4 Ways To Cook Spinach - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Cook Spinach PDF download Download Article Chef Sean “Pooch” Rivera explains how to whip up a quick and flavorful spinach side 4 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Sean “Pooch” Rivera

Last Updated: March 1, 2026 Approved

PDF download Download Article
  • Preparing Spinach
    • |
  • Boiling Spinach
    • |
  • Sautéing Spinach
    • |
  • Creaming Spinach
    • |
  • Ingredients
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Sean “Pooch” Rivera. Chef Sean “Pooch” Rivera is an award-winning New Orleans-based chef, restaurateur, and food media personality with over 30 years of culinary experience. Specializing in Creole and Cajun flavors with a global twist, he has been featured internationally on National Geographic’s World of Flavor with Big Moe Cason and is co-host of the #1 food podcast in the world, Walk-In Talk, which has surpassed 4.5 million downloads. Chef Rivera is the host of the upcoming food series Love to Eat and serves as a culinary ambassador through his family’s heritage brands—Olde Tyme New Orleans, Crescent City Meats, and Elmer’s Fine Foods. His work spans restaurants he has created and sold, consulting for CPG food brands, and collaborating with world-renowned chefs and culinary competitions, including Bocuse d’Or. He has been recognized as a Culinary Fight Club Pit Master Champion, is a member of culinary trade associations and featured on Love NOLA TV. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 955,129 times.

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that can be enjoyed raw or cooked. There are many ways to cook spinach, including boiling, sautéing, and creaming. Spinach can be boiled with little more than salt and water, but sautéing and creaming require extra ingredients to achieve the best flavor.

How to Cook Tasty Sautéd Spinach

Chef Sean “Pooch” Rivera says one of the tastiest ways to cook spinach is to sauté it with a generous amount of garlic and onion. Sauté the garlic and onions in oil on low heat until they're caramelized. Turn up the heat a little, add the spinach, and cook until it's wilted. Add sea salt and cracked pepper to taste.

Ingredients

Preparing Spinach

  • 2 large bunches of spinach, about 1 lb (450 g)

Boiling Spinach

  • 1 to 2 tsp (4.8 to 9.5 g) salt

Sautéing Spinach

  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • Salt, to taste

Creaming Spinach

  • 1 Tbsp (14.3 g) butter
  • 1/4 cup (56.7 g) chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) whipping cream
  • 1/8 tsp (0.59 g) nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Servings

  • About 4 servings

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Preparing Spinach

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  1. Step 1 Cut out the thick stems. 1 Cut out the thick stems. Use a sharp knife to cut the stems off at the base of each leaf or snap the stems off by hand. You do not need to cut the stem out of the leaf since the part of the stem that extends into the leaf is thin and easy enough to eat.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 2 Fill a clean sink with cool to lukewarm water. Soak the spinach inside the water for several minutes to loosen any specks of dirt or sand. Drain the water, rinse the leaves, and then repeat the soaking and draining process once more. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Place the spinach inside a salad spinner. 3 Place the spinach inside a salad spinner. Turn the spinner, shaking the water from the spinach leaves.
    • Alternatively, you may allow the leaves to drain by letting them sit out in a mesh or plastic strainer for 30 minutes or by patting them dry with clean paper towels.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 4 Tear the leaves into pieces. The pieces should only be 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) tall.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Boiling Spinach

