Put a nutritious, delicious side dish on the dinner table in only four minutes with this quick and easy recipe.
One of the biggest problems I’ve had with microwaving vegetables is that they often come out bland or uninspiring. Nowadays, it’s easy to buy frozen vegetables in microwaveable bags, and some of them are even pre-seasoned. Having worked full-time and raised a family, I know that convenience often rules when it comes to getting dinner on the table on a busy weeknight. Perhaps that’s why I love this microwave spinach recipe. It is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor.
Spinach is one of the easiest vegetables to microwave, as it takes only three minutes to go from fresh to perfectly wilted—less time than it takes to make many frozen veggies. And because you season the spinach before cooking, all those delicious flavors from the butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes infuse into the greens while they cook. You can cut back on the amount or omit the red pepper flakes entirely, if desired.
Other spices and herbs will also work when microwaving spinach. If I’m serving this dish alongside an Italian pasta meal, I add some dried oregano and basil, or Italian seasoning, to the spinach. You can also substitute olive oil for butter. Another great option is to add a little toasted sesame oil and soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos for an Asian meal. As I always say, let your imagination guide you when making delicious and easy meals for your family.
You can use this recipe for kale and Swiss chard, too, making it easy to turn any leafy green veggies you have on hand into an aromatic and flavorful side dish. I like to remove the tough stems from the Swiss chard and kale before cutting the leaves into pieces. The stems take far longer to cook, so I either discard them, cook them separately, or add them to other recipes.
Get to know the different types of spinach
I remember the first few times that I purchased fresh spinach back in my early 20s. One week, the spinach was smooth and flat, but the next week it was all crinkly. There was no internet back then (yes, I’m dating myself), so I just figured it was how it grew. Fast-forward to now, and I can easily spot the difference between savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leaf spinach. The real fun would be to try to decipher the 40-ish types of spinach grown around the world, but since most US grocery stores only carry one or two types, I think we’ll stick with that.
You’ll probably find savoy spinach, with its dark-green, curly leaves, in your produce aisle. I love using this type of spinach for raw salads. If buying this spinach unwashed, make sure to clean it well, as dirt can hide in the crevices. Semi-savoy is not as curly as savoy, making it a bit easier to clean. Flat leaf spinach looks exactly like it sounds. Its flat leaves are easy to clean, and you often find this in bags of prewashed baby spinach. That is also my favorite type for cooking, including sautéing and microwaving.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow leftover microwave spinach to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Do not leave leftovers sitting out for more than 2 hours. Once chilled, you can freeze the spinach in freezer-safe zippered bags or containers for up to 3 months. Defrost the frozen spinach in the refrigerator or reheat it from frozen. Microwave any leftovers until warm, or add them to other recipes.
Serving suggestions
Because it’s so quick and easy to make, microwave spinach pairs well with almost any meal as a wholesome, nutritious side dish. Make a colorful statement on your dinner table when serving it alongside Baked Shrimp, Instant-Pot Pork Chops, or Salmon Cakes. Spinach is equally delicious with a meal of Air-Fryer Burgers, Loaded Fries, and Reese’s Brownies. After all, there should be a yummy dessert for anyone who eats their spinach!
Microwave Spinach
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh spinach rinsed under cold water
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons melted butter
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 lemon wedge
- Parmesan cheese freshly grated, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the spinach, minced garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a microwave-safe dish. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for about 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
- Drain any extra water, squeeze the lemon wedge over the spinach, and serve immediately. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
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