Easy Sautéed Spinach Recipe (Ready in Minutes!)
This easy Sautéed Spinach recipe turns a bag of fresh spinach into a delicious side dish on the stovetop in less than 10 minutes! It’s perfect for busy weeknights, holiday dinners, and grain bowls, and you can stir it into other recipes like spinach artichoke dip too. It’s a simple, budget-friendly, healthy side dish that will be ready before the rest of dinner is.
Easy Sautéed Spinach
As far as recipes go, this recipe is about as simple as it gets, and I love that it’s ready so fast.
Cooking spinach can feel a little funny the first time you do it. You’ll pile in what looks like way too much, and a few minutes later you’ll be wondering where it all went! That’s completely normal, and it’s why this recipe starts with a whole bag of spinach.
Even then, a 5-ounce bag only makes a single serving, so just double it (or more!) when you’re feeding the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s ready in minutes. Spinach cooks so quickly that you can start it when the rest of dinner is almost done. That makes it a super easy side dish for busy weeknights, when nobody has time for anything fussy.
It only takes simple ingredients. You’ll pick up a bag of spinach at the grocery store, and you’ll probably already have everything else in your kitchen. It’s a budget-friendly way to get a green vegetable on the table.
It goes with just about everything. Serve it next to your favorite main dishes, spoon it over grain bowls, or stir it into another recipe like spinach artichoke dip. It’s a flavor-packed side dish that works with whatever you’ve got going on that night.
Tools Needed
- Medium skillet
- Tongs or a spatula
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients, and you’re welcome to swap things around to suit your family.
- Fresh spinach – I’ve used both baby spinach and regular spinach, and they both turned out perfect, so use whichever you like best!
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic – the jarred kind is fine, or you can mince 2 garlic cloves
- Salt – regular table salt or kosher salt will both work
- Black pepper
Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sautéed Spinach
Don’t let the short ingredient list fool you… This simple method gives you great flavor, and you really can’t mess it up!
- Set a skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic right away, while the pan is still cool.
- Wait for the pan to warm up and the oil to thin out, then add a handful of spinach.
- Keep adding spinach a handful at a time. As the spinach leaves shrink, you’ll have room for more, so just keep going until the whole bag is in the pan.
- Use tongs to gently move the spinach around so it doesn’t burn. You want to keep it moving without beating it up.
- Sprinkle on the salt and pepper when the spinach has cooked down by about half, which takes about 3 minutes.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach is bright green and has the texture you like. Move it to a serving plate and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Start with a cool pan. A hot pan will cook the garlic too fast, so a slower start gives you the best results. Some recipes call for medium-high heat, but medium heat is all you need here.
- Wash and dry your spinach well. Give it a rinse in cold water, then dry it in a salad spinner or with a clean towel. A little water clinging to the leaves is no big deal, but too much excess water will leave you with soggy spinach.
- Trim mature spinach. Regular spinach sometimes has tough stems, so pull off any thick stems before cooking. Baby spinach is ready to go.
- Give it room. Raw spinach takes up a lot of space! To double the recipe, use a very large skillet or a Dutch oven.
- Leave the liquid behind. Spinach cooks down and releases water, so use tongs or a slotted spoon to lift it out and leave any excess liquid in the bottom of the skillet.
- Taste before serving. Your spinach may want a little additional salt or a squeeze of lemon at the end of cooking. Either will enhance the flavor!
Variations
This is one of those recipes you can change up however you like. Here are a few easy ideas:
- Lemon: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking to brighten it up.
- Spicy: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Cheesy: Top it with freshly-grated Parmesan right before serving.
- Sesame: Swap the olive oil for sesame oil. Just keep in mind that sesame oil is strong, so a little goes a long way.
- Extra seasoning: Add garlic powder or any other seasoning your family loves.
Serving Suggestions
Sautéed spinach goes with so many main dishes! Try it with Meatloaf, Cornflake Chicken, or Grilled Chicken Thighs.
You can also fill out the plate with simple veggies like baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, or corn.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover spinach in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm it up in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave, just until it’s heated through.
I don’t recommend freezing this one, so plan on enjoying it within those 3 days.
FAQ
Can I use baby spinach or regular spinach?
Absolutely! I’ve made this with both and they turned out perfect, so use your favorite. You’ll just want to remove any tough stems from regular spinach first.
How do I keep sautéed spinach from getting watery?
Dry the spinach well before cooking and leave any liquid behind in the pan when you serve it. Tongs or a slotted spoon will do the job.
Is sautéed spinach healthy?
Yes! Spinach is an iron-rich green, and with just a little bit of olive oil and seasoning, this is a healthy side dish you can feel good about serving your family.
Why does spinach make my teeth feel chalky?
That’s the oxalic acid that’s naturally found in spinach.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s at its best right out of the skillet. Since it only takes a few minutes to make, I’d cook it right before dinner if you can.
Enjoy Your Sautéed Spinach!
I hope this becomes one of your go-to sides on those nights when you need something quick and good on the table. Season it however you like, and tell me your favorite way to serve it!
Tried this recipe? Please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating – it helps me grow my blog, and I’d be so grateful!
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Easy Sautéed Spinach Recipe
Description
This easy sautéed spinach is a quick, healthy single-serving side dish that’s ready in minutes and goes with just about any meal.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Put a medium skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic while the pan is still cool.
- Once the pan begins to warm and the oil thins, add the spinach one handful at a time, adding more as it shrinks and makes room.
- Gently move the spinach around the pan so it doesn’t burn, being careful not to beat it up.
- After about 3 minutes, when the spinach has cooked down by about half, sprinkle it with the salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 more minutes, until it reaches the texture you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- Keep the pan from getting too hot when you add the oil and garlic. A slower cook gives you the best results.
-
This recipe makes a single serving. To feed more people, multiply the recipe and use a very large skillet or a Dutch oven.
- I’ve used both baby spinach and regular spinach, and they both turned out perfect, so use your favorite.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste. You can also add others, like garlic powder.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 0.6 g
- Sodium: 694 mg
- Fat: 14.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
- Fiber: 3.3 g
- Protein: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
