Sautéed Garlic and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant sauté of fresh spinach with fragrant garlic and mild chili, finished with crunchy toasted almonds for texture and nutty flavor. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 13 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, thinly sliced garlic cloves, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the garlic edges are golden but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 10 ounces fresh spinach leaves to the skillet in batches, stirring constantly and allowing each batch to wilt down before adding the next. Cook for 3-4 minutes until all spinach is wilted and tender.
  3. Step 3: Season the spinach with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, then drizzle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over the mixture and toss well to combine.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds evenly over the spinach. Serve warm as a flavorful side dish or light vegetarian entrée.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 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 and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds?

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 and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds?

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 and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 and Chili Spinach with Toasted Almonds 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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