly chop your water chestnuts, then stir those in too. Cover and chill it for at least an hour, though overnight is even better and lets all those flavors really come together. It takes a little time for the dried bits in the soup mix to soften completely, so don’t rush it.

What Should I Serve it With?

Bread is the obvious answer. (And there’s something extra delightful about tearing apart the bread bowl and eating it after the actual dip has been scraped clean.) But other options are crackers, pita chips, veggies… it’s all delicious!