Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Lemon and Toasted Almonds
A simple and vibrant side dish of fresh spinach quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted almonds and a splash of lemon juice. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
- Step 2: Add 6 cups fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts evenly but remains bright green.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Lemon and Toasted Almonds 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 Lemon and 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 Spinach with Lemon and 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 Spinach with Lemon and Toasted Almonds 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 Lemon and 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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