Sautéed Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil

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

A simple and flavorful sauté of fresh spinach with garlic and crumbled feta cheese, perfect as a side or light vegetarian dish. This Greek recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 12 minutes, pairs fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried, olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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: 7 min Serves 3 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 10 oz fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and toss with the garlic oil, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
  3. Step 3: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then stir in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
  4. Step 4: Cook for an additional 1 minute until the feta softens slightly and the spinach mixture is heated through. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 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 Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil?

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 Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil 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.

Is Sautéed Greek Spinach and Feta with Garlic and Olive Oil 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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