Sautéed Spinach

Discover my preferred Sautéed Spinach recipe! It’s a luscious blend of silky greens infused with garlic and enhanced by a zesty touch of lemon. This green goodness is a celebration of simplicity and taste that serves as a delicious side dish or an addition to a wide range of dishes such as pasta, omelets, or soups and stews.

Marinated Mushrooms, Honey-Glazed Roasted Carrots, and sautéed spinach are the epitome of exceptional side dishes. These sides can create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that elevate any meal to a memorable culinary experience.

What I Love About This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: It’s a fast and easy side dish to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customizable: You can easily customize sautéed spinach with various seasonings, like adding a dash of lemon juice, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Flavorful: The quick sautéing process with garlic and olive oil enhances the spinach’s natural flavors, resulting in a delicious side dish. It pairs perfectly with simple main dishes such as Oven Roasted Turkey Breast or Traditional Meatloaf.

How to Make Sautéed Spinach

1. Rinse. Rinse the spinach leaves in cold water and then delicately pat dry with a paper towel or spin in a salad spinner.
2. Saute. Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and pour in the olive oil. Once the oil has heated add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute, just before it begins to brown.
3. Simmer. Add the spinach, salt, and pepper to the pot and toss to combine with the garlic. Cover the pot with a lid and saute for about 1 minute. Remove the lid and turn the heat up to high. Cook, stirring continuously, for 1 maybe 2 minutes more. This spinach should be just wilted.
4. Garnish. Remove the spinach from the heat and add the butter and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Toss to coat before serving.

Recipe Variations

• Add some mix-ins. For more flavor, you can add some diced onions, crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, diced ham, or even mushrooms.
• Sprinkle cheese on top. Adding parmesan cheese will bring a delicious taste.

Storage and Freezing Instructions:

• Storage instructions: Store your spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will stay fresh for up to four days.
• Freezing information: Spoon the sautéed spinach into the compartments of an ice cube tray. Allow them to freeze until solid. Afterward, transfer these frozen spinach cubes into a freezer-safe, airtight container, where they will stay fresh for up to three months. When it’s time to use them, conveniently thaw the cubes in the refrigerator as required.

Sautéed Spinach Recipe

Explore the sautéed spinach recipe that tops my list! It's a luxurious medley of velvety greens kissed with the essence of garlic and uplifted by a zing of lemon. This vibrant creation is a tribute to the beauty of simplicity and flavor, making it the ideal accompaniment to various dishes, from pasta and omelets to soups and stews.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Total Time: 9 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 122kcal

Author: Aimee Mars

Equipment

• ▢
  Large Pot or skillet

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 lb Baby Spinach Leaves
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• ▢ 6 Garlic Cloves minced
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Coarse Salt
• ▢ 3/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

• Rinse the spinach leaves in cold water and then delicately pat dry with a paper towel or spin in a salad spinner.
• Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and pour in the olive oil. Once the oil has heated add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute, just before it begins to brown.
• Add the spinach, salt, and pepper to the pot and toss to combine with the garlic. Cover the pot with a lid and saute for about 1 minute. Remove the lid and turn the heat up to high. Cook, stirring continuously, for 1 maybe 2 minutes more.
• Remove the spinach from the heat and add the butter and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Toss to coat before serving.

Notes

• Storage instructions: Store your spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will stay fresh for up to four days.
• Freezing information: Spoon the sautéed spinach into the compartments of an ice cube tray. Allow them to freeze until solid. Afterward, transfer these frozen spinach cubes into a freezer-safe, airtight container, where they will stay fresh for up to three months. When it’s time to use them, conveniently thaw the cubes in the refrigerator as required.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 1254mg | Potassium: 651mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10721IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3mg

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This post was originally posted on January 29th, 2020, updated on October 25th, 2022, and then updated again in October 2023.