Microwave Spinach

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Want wilted spinach fast that keeps its nutrients? Then let me introduce you to microwave spinach. It is fast, it is easy, and it tastes delicious.

I will show you how to steam spinach in microwave including what seasonings and extras to add to make it the best spinach you have ever tasted.

microwave spinach recipe
Microwave Spinach Recipe

Steam Spinach In Microwave

My aunt was the first person to introduce me to spinach in the microwave. It was way back in the 80’s when the microwave was becoming more and more popular.

I would watch as she would use the microwave to wilt her spinach and cook it with butter, light seasoning, stir it and then eat it for a quick snack for herself.

She would make me some too and I thought it was the best tasting veggie dish ever.

Years later, here I am sharing with you microwave spinach using a steamer basket, seasoning and of course the butter.

If you want a way to keep the nutrients on the spinach, wilt it fast without getting a pan out, then this steamed spinach in the microwave recipe is just perfect for YOU!

Best Way To Cook Spinach?

The best way to cook spinach is in the microwave. My aunt (and so many others) have been using the microwave to cook spinach for many years.

You can of course cook spinach in a pan, but when you steam spinach in the microwave it also gets rid of the excess water into the bottom of the steamer as it cooks. Which is an extra added benefit to the microwave method as spinach carries a lot of water.

Should You Boil Spinach?

No, I don’t recommend boiling spinach. The BIGGEST reason is that when you cook ANY veggie in a pan of boiling water it removes its nutrients and stops spinach been the healthy veggie that we love.

Also when you boil spinach its easy for it to retain the water and this leads to flavourless spinach.

Can You Microwave Spinach?

Yes, you sure can microwave spinach and it’s amazing too.

There are a few options for microwaving spinach, such as loading onto a plate or a bowl and covering with cling film.

Though my favourite is to use my steamer bowl as it is perfect for a large bag of fresh spinach leaves.

Can You Wilt Spinach In The Microwave?

Yes, you can. It’s a really quick way to wilt spinach ahead of adding it to another meal that you are making. Such as wanting some wilted spinach to go in a pasta dish.

When you wilt spinach in the microwave, you just cook it for a little longer than regular steamed spinach, just to make sure it is fully wilted.

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Spinach Microwave Ingredients

spinach microwave ingredients

Spinach – The sad thing about spinach is that it wilts down to almost nothing. That means that when you cook fresh spinach in the microwave you will need quite a lot. I used one full bag of fresh spinach and you will see from the photos how much it made!

Water – To steam spinach in the microwave you will need a tablespoon of water into the bottom of your steamer basket.

Seasoning – Then for seasoning your spinach I recommend you keep it simple with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic puree.

Butter – Wilted spinach in the microwave is just not the same without the addition of butter or margarine. I recommend that you steam your spinach with the butter and then it will melt into it as it wilts.

Optional – Then after the microwave has beeped I recommend moving to a serving dish and adding a little cheese. Then a quick microwave later to melt the cheese over the spinach.

Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this microwave fresh spinach recipe it has just been our Panasonic Microwave Oven. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of microwave recipes.

As well as your microwave you will need a good steamer basket that will fit in your microwave. We recommend this one.

How To Prep Spinach?

There is not much to spinach in the microwave and prepping the spinach is so easy. You just need to give the spinach a good wash using a sieve and then season it well before microwaving.

It amazes me how dirty and gritty the spinach can be when purchased prepped in the bag from the supermarket.

You can also mix and match the seasonings and I love to use garlic puree with mine. As nothing beats garlic, cheese and butter combined.

Or you can follow our microwave roasted garlic recipe that we shared yesterday and use that as your garlic.

How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?

microwave spinach step by step
  • Liquid. Start by adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your steamer basket. This is so that you can perfectly steam your spinach.
  • Prep. Give your spinach a good clean with a sieve/colander and then load into the steamer bowl.
  • Load. Add your seasonings and mix well and then add margarine or butter over the top. It will then melt into the spinach as it wilts.
  • Microwave. Then place the lid on your steamer and then load your steamer basket into the microwave. Microwave your fresh spinach for 2 minutes.
  • Cheese. Then stir your spinach and transfer to a serving dish. Add cheese and then microwave again for one last minute.

And I am sure you can see now how easy it is cooking fresh spinach in the microwave and why it is a firm favourite of mine for a quick veggie side dish for dinner.

How Long To Cook Fresh Spinach?

The microwave spinach cook time is JUST 2 minutes. Isn’t that AMAZING? Plus an extra minute to melt the cheese into the spinach.

I can’t think of a quicker cooking veggie that you could serve for dinner that also has such little prep time.

Microwavable Spinach Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t skip the step of cleaning the spinach. Otherwise as the spinach wilts you will end up with a gritty texture from the dirt on the spinach.
  • You can keep the seasoning simple of spinach with just salt and pepper and then add your favourite dried herbs.
  • If you have leftovers, leave in the fridge, and reheat in the microwave the next day.  

Top Microwave Trick – Add the water first, as you don’t want to be pouring water over your just seasoned veggies. Then add fresh spinach and you are ready to microwave.

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Microwave Spinach

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Microwave Spinach
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5 from 1 vote

Microwave Spinach

Want wilted spinach fast that keeps its nutrients? Then let me introduce you to microwave spinach. It is fast, it is easy, and it tastes delicious.
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time3 minutes
Total Time4 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Microwave
Servings: 2
Calories: 84kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place one tablespoon of water in the bottom of your steamer basket.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?
  • Give your fresh spinach a good wash with a sieve and then add to the steamer basket. Add your seasonings and mix with your hands for an even coating. Cover the top of the spinach with butter or margarine.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?
  • Place the lid on the steamer and then place in the microwave.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?
  • Microwave for 2 minutes. Though check on it at 1 minute as your wattage might be higher than ours.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?
  • When it beeps load into a serving dish that is microwave safe, being careful to not add the water from the steamer bowl. Then cover the top with parmesan cheese.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?
  • Microwave for a further minute before serving.
    How To Steam Spinach In Microwave?

Notes

Optional – I love my wilted spinach with melted butter and cheese, but it is totally optional.
Quantity – Remember that spinach wilts a LOT and don’t do less than a bag, because you won’t get much spinach!
Thanks for reading steaming spinach in microwave on Recipe This. We have many more microwave recipes for you to check out next. Though if you would like more delicious ideas to serve with your steamed spinach, do check out our air fryer frozen chicken breast.

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 601mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 9523IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition InfoPlease Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Hi! I am Sam and along with my chef hubby Dom we love sharing with you easy everyday recipes using kitchen gadgets. We are also the authors of The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook, an amazing air fryer cookbook filled with 140+ everyday air fryer recipes. Beyond the air fryer we also love the instant pot, slow cooker, soup maker, ninja foodi, pie marker and several other kitchen gadgets. CLICKING HERE →

2 thoughts on “Microwave Spinach”

  1. I have always been into nutrition since 16,but I was in a controlling situation day in & day out as a teen/ in young adult,I never did have fresh spinached steamed, so I wanna thank you for this way of steam8ng it & alsoadding this stuff that makes it sound so yummy. I look forward to trying it soon. I will continue to always fix it that way too yummybut a healthy way

    Reply

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