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 1 Place the spinach in a medium stockpot. Select a stockpot with a 6-quart (6-liter) capacity or more. The leaves should only reach the mid-point of the pot and should not rise much higher.
  2. Step 2 Cover the leaves with water. 2 Cover the leaves with water. Fill the stockpot with enough water to just cover the leaves. Make sure that there is at least 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) of empty space in between the top of the water and the top rim of the pot to prevent the water from boiling over.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 3 Salt the water to taste. Use around 1 to 2 teaspoons (4.8 to 9.5 grams) of salt. You want just enough salt to draw out the flavor of the spinach, but not so much salt that it dominates over the taste of the spinach.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 4 Boil the spinach in the water on the stove over high heat. Once it begins to steam, start timing it. Boil the spinach for 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 5 Drain the spinach by pouring the contents of the pot into a large pasta drainer. Shake the drainer to remove any excess water.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 6 Immediately transfer the spinach over to a separate stockpot filled with ice water. Allow it to sit in the ice water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The ice water "shocks" the spinach, preventing it from losing its bright green color.
  7. Step 7 Drain the spinach once more. 7 Drain the spinach once more. Pour the contents of the second pot into a large pasta drainer and shake out excess water.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Sautéing Spinach

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 1 Heat 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil in a large skillet.[1] The skillet should be about 12 inches (30 1/2 centimeters) in diameter. Select a skillet with deep sides and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Turn the skillet to coat the entire bottom with the oil.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 2 Add 3 cloves of sliced garlic to the pan. Sauté  the garlic until it begins to brown. This should only take a minute or less. Do not allow the garlic to cook much longer, since it will burn if allowed to cook alone for too long.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 3 Place the spinach in the skillet. If necessary, pat it down into the pan using your hands or a spatula, but be careful to avoid burning yourself on the hot oil.[2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 4 Coat the spinach in the garlic oil. Use tongs or two spatulas to lift and flip the spinach. Turn the spinach several times until you are certain that all the leaves are coated.
  5. Step 5 Cover the pan. 5 Cover the pan. Leave it covered and cook the spinach, without turning, for a full minute.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 6 Remove the lid. Turn the spinach again with your tongs or spatulas to re-coat the leaves with oil.
  7. Step 7 Cover the skillet once more. 7 Cover the skillet once more. Cook it for 1 more minute.
  8. Step 8 Once the spinach appears wilted, uncover it and remove the skillet from the heat. 8 Once the spinach appears wilted, uncover it and remove the skillet from the heat. Drain the pan of any moisture.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 9 Add extra olive oil and salt to the spinach, if desired. Turn the spinach with tongs or spatulas to coat it before serving.
    10. Advertisement
Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Creaming Spinach

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 1 Cook the spinach by boiling it for 1 minute. Follow the above instructions about boiling spinach.
  2. Step 2 Drain the boiled spinach using a large pasta drainer. 2 Drain the boiled spinach using a large pasta drainer. Place the leaves on top of clean paper towels and place a separate layer of paper towels over the spinach. Pat the leaves dry until they no longer appear damp.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 3 Set the leaves out onto a cutting board. Coarsely chop the spinach using a sharp, smooth-bladed knife.
    • Alternatively, you may also use kitchen shears to cut the leaves into coarsely shredded pieces.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 4 Heat 1 tablespoon (14 1/3 grams) of butter in a 12-inch (30 1/2-centimeter) skillet. Heat the butter over medium to medium-high heat until it melts and coats the bottom of the skillet.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 5 Add 1/4 cup (57 grams) chopped onion and 1 clove of minced garlic to the pan. Cook the onion and the garlic, in butter, for about 5 minutes, allowing the ingredients to release a strong aroma and to caramelize.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 6 Pour 1/2 cup (125 milliliters) heavy whipping cream into the pan. Stir the whipping cream into the onions and garlic.
  7. Step 7 Add 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 gram) of nutmeg and a dash of salt and pepper to the whipping cream. 7 Add 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 gram) of nutmeg and a dash of salt and pepper to the whipping cream. Stir and cook, uncovered, until the mixture begins to boil and thicken. Wolfgang Puck Wolfgang Puck, Chef and Restaurateur

    Cooking well is an art. "Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors – it's how you combine them that sets you apart."

  8. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Spinach 8 Throw the drained, chopped spinach into the boiling cream mixture. Mix it into the cream, allowing the cream mixture to thoroughly coat the leaves. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the contents of the skillet to simmer, still uncovered, for an additional 2 minutes. The contents should appear even thicker.
  9. Step 9 Serve immediately, seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired. 9 Serve immediately, seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I steam spinach? If so, how? Community Answer Community Answer Spinach can be certainly be steamed. For detailed instructions on how to do so, check How to Steam Spinach Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 17
  • Question Can I use fresh milk instead of cream? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. You will just need to put more milk in, so it replaces it better and it makes it more useful. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 13
  • Question Can spinach be microwaved? Community Answer Community Answer It could be, but it won't taste as good or have as nice a texture. Precooked spinach can be heated in a microwave, though. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • If working with baby spinach, use more delicate methods. Baby spinach can lose too much liquid and shrink significantly when cooked with too much heat. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Cooked spinach can be used to make spinach soup. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Sharp knife
  • Sink
  • Stove
  • Salad spinner
  • Cutting board
  • 6-quart (6-liter) stockpot
  • Large pasta drainer
  • 12-inch (30.5-centimeter) skillet
  • Tongs
  • Spatulas

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References

  1. ↑ Jennifer Lease, RD, CDN. Registered Dietitian & Trained Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Jennifer Lease, RD, CDN. Registered Dietitian & Trained Chef. Expert Interview
  3. Better Homes and Gardens: How to Cook Spinach
  4. Simply Recipes: Spinach

About This Article

Sean “Pooch” Rivera Co-authored by: Sean “Pooch” Rivera Chef, Restaurateur, and Culinary Media Personality This article was co-authored by Sean “Pooch” Rivera. Chef Sean “Pooch” Rivera is an award-winning New Orleans-based chef, restaurateur, and food media personality with over 30 years of culinary experience. Specializing in Creole and Cajun flavors with a global twist, he has been featured internationally on National Geographic’s World of Flavor with Big Moe Cason and is co-host of the #1 food podcast in the world, Walk-In Talk, which has surpassed 4.5 million downloads. Chef Rivera is the host of the upcoming food series Love to Eat and serves as a culinary ambassador through his family’s heritage brands—Olde Tyme New Orleans, Crescent City Meats, and Elmer’s Fine Foods. His work spans restaurants he has created and sold, consulting for CPG food brands, and collaborating with world-renowned chefs and culinary competitions, including Bocuse d’Or. He has been recognized as a Culinary Fight Club Pit Master Champion, is a member of culinary trade associations and featured on Love NOLA TV. This article has been viewed 955,129 times. 4 votes - 95% Co-authors: 27 Updated: March 1, 2026 Views: 955,129 Categories: Food Preparation | Fruits and Vegetables Article SummaryX

To boil spinach, start by placing the greens in a medium stockpot. Only fill the pot about halfway with spinach, then cover the leaves with water and add a dash of salt. Boil the spinach and water on the stove for 3-5 minutes, then drain the spinach in a colander. After draining out the hot water, immediately put the spinach in a separate stockpot filled with ice water to keep the vegetable’s bright color. After 1 minute, drain the spinach again and enjoy! To learn how to cream spinach, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Marilyn White

    Marilyn White

    Apr 14, 2016

    "I grew spinach in my garden so I checked wikiHow to learn how to cook it. Article was excellent; I now know how to..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Sean “Pooch” Rivera Co-authored by: Sean “Pooch” Rivera Chef, Restaurateur, and Culinary Media Personality Co-authors: 27 Updated: March 1, 2026 Views: 955,129 95% of voters found this recipe helpful. 4 votes - 95% Click a star to add your vote Marilyn White

Marilyn White

Apr 14, 2016

"I grew spinach in my garden so I checked wikiHow to learn how to cook it. Article was excellent; I now know how to..." more Urla Hill

Urla Hill

Dec 15, 2016

"Doing my best to go from a vegetarian to a vegan, so looking for things I can do to spinach to change things up." Kahrow Miller

Kahrow Miller

Mar 30, 2020

"Easy & clear instructions on how to cook spinach encouraged me to cook healthy." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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