Spinach Yogurt Dip (Borani) (2024)

Creamy spinach yogurt dip that is incredibly tasty, easy and healthy. This Persian dip, borani esfenaj is topped with aromatic sizzled mint, fried onions and walnuts. A crowd pleaser for sure!

Persian Spinach Dip

Borani is a creamy Persian dip, that combines thick drained yogurt and vegetables. Popular among these Persian dips, is borani esfenaj (spinach borani).

Spinach and dips are both hot favorites. You combine the two and it becomes an evergreen choice.

This Persian rendition of the healthy spinach dip is quiet different. It is an easy recipe, but uses layers of flavors and textures.

It is pretty healthy and does not need tons of cheese, mayo and rich ingredients to make it taste awesome.

Ingredients for Spinach Yogurt Dip

Here are some notes on the ingredients. Check recipe card for the quantities.

• Spinach: We saute regular fresh spinach and chop it up, to make the dip scoop-able. You can also use baby spinach and blanch it to retain color (see recipe notes), but I find that can be a bit stringy and not easy to scoop.
• Greek Yogurt: Whole milk yogurt makes this creamy, but reduced fat is okay. If using non-dairy yogurt, make sure it is creamy.
• Onions: I prefer shallots for flavor and smaller slices. If using regular onion, quarter and slice, to make it easy to scoop.
• Walnuts: Toasting enhances flavor and makes them crisp.
• Garlic: Combining freshly grated garlic with lemon juice and letting it stand, will lower the pungency.
• Dried Mint: Gives the classic Persian taste. To make it at home follow this tutorial.
• Saffron: Again for that classic touch, but is optional. You could use turmeric instead of saffron, but add it to the mint oil.
• Other Ingredients: lemon Juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper.

How To Make Healthy Spinach Dip

Below is a brief overview. Full recipe is at the end of blog post.

1. Prep — Toast walnuts. Combine garlic with lemon juice. Cut shallots or onions and spinach.
2. Cook — Fry onions and saute spinach. Alternately blanch baby spinach.
3. Combine — To garlic mixture, add spinach, half onions, yogurt, half walnuts, pepper and stir. Adjust seasoning per taste.
4. Garnish — Top with mint oil, fried onions, walnuts and saffron water.

Pro Tips

• Use whole milk yogurt and/or enhance flavor with feta cheese.
• Cut vegetables in uniform and small size.
• Sautéed spinach is softer and flavorful. Blanched spinach is more green but can be stringy or chewy in texture.
• Do squeeze out the juices from spinach as well as possible. The drained juices can be used in other dishes.

How To Serve It

This dip is best served at room temperature or cold. Do not heat it as the yogurt will curdle. Here are some serving suggestions for you.

• With crispy and sturdy chips or crackers (compliments the dip very well). I loved it with Stacy’s pita chips.
• Try with flatbreads — lavash, pita bread or skillet flatbread.
• Dip with veggies — carrot or celery sticks are a refreshing, light and low-carb option.
• Leftovers can be used as a sandwich filling.

Spinach Dip Variations

Persian spinach dip is vegetarian, low carb, gluten free, egg free, soy free and grain free. Here are few variations for you to try.

• Red Chili flakes: Replace dried mint with red chili flakes, oregano and grated garlic when making the sizzled oil topping.
• Feta or Parmesan Cheese: Process some feta cheese into a whipped feta and stir it into yogurt. Or add a dash of very finely grated parmesan cheese.
• Sour Cream, Creme Fraiche or Labneh: Stir in any of these into the yogurt for a party dip.
• Vegan and Dairy Free: Try creamy dairy-free yogurt for the dip.
• Low Sodium: Reduce salt and use more lemon juice and herbs for flavor.

Meal Prep

• Make Ahead — Saute the spinach or make the dip one day ahead of serving. The flavors will meld together well. If blanching spinach, you can do that up to three days ahead.
• Storage — This Greek yogurt spinach dip will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, but the spinach color will darken. Stir before serving. It is not freezer friendly.

Is Spinach Dip Healthy?

Most popular spinach dips are loaded with cheese and mayonnaise. But this recipe is a great way to sneak in vegetables into a creamy dip. Here we have three nutrition stars — spinach, yogurt and walnuts.

Spinach is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium and folic acid. Regular consumption of spinach may supporthealth benefitssuch as better diabetes management, lower blood pressure, bone health, intestinal health, cancer prevention, good hair and skin.

Greek yogurtis an excellent source of probiotics, high quality protein and calcium. And is associated with prevention of osteoporosis, lowering of high blood pressure, contribution to gut health and fullness. Be sure to buy yogurt with live and active cultures.

Walnutsprovide healthy fats —monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fiber, protein and minerals such as — copper, manganese, magnesium. They are a great plant source of omega-3 fatty acids.

More Healthy Dips

Other interesting dips and sauces to try on the blog.

• Pomegranate Salsa Dip —Something different to enjoy with cream cheese and crackers.
• Mast-O-Musir —Use this Persian yogurt dip like Tzatziki.
• Zaalouk — A popular Moroccan eggplant dip.
• Butter Bean Mash Dip —The tasty but less known cousin of hummus.

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