Wilted Baby Spinach With Garlic

Sauteed spinach
Rita Maas/Photolibrary/Getty Images
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Total: 8 mins
Servings: 2 servings

Greens can be such a special treat and they can be made in a variety of ways. Baby Spinach used here can be cooked, boiled, baked, or eaten raw. 

In this particular recipe, you get a meal jam-packed full of nutrients and simplicity from a small grocery list. For instance, baby spinach contains a high amount of iron, protein, and many others. It is also low in calories which can be helpful if you are looking for low calorie yet delicious ingredients.

Another delectable ingredient comes in the form of garlic. Baby spinach gets treated to a light sauté with lots of garlic in this ultra-quick recipe. Cooking for a crowd? This recipe is easily multiplied.

When multiplying it is almost impossible to mess up. With very forgiving ingredients the most important part is to keep your ratios the same, not to have too much of one ingredient. A large amount of garlic may be too much. 

Ingredients

  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • Lemon wedges, for serving, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Place the spinach in a colander. Rinse with cool water, but do not dry.

  2. Warm the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

  3. When the pan is at a medium heat level, add the garlic and sauté until highly fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be cautious not to let the pan get too hot. If garlic is burned it is important to start over as the taste will become very bitter.

  4. Add the spinach to the skillet and sauté just until the leaves lose their volume and wilt. You should notice they start to turn a deep bright green color. This process may take about 2 to 3 minutes.

  5. Once you have reached perfect firmness and color of the leaves, remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the spinach to a serving dish.

  6. This dish is best garnished with a slice of fresh lemon. The aroma of citrus can enhance the earthy flavor of the savory ingredients. There are several toppings you can choose from including homemade bacon bits, pine nuts, or if you are feeling adventurous, a cheese such as feta. 

Recipe Tip

  • Most ingredients can be sourced at your local grocery store. Fresh ingredients are always most recommended, but pre-minced garlic can be substituted for fresh cloves in this specific recipe.

Recipe Variation

  • Feel free to substitute spinach with other greens such as kale, chard collard greens, and even mustard greens. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
80 Calories
7g Fat
4g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 80
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 57mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 21mg 104%
Calcium 76mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 408mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)