Tender fresh spinach is quickly sautéed with fragrant garlic and olive oil, then finished with bright lemon juice and a touch of red pepper. It's a simple, flavorful vegetable side that comes together in just 10 minutes and pairs well with chicken, fish, steak, pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Estimated nutrition
Per serving
Based on 2 servings
- Calories
- 175 kcal
- Protein
- 4.2 g
- Carbs
- 6.3 g
- Fat
- 14.4 g
- Fiber
- 3.3 g
Actual values can vary with brands, amounts, and preparation.
Ingredients
Loading serving controls…Spinach
- 300 g fresh spinach, thoroughly washed and dried
Garlic Lemon Seasoning
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 0.3 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 0.1 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
- 0.5 tsp finely grated lemon zest, optional
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Adjust this recipe around your kitchen and preferences.
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the spinach. Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and dry it well. Excess water will cause it to steam rather than sauté. If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out as much water as possible.
- 2
Sauté the garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 30–45 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic become dark brown.
- 3
Add the spinach. Add the spinach by the handful, tossing as each addition begins to wilt. Continue cooking for about 2–3 minutes, until all the spinach is wilted and tender. Avoid overcooking it.
- 4
Season. Add the kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Toss well to distribute the seasoning.
- 5
Finish with lemon. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the lemon juice and optional lemon zest and toss everything together. Taste and adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed.
- 6
Serve immediately. Transfer to a serving dish and serve while warm.
Notes
- Alternative: You can use 200 g frozen spinach, thawed and very well squeezed. The texture will be softer and less voluminous than fresh spinach.
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