Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame and Lemon

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

A quick sauté of fresh spinach with garlic, finished with toasted sesame seeds and a splash of lemon juice for bright, earthy flavor. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 10 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, 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 70 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: 5 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 70 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just golden — do not burn.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 cups fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and toss continuously for 3-4 minutes until the leaves are wilted but still vibrant green.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well and serve immediately as a side dish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Sesame and Lemon 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 and Lemon?

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 and Lemon?

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 and Lemon 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 Toasted Sesame and Lemon 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.

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