Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Lemon Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts

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

A bright and simple sauté of fresh spinach with fragrant garlic, finished with zesty lemon and crunchy pine nuts for a refreshing side dish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 13 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 110 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 110 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 tbsp pine nuts and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove pine nuts and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 cups fresh spinach leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
  4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat, then immediately stir in the zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Toss to combine.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the spinach before serving to add a crunchy texture contrast.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Lemon Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts 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 Spinach with Lemon Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts?

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 Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts?

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 Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts 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 Spinach with Lemon Zest and Toasted Pine Nuts vegetarian?

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

Related recipes