When you Microwave Spinach, you get a tasty, nutritious side dish in minutes!
I often wonder why my skin has not turned green. After all, I rarely skip a day of eating spinach. Most mornings, you can find it in my smoothie or sautéed and topped with over-medium eggs. If I do not consume spinach at breakfast, you can place odds that I will have a spinach salad at lunch or cooked spinach with dinner. That’s why I love this microwave spinach recipe: it makes it possible to have a healthy side dish in less than five minutes.
I often wonder about the different types of spinach I see at the store, so I did some research for this article. The three varieties most regularly sold in groceries in the U.S. are flat-leaf spinach, crinkled-leaf (savoy), and semi-savoy hybrids. Baby spinach leaves often fall under the flat-leaf variety, at least at my local stores. Microwaving time is less for delicate baby spinach leaves than for full-grown leaves.
If you’re searching for a quick spinach recipe, this is what you want. Although you might “hear” Kermit singing, “It’s not easy being green,” in your head, you’ll be thinking it’s so easy eating green with this recipe.
Is Microwave Spinach Healthy?
There’s a reason why Popeye ate spinach—it’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Spinach also contains a lot of water. No wonder you can fill a skillet with raw spinach and turn it into next to nothing after cooking. Spinach is also very high in fiber. The insoluble fiber in spinach is excellent for your digestive system.
What’s The Best Cooking Method For Spinach?
While microwaving is a highly convenient method of preparing spinach quickly, it is not the most nutritious way to make it. Stir-frying, sautéing, and blanching are better options, while boiling it in water leads to a much higher loss of nutrients. Eating cooked spinach rather than raw spinach is also better because you absorb more iron and calcium when it is cooked. I did not know that before, so I may eat more sautéed spinach and eggs and drink fewer smoothies in the future.
INGREDIENTS
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Wash and season spinach.
Cook
Microwave until wilted.
Drain
Drain excess liquid and add lemon juice.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
It’s best to eat spinach right away after microwaving. If you want to make it ahead of time, cook it and let it cool before placing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you want to freeze the cooked spinach, let it cool completely in the fridge before portioning it into freezer-safe containers or plastic bags. You can then use the frozen spinach in other recipes in the future.
Rinsing is only necessary if your spinach has not been pre-washed. Most bagged spinach we buy has been triple-washed and is ready to eat or cook. Unwashed spinach must be rinsed well before being used to remove dirt, grit, and bugs. If your spinach has been pre-washed, add 2 tablespoons of water to the dish, as the spinach needs the liquid for steaming in the microwave.
Once the spinach has finished cooking, you can add cheese. I like to sprinkle on some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For a dairy-free and vegan option, choose nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan.
Serving Suggestions
Microwave spinach can be part of a healthy eating plan that could also include entrees such as this Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast, Air-Fryer Fish, or Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak. Additional nutritious sides can include Quinoa Fried Rice and Delicious Roasted Red Potatoes. Eating healthy never tasted so good!
Microwave Spinach
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon
Instructions
-
Rinse the fresh spinach thoroughly under cold water.
-
In a microwave-safe dish, combine the washed spinach (do not dry it), minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat the spinach evenly.
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Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted and hot.
-
Drain any excess liquid. Squeeze lemon juice over it, and serve.
Nutrition
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