If you've ever had Spinach Artichoke Dip from Joey's restaurant, you'll understand my need to make a copycat. And although it hasn't been on their menu for a number of years, I just couldn't stop thinking about it. But it's not just a copycat, I've created a lighter, WW friendly, and healthier version of their classic appetizer, this Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe (with Greek yogurt)!
This spinach and artichoke dip is popular all year 'round, but is ideal for a guilt-free game day, movie night, game night, or bringing along to a potluck. It's the perfect party appetizer and no one will even suspect it's healthy, lighter, or Weight Watchers Friendly. I just know it's going to become one of your favorite appetizers! This recipe inspired my Spinach Artichoke Casserole.
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My kids are my key guinea pigs (aka recipe testers). And since I always get my kids' opinions (they have very discerning palates) I try to have some fun with it. For this recipe, I ran a blind taste test with my daughter.
I actually blindfolded her and had her taste the original Joey's copycat recipe I created, then the lightened-up version. She picked the lightened-up version as her favorite! I was a little surprised, but very pleased. This girl knows her dips!
🥘 Ingredients
This healthy spinach artichoke dip has no mayo and no cream cheese (therefore less fat) and uses non-fat sour cream and Greek yogurt instead. For this recipe, you'll need:
- butter * I use unsalted
- all-purpose flour
- onion
- garlic
- salt
- Greek yogurt (non-fat)
- light Parmesan cheese (or non-fat)
- sour cream (non-fat)
- light Monterey Jack cheese
- lemon juice
- Tabasco sauce
- Frozen spinach (frozen) * you can use fresh spinach instead, but you'll need double the amount
- canned or marinated artichoke hearts *the jarred is more flavorful, as it's usually marinated
- agave
- milk (*I use 1%)
*See recipe card for quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Spinach- you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen, but you'll need to double the amount and cook it, drain it and cool it (it's definitely more work!)
- Agave - you can use liquid honey as a substitute, but you'll need to double the amount (and account for the WW points)
- Butter - you can substitute salted butter, but skip the salt in the recipe
- Cheese - you could substitute mozzarella cheese for the Monterey Jack cheese in a pinch, but I don't recommend it
- Greek yogurt - you could use full-fat Greek yogurt if you're not concerned about the calories/WW points
- Spicier - add red pepper flakes
- Milk - you could use skim milk or 2% milk instead
🔪 Instructions
What's different about this hot spinach artichoke dip is that you don't have to bake it. It's a very easy appetizer and quick to make on the stovetop, so it can be made ahead and reheated in either the microwave or on the stovetop.
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, with onion, garlic, and salt, Cook and stir until the onions become translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add flour and whisk until the flour is fully incorporated.
- Over low heat, whisk in the milk, one-third at a time, making sure the mixture (roux) is smooth before adding the remainder.
- Once all of the milk has been added, keep whisking to ensure a smooth creamy texture.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Remove the pot from the heat/element, add the remaining ingredients, and mix gently but thoroughly for best results/
- Return to the element and heat over low until warmed through.
💭What to serve with Spinach Artichoke Dip with Greek Yogurt
- mini pita pockets or pita chips
- fresh veggies - cucumbers, carrot sticks, celery, bell peppers
- water crackers
- tortilla chips
🍽Equipment
For this recipe, you'll need a medium sized saucepan and a whisk (affiliate links). A chip and dip serving platter is the ideal way to serve this.
🌡️Storing
Fridge: Store this creamy dip in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do NOT freeze it!
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for about 45 seconds-2 minutes (depending on your microwave) or reheat on stovetop on low, while stirring frequently, until warmed through.
👪 Serving size
This healthy artichoke dip is 8 servings and they are decent-sized servings (about ⅓ of a cup). I've seen some other recipes out there that are WW friendly, but claim to feed 15 people (for the same amount of dip)
Get real people?! Who out there actually considers a couple of tablespoons a serving? Oh and compared to the original traditional spinach artichoke dip, it's so much lower! According to My Fitness Pal the original Joey's Restaurant (Canada) Spinach and Artichoke dip is 1000 calories for 1 bowl with chips!
🔢WW Points
This copycat spinach artichoke dip is 5 WW points for ⅓ cup.
💭 Top tip
If you have leftover dip, then be sure to try this "Spinach artichoke twice baked potatoes" I happened to have both leftover baked potatoes and leftover healthy spinach and artichoke dip, so this was perfect (and delicious)!
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the potato flesh into a large mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork. Add the leftover dip. Divide the mixture evenly and spoon it back into the potato shells. Sprinkle with a little Monterey Jack cheese (or you could use another type of cheese if you prefer.)
- Cook the potatoes in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve warm.
And if you like these, you'll love my Caesar Twice Baked Potatoes with leftover Caesar salad dressing!
Creating a copycat recipe is much more challenging than simply creating a recipe from scratch so you know it's worth it when I'm willing to put in that level of effort! I'm sure you'll find this Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip worth it too. And if you like this Copycat recipe, you may like my other copycat recipes:
- IHOP pancake recipe - Harvest Grain & Nut (Copycat)
- Ginger Beef Recipe (Calgary Ginger beef restaurant copycat)
- Grilled Steak Salad with Feta and Clamato Dressing (Moxie's Copycat)
- Monterey Chicken - Bonanza Copycat
- Moxie’s Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Mayo Dip (copycat) (shown below)
- Pistachio Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)
- Boo Batter Ice Cream (no churn) Cold Stone Copycat
- Dill Pickle Pizza (Calgary Stampede Copycat)
- No Churn Butterbeer Ice Cream (Calgary Stampede Copycat)
So if you're looking for healthy artichoke and spinach dip recipes, then you'll love this delicious dip!
And if you're looking for additional WW friendly healthy dips, check out my Cowboy Caviar Dip! It's 1 WW point for ¼ cup. And see more WW friendly dips at the bottom of this post!
📋 Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip (with Greek yogurt) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoon butter
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup 1% milk
- 1 cup non- fat Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup light grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon non-fat sour cream
- ¼ cup light grated Monterey cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 10 drops Tabasco sauce
- 300 g -pkg of frozen spinach thawed and squeezed to remove excess water
- 1 cup artichokes, canned or jarred drained and coarsely chopped (rinse them if you are using canned)
- 1 tsp agave syrup *can substitute 2 teaspoon honey
Garnish (optional)
- additional parmesan cheese, sprinkled
- lemon zest
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, with onion, garlic and salt, Cook and stir until the onions become translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add flour and whisk until the flour is fully incorporated.
- Over low heat, whisk in the milk, one third at a time, making sure the mixture (roux) is smooth before adding the remainder. Once all of the milk has been added, keep whisking to ensure a smooth creamy texture.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove pot from the heat, add remaining ingredients, mix gently but thoroughly.
- Return to element and heat over low until warmed through.
Garnish (optional)
- I love to grate a little lemon zest on it for color and for a bit of zing!
- Serve with warm tortilla chips, cracker and/or veggies. Enjoy!
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