Stir Fried Spinach

Stir fried spinach with garlic comes together quickly in around 12 minutes, a great addition to just about any meal begging for a green on the side!

Why this recipe works

Stir fried spinach doesn’t need a ton of bells and whistles to shine. As it cooks, spinach releases a subtle natural sweetness that cancels out the bitterness you taste when eaten raw. Add a little garlic into the mix and you have an insanely versatile side that’s tender, savory, and easily customizable.

Speaking of customizable, you can incorporate shallots or onions (like we do in our satueed spinach recipe) or even toss in chopped bacon or mushrooms for a boost of flavor. This recipe is an excellent base for all kinds of tasty concoctions. We love a veggie that can wear many hats.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

SPINACH – You can use either baby spinach or mature spinach. I recommend trimming mature spinach stems before cooking. Spinach shrinks considerably when cooked, so keep that in mind. Feel free to double this recipe if needed.

SEASONING – We believe in seasoning with your heart around here. Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar all comes down to personal preference. I recommend tasting as you go. Start small and add as needed when it comes to seasonings. The sugar called for in the ingredients simply helps balance out the bitterness. You’ll really only need a pinch, but tweak it after tasting to suit your tastebuds.

How to Make Stir Fried Spinach

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
3. Add spinach leaves and season with black pepper, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
4. Cook, stirring frequently, until spinach leaves are wilted.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store cooled stir fried spinach in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating cooked spinach is sometimes tricky, as it naturally holds a lot of water and can become mushy if overcooked. The best way to reheat stir fried spinach is to heat it over medium-low in a skillet with a dash of oil for a couple of minutes. You can also try reheating it in the microwave for around 30 seconds covered with a damp paper towel.

Spinach will appear soft, shriveled, and pretty limp when wilted. The color typically deepens and the volume drastically decreases in the pan.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your stir fried spinach with a protein such as chicken, pork, beef, or seafood. Or, mix it with pasta and other goodies to make spinach fettuccine.

For breakfast, toss any leftover stir fried spinach into omelets or mix it into scrambled eggs.

More Spinach Recipes

• Fried Spinach
• Spinach Souffle
• Steamed Spinach
• Air Fryer Spinach
• Crispy Air Fryer Spinach

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