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Spinach

Spinach, the tastiest leafy vegetable!

Spinach is a super versatile nutrient powerhouse and fits perfectly into many cuisines. Whether you're in the mood for an easy spinach pasta, a spinach smoothie, or just want to be inspired, you’re in the right place. We’re sharing the best and easiest spinach recipes to give your kitchen a big dose of green!

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Fresh spinach, shapes and sizes

Did you know that there are different types of spinach? The most well-known is regular leaf spinach, with its large, tender leaves that are perfect for cooking. Baby spinach has smaller tender leaves that are delicious in a salad, sandwich or wrap.

Spinach is the star of countless dishes worldwide! Take, for example, Palak Paneer from India: a velvety spinach sauce with pieces of paneer (Indian cheese) that pairs beautifully with naan bread. Or how about the French favourite, Eggs Florentine? Poached eggs on a bed of spinach. And let’s not forget Spanakopita from Greece: crispy pastries filled with spinach and feta. Three completely different flavours, but all irresistible!

With washed spinach, you can get started right away – perfect if you want to make something delicious quickly. If you choose unwashed spinach, keep in mind that it often still has sand or dirt on it, so you’ll need to wash it thoroughly in cold water before using it.

Preparing spinach

Boiling spinach

You don't really boil spinach, you sauté it. Grab a sauté pan with a lid and add the spinach, adding a little oil if necessary. Turn the heat to medium-high and put the lid on the pan. Stir well from time to time so that everything cooks evenly. When the spinach has shrunk, pour off the excess liquid. For an extra taste-boost, add a small knob of butter and sprinkle some salt and pepper on top.

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Eating spinach raw

Raw spