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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic Recipe

    Published: Aug 12, 2018 · Updated: Jul 29, 2020 Author: Sharon Rigsby

    Jump to Recipe
    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic Pinterest pin

    This recipe for Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic is a ten-minute wonder!  It’s the best and fastest way to serve your family a delicious and healthy vegetable side dish that even your pickiest eaters will love.

    Sauteed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic in a bowl with a pat of melted butter on top.

    Lately, I’ve been posting recipes for so many rich and decadent dishes, that I decided it’s high time I post a recipe for this healthy and fantastic side dish, simple Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic.

    Is spinach good for you?

    Depending on how old you are, I’m sure that you remember that Popeye made himself super strong from eating spinach. But did you also know that it’s listed at the top of the rankings of the world’s healthiest vegetables?

    That’s because it’s an excellent source of Vitamin K, Manganese, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Vitamins B2, B6, B1, and C. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber and protein.

    I confess that I didn’t always like spinach.  I remember in grade school stuffing it in my empty milk carton, so the nuns wouldn’t see that I didn’t eat it. Of course, now I feel a little silly, but back then, no way would I touch it. 

    This simple, fresh spinach recipe doesn’t come close to tasting like the canned spinach they served in the school cafeteria way back then.

    Here’s what you will need:

    You will need these ingredients: baby spinach leaves, olive oil, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, unsalted butter, and lemon zest and juice.

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic ingredients

    Here’s how to make it:

    Rinse the spinach leaves under cold running water, and allow them to dry. You can use a salad spinner to speed up this step.

    In a very large pot over low heat, add the olive oil and grated garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, continually stirring to ensure your garlic doesn’t burn.

    Sautéing garlic in a pan for Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic

    Add the spinach, and kosher salt and pepper. Use tongs and toss well until the spinach leaves are coated with the garlic and oil. Cover and cook for two minutes.

    Cooking baby spinach for Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic

    Uncover the pot, stir well, and turn the heat to high. Continue cooking and stirring the spinach for another minute or so, or until the spinach is wilted and bright green.

    To serve, top with a pat of unsalted butter, a pinch of lemon zest, and a drizzle of lemon juice.

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic garnished with lemons and butter

    More side dish recipes:

    Not only is this sautéed spinach recipe quick and easy. But, it’s also the very definition of healthy perfection and a fantastic side dish!

    If you are looking for other side dishes, you might be interested in these popular choices: Southern Green Beans and New Potatoes, Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Easy Baked Fresh Tomato Casserole.

    Need even more ideas, click on the link to check out all of my side dish recipes!

    ★ If you make this recipe, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. I’d love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones. I hope you’ll come back soon!

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    Sauteed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic in a bowl with a pat of melted butter on top.

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic

    Sharon Rigsby
    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic is a ten-minute wonder!  It's the best and fastest way to serve your family a delicious and healthy side dish, which even your pickiest eaters will love.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 6 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 95 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds baby spinach leaves
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 6 cloves garlic small cloves, grated using a zester
    • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • Lemon zest and juice

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse your spinach leaves really well under cold running water, and allow them to dry. You can use a salad spinner to speed up this step.
    • In a very large pot over low heat, add the olive oil and grated garlic. Cook for about 1 minute stirring constantly to ensure your garlic doesn't burn.
    • Add the spinach, and kosher salt, and pepper and using tongs, toss well until the spinach leaves are coated with the garlic and oil. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.
    • Uncover the pot, stir well, and turn the heat to high. Continue cooking and stirring the spinach for another minute or so, or until the spinach is wilted and bright green.
    • To serve, top with a pat of unsalted butter, a pinch of lemon zest, and a drizzle of lemon juice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 536mgPotassium: 947mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 16000IUVitamin C: 65.2mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 4.1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Carolyn

      January 20, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Looks so yummy, I have not sautéed fresh spinach in such a long time but we both love it.

      Carolyn

      Reply
    2. Maud Marie Santucci

      January 20, 2016 at 9:14 am

      5 stars
      Hi, Sharon – Love all of your recipes. You came to the rescue today. I had a bag of spinach in the fridge today and couldn’t decide what to do with it. (It was BOGO at Publix last week and we already had spinach salad.) Anyway, we will have sautéed spinach for supper tonight. Sounds like you are enjoying retirement – isn’t it great?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        January 20, 2016 at 9:50 am

        Thanks Maud Marie! Yes, I’m loving retirement and having a lot of fun with my blog! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes! I miss you!

        Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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