This quick and easy sauteed spinach recipe is a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. Made with fresh spinach, garlic, and a touch of olive oil, it’s the perfect side dish for a balanced and healthy diet.
Want to learn the secret to perfectly sauteed spinach every time? Look no further! This article will provide step-by-step instructions and tips for achieving the perfect sauteed spinach dish. This is one of our favorite side dishes and one we make frequently. I love to serve it with New York strip steak with herb butter, grilled chicken, or roasted chicken.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Olive oil: extra virgin is best
- Garlic: freshly minced is full of aroma and flavor
- Baby spinach: Any raw spinach can be sautéed. I prefer to use baby spinach. It will be delicious and not slimy as long as it is cooked over medium to medium-high heat and cooked just until it is wilted.
How to saute spinach
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
First, heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Do not brown it. Add the spinach and cover, cooking for about 1 minute. Then remove the lid and stir, bringing the cooked spinach up and uncooked spinach closer to the bottom of the pan.
Cover and cook for another minute. Then, remove the lid and increase the heat just a touch. Cook until the spinach is wilted, tossing to combine. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips
- Do not brown the garlic. When browned, garlic becomes bitter. For the best flavor, cook just until fragrant, stirring almost constantly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
- Freeze thoroughly cooled spinach in freezer zipper bags for up to 2 months. Frozen spinach does not reheat well. It may be too broken down and a little slimy to stand on its own. But it works well in dips, soups, pasta, quiche, and creamed spinach.
Recipe Variations
- Add a splash of citrus: squeeze lemon, lime, or orange juice into the fully sautéed spinach.
- Meat: add crisp bacon or crisp pancetta for a heartier side dish.
- Vegetables: add onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, or shallots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry the spinach before you start, or use prewashed spinach. You don’t want extra moisture in the skillet. Remove any thick, tough stems. Sauté the spinach over medium to medium-high heat so it cooks quickly, with most of the moisture evaporating. Cook just until wilted, and be prepared to serve quickly. Use a slotted spoon to move the spinach to a serving dish and for serving.
In addition to salt and freshly ground black pepper, other spices include ginger, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, and dill.
More Spinach Recipe
Sautéed Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 20 ounces baby spinach leaves
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Do not brown it.
- Add the spinach and cover, cooking for about 1 minute. Remove the lid and stir, bringing the cooked spinach up and the uncooked spinach closer to the bottom of the pan.
- Cover and cook for 1 minute. Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until wilted, tossing to combine.
- Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Do not brown the garlic. When browned, garlic becomes bitter. For the best flavor, cook just until fragrant, stirring almost constantly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
- Freeze thoroughly cooled spinach in freezer zipper bags for up to 2 months. Frozen spinach does not reheat well. It may be too broken down and a little slimy to stand on its own. But it works well in dips, soups, pasta, quiche, and creamed spinach.
Nutrition
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Harper Edison
This sauteed spinach is really tasty. Great tips for awesome sauteed spinach. I love this as a side dish when I make fillet steaks at home.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Harper. I am so glad that you liked it!
Tatum
A simple yet delicious side dish that goes with everything! Thanks for this easy recipe!
Victoria Noonan
I’ve been searching for the perfect sautéed spinach recipe, and it looks like I’ve found it! Thanks for sharing your go-to recipe! I am going to make it with your New York Strip Steak recipe this weekend.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Victoria! Enjoy!
Josie H
What a simple, delicious and healthy side dish! It is my new favorite. Thank you for your recipe – this is ideal for Easter.
Beth Pierce
Especially for a healthy meal.
Lainey
This was my first time hearing about cooking garlic the right way. I tried out this recipe last night and I think it’s safe to say it may be a new go-to!! I served it with your lemon pepper cod recipe and steamed rice. It was a delicious and healthy meal.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you love it, Lainey!
Christine
This sauteed spinach was so easy, good, and healthy. I will save this recipe and make it often. You can’t go wrong with this side dish.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Christine! Enjoy!
Caroline
I made your Sautéed Spinach to accompany our dinner last night, and it was so good! I appreciated the tips on how to properly season it.
Beth Pierce
Glad that you liked it, Caroline!
Reese J
This one brought me back! We used to make this when I was a kid. So tasty!
Audrey Smalls
This is absolutely one of my favorite side dishes! I have mastered this, thanks to your awesome tips! You are the best.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Audrey!
Beatrice Rhodes
This sauteed spinach was so simple yet so flavorful, and the garlic really brought it to the next level. A great way to get in those greens. Will be making this again soon!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beatrice! I am so glad that you liked it!
Whitney
This easy sautéed spinach was incredibly delicious! So quick to prepare and packed with flavor. A perfect, healthy side dish that went well with everything. Definitely keeping this recipe handy!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Whitney!
Evan
I love your recipe for sauteed spinach. I saute it all the time for my scrambled eggs, but I’ve never really added much in the way of flavor to it. This is my new go-to!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Evan! So glad that you liked it!
Sofia Marks
I love how simple this recipe is! It turned out flavorful and I really like the texture! Thanks for all the great tips.
Ginny H
Love this – it paired perfectly with our stuffed chicken. So good! Thanks for all the great tips!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Ginny!
Mila R
Very good tips! My fav one was about garlic browning, I didn’t know that! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mila! Enjoy the spinach!
Neely Moldovan
We saute a lot of veggies! I love doing this with spinach and mixing it into pasta!