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The Best Sauteed Spinach

Name: The Best Sauteed Spinach
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 9 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium white onion (chopped); 4 teaspoons minced garlic (see note); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 8 oz fresh spinach; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Published: Jan 25, 2019 · Modified: Oct 11, 2022 by Anna 80 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Sauteed Spinach is made with fresh spinach sauteed with garlic and onions in olive oil and butter. It's the best, easiest and fastest spinach side dish that is healthy and low-carb diet friendly!

Side clos up shot of sauteed spinach with onion in large white pan.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients:
How do you sauté fresh spinach?
Best tips!
Variations:
Recipe FAQs:
More recipes with spinach:
The Best Sauteed Spinach

Why You'll Love This Recipe

One of my favorite side dishes that I can quickly whip up when short on time or when I need a healthy vegetable side, is this Sautéed Spinach. It's flavorful and a favorite with the whole family, even the kiddos like it!

Sautéed onion and garlic in olive oil and butter mixture are the perfect flavor base for fresh spinach. It's a healthy and low-carb option for any meal! This is hands-down the best sautéed spinach recipe you will make. It's healthy, delicious, and goes with any main course. You can also use it in grain bowls with cooked quinoa, rice, black beans, tofu, etc.

Ingredients:

Fresh spinach, onion, garlic cloves, butter, olive oil and salt in bowls on a white board.

spinach: fresh is best, you can buy it in bunches or pre-washed and bagged;
olive oil and butter: my favorite combo for sauteing vegetables;
onion: helps build the flavor of the dish;
garlic: perfect aromatic to pair with spinach; use fresh cloves or minced in a jar;
soy sauce: the secret ingredient that adds umami flavor and takes the whole dish to a new level.

How do you sauté fresh spinach?

Start by heating up olive oil in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and saute until fragrant and the onion is almost caramelized.
Stir in soy sauce and fresh spinach. Cook stirring often until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Overhead shot of sauteed onion and fresh spinach in pan.

Best tips!

Let the onion caramelize. It will give the spinach dish a deeper, richer flavor. The addition of soy sauce deepens the flavor.
Do not skimp on garlic! I love this dish quite garlicky and use up to 4 teaspoons of minced garlic.
Use fresh spinach for the best result.
You can roughly chop spinach leaves or use baby spinach.

Variations:

Add bacon: cook bacon until crispy, then add onion and garlic. Stir in spinach and saute until wilted.
Top seared chicken breast with spinach and cheese and bake for a flavorful and delicious quick meal!
Mix with cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, and red onion for a delicious grain salad.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I use frozen spinach to make this recipe?

I do not recommend using frozen spinach in this recipe. You have to thaw it before using, and it will contain too much water and splatter once added to the onion in the skillet.

Should I remove the stems from spinach?

This is a question of preference. I don't mind the stems so I always leave them on. Less work! If you don't like the stems, simply cut them off or snip off with kitchen scissors.

How to make sautéed spinach not bitter?

From my experience, using fresh spinach prevents bitterness in the dish. Frozen spinach, after thawing, has a distinct flavor and once sautéed tends to be quite bitter. Use fresh, if you can.

Overhead shot of sauteed spinach with onion in white skillet.

More recipes with spinach:

If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!