Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright green spinach quickly sautéed with fragrant garlic and finished with nutty toasted sesame seeds for a simple, flavorful side dish. This asian-inspired sushi (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, thinly sliced garlic cloves, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.1 (15 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and drain 300 g fresh spinach leaves thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add spinach leaves and stir-fry quickly for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, tossing to combine.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the spinach before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh spinach leaves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame Seeds vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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