Sautéed Garlic and Chili Spinach with Toasted Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant sauté of fresh spinach with garlic and chili flakes, finished with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, garlic cloves, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 3, 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: 10 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and drain 10 oz fresh spinach leaves thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Peel and finely mince 4 garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add the spinach leaves to the skillet, stirring continuously to coat in the garlicky oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt evenly over the spinach and toss again.
  6. Step 6: In a small dry pan, toast 1 tbsp sesame seeds over medium heat for 2 minutes until golden and aromatic.
  7. Step 7: Transfer the spinach to a serving dish and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds for a final nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Sesame?

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 Sesame?

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 Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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.

What goes well with Sautéed Garlic and Chili Spinach with Toasted Sesame?

Asian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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