Steamed spinach is one of the easiest vegetables you can prepare. Fresh spinach cooks in just a few minutes and keeps its bright green color. It's a simple side dish that works well with fish, steak, or chicken.
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Place freshly washed spinach in a covered sauté pan while the leaves are still damp. Cook over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until wilted. Drain and season.
What You Need To Know
Spinach shrinks to almost nothing when you cook it. Plan on about 5 ounces of fresh spinach per person for a side dish. That's usually a full container from the store.
10-oz of raw spinach might seem like a lot but it cooks down to about 1 to 1½ cups of cooked spinach.
The pan will look very full at first, but spinach shrinks quickly as it cooks.
Fresh spinach cooks very quickly. It takes only 2 minutes for the leaves to soften and turn bright green.
Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts. Letting it cook too long can make it soft and watery.
Ingredients
10 ounces fresh raw spinach
How To Steam Spinach Without a Steamer Basket
You do not need a steamer basket to steam spinach. A sauté pan or large skillet with a lid works just as well.
- Rinse the spinach under cold running water, even if the package says it's pre-washed.
- Heat a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Place the spinach in the pan while the leaves are still wet from washing.
- Cover the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove the lid and use tongs to turn the leaves until fully wilted.
- Drain the spinach in a large colander, pressing gently with a spoon to remove excess water.
- Season to taste.
Steaming Frozen Spinach
Frozen spinach is blanched before freezing, so it is already partially cooked.
Thaw the spinach and squeeze out the excess water. Heat it in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes, then season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Parmesan cheese.
Seasonings
Steamed spinach tastes best with simple seasonings and a little fat to coat the leaves.
- Lemon: lemon juice or lemon zest
- Cheese: Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Fat: butter or extra-virgin olive oil
- Garlic: sautéed or roasted garlic
- Spice: Red pepper flakes
How Long To Steam Spinach
Spinach cooks very fast. Most fresh spinach is ready in 2 to 3 minutes.
If you boil spinach, it cooks in about the same amount of time but may absorb more water.
How To Use Steamed Spinach
Steamed spinach works well as a simple side dish, but it can also be used in other recipes.
- Side dish: Season the spinach with butter, salt, pepper, and lemon. It pairs well with fish, steak, chicken, or roasted meat.
- Eggs: Chop the spinach and stir it into scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas.
- Pasta: Toss steamed spinach with pasta, olive oil, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Soups: Add a handful of steamed spinach to vegetable soup, chicken soup, or bean soup.
- Salads: Let the spinach cool slightly, then toss it with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese.
- Casseroles: Chopped spinach works well in baked dishes like lasagna, quiche, or stuffed shells.
Storage
Store leftover steamed spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave.
What Goes With Steamed Spinach?
Steamed spinach is a simple side dish that pairs well with many proteins. The mild flavor works with chicken, meat, fish, and eggs.
- Chicken: Lemon Basil Roasted Chicken or Cast Iron Chicken Breasts
- Beef: NY Strip Steak or Filet Mignon
- Lamb: Seared Baby Lamb Chops or Baked Lamb Chops
- Fish: Pan Seared Snapper or Salmon With Coconut Aminos
- Eggs: Scrambled Eggs, Steak and Cheese Omelet
FAQ
Yes. Place spinach in a covered pan with a small amount of water or use the moisture on freshly washed leaves. The steam will wilt the spinach in just a few minutes.
If it says "triple washed," it usually does not need additional washing, but we still rinse it quickly.
Yes. Frozen spinach can be heated directly in a pan or thawed first. It will have a softer texture than fresh spinach.
Yes. Boil spinach in salted water for about 1 to 2 minutes until wilted, then drain well before serving.
Yes. Spinach is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and iron. Steaming keeps the leaves tender while helping preserve many of these nutrients.
How To Steam Spinach
Ingredients
- 10 oz fresh spinach
Instructions
- Rinse the spinach under cold running water, even if the package says it is pre-washed.
- Heat a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Place the spinach in the pan while the leaves are still wet from washing. The water clinging to the leaves creates steam as the pan heats.
- Cover the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the lid and use tongs to turn the leaves until fully wilted.
- Drain the spinach in a large colander, pressing gently with a spoon to remove excess water.
- Season to taste before serving.
Notes
- Lemon juice or lemon zest
- Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Butter or extra-virgin olive oil
- Sautéed or roasted garlic
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
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