Learn How to Cook Spinach in Minutes for Quick Sides and Recipe Mix-Ins (2024)

Spinach is a healthy, leafy green full of nutrients and vitamins. It's delicious raw in your favorite smoothies and salads. And while cooked spinach might make you think of shriveled mush, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, when done correctly, it's a delicious side to any meal. Generally, the best way to cook spinach is on the stovetop. Sautéing spinach is an especially quick and easy way to cook spinach, which also evaporates excess moisture in the leaves. However, you can also boil or steam spinach in just a few minutes. Whatever you do, learning how to cook spinach in a fast, flavorful way will make things easier, especially for picky eaters.

How to Cook Fresh Spinach

Before you start cooking spinach, you'll want to work with about 1 pound of spinach at a time (it should equal about 12 cups torn). It may seem like a lot, but it cooks down to a much smaller volume. Thoroughly wash and drain spinach properly. Remove stems and tear leaves into pieces, as desired. If you're using baby spinach, the stems generally do not need to be removed, as they're more tender. You also likely won't need to tear the leaves into pieces, because they're already smaller. If you're using prewashed baby spinach, sold in bags in the produce aisle, you can skip washing. Each of the following three methods for cooking spinach makes 4 side-dish servings.

How to Sauté Spinach

Here's how to cook spinach on the stovetop, starting with our easy sautéed spinach recipe.

• Heat about 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 to 12 cups of packed spinach, large stems removed.
• Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until just wilted.
• Stir in salt, pepper, and (if desired) balsamic vinegar or other seasonings to taste. If you want to dress up the side dish, garnish with crisp, cooked bacon pieces.

How to Boil Spinach

To cook fresh spinach in boiling water, place 1 pound of washed spinach, covered, in a small amount of boiling salted water. If you're wondering how long to boil spinach, it should only take a few minutes. Once the steam starts to foam, begin your timer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.

How to Steam Spinach

To steam fresh spinach on the stovetop, add water to a pot fitted with a steamer basket ($23, Target). Place 1 pound of spinach on the steamer. When water boils, cook spinach for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.

How to Cook Canned Spinach

Store-bought canned spinach is fully cooked. To cook, simply place the spinach, along with the liquid from the can, into a saucepan and cook until heated through. Drain and serve. You can optionally add a little butter and season with salt and pepper (though taste the spinach first, as many canned products already contain plenty of sodium).

How to Cream Spinach

For a delicious side dish or party dip, you can easily add richness to baby spinach by adding some butter and cream. Simply start by boiling or steaming the spinach (to your liking, as some people like to have a crunchy texture). Sauté butter, onions, and garlic to kick up the flavor. Add a cup of cream cheese per an 8oz bag of baby spinach, and just stir until it’s all mixed together. Add the spinach and mix. You can also substitute the cream cheese for béchamel (preferably using heavy cream so it’s thick and creamy) or Fettucini Alfredo sauce and grated cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Adding Fresh Spinach to Your Recipes

For an extra boost of nutrients, try adding spinach to your favorite recipes. Throw in a few handfuls to a classic pasta dish during the last few minutes of cooking time until it just starts to wilt. Scramble up some egg whites with spinach for a healthy breakfast. You can also enjoy a wilted spinach salad for lunch or use it as a base for a pan-fried chicken dinner.