Spinach dip question

[nurseangel]

I have been happily making spinach dip for years, the kind made with dry vegetable soup mix.  Today, I was reading the recipe on the back of the soup mix packet and saw something I'd never noticed before. The directions said to cook, cool and drain the spinach before adding it to the mix.  I've always just thawed, rinsed and drained the frozen spinach straight from the box.  I've never cooked it.  And I almost always read the recipe by habit, even if it's something I know by heart.  

Have I been skipping an important step for years?  I've never cooked the spinach and everyone loves the dip.

If you make spinach dip, do you cook the spinach? 

 

[Willowy]

Hmm. . .I've only made spinach dip myself once and I don't think I did. Frozen spinach is already boiled/blanched.

This recipe doesn't say to heat it up first: https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/183/original-ranch-spinach-dip/

 

[Winchester]

I don't cook it. I use frozen spinach, well-thawed and well-squeezed in old hand towels for dip. You don't have to cook it. I would guess if you used fresh spinach, then you'd have to cook it first? But as Willowy said, frozen spinach is already cooked. No need.

 

[sivyaleah]

I haven't made it in ages but my two sisters do for holidays.  Both never cook the frozen first.  It's always yummy.

 

[denice]

I had never thought of cooking it, I thought it was already cooked.  I haven't used it in ages.  When the kids were little I used to add it to some things as a way to sneak in more vegetables.

 

[Draco]

I don't cook my frozen spinach- it cooks a hit anyway in the crock pot

 

[MoochNNoodles]

I'm adding spinach dip to my grocery list. Thanks! 

The only reason I can see for cooking would be warm spinach helping things blend?  I suppose it would still be cold but thawed if you thaw it in the refrigerator.  I don't think it's necessary either!

 

[nurseangel]

Thanks, all!  You know, I am convinced the folks at Knorr changed the recipe.  

 

[natalie_ca]

The recipe on the package is using fresh spinach, which you would need to cook first. If you are using frozen, just thaw and add because it's already cooked, hence the severely wilted look

 

[bbdoll22]

Nope, I never have cooked the spinach only thawed and squeezed dry.
I made this Knorr dip this past christmas and for the first time I noticed they stated frozen chopped spinach, cooked, and squeezed dry.
I swear knorr changed the recipe also.

 

[AbbysMom]

The only spinach dip I've ever made is a spinach and artichoke. You end up sauteing the spinach with garlic, etc. and then add cream cheese, parmesan and a few other things, so I guess I do cook it a bit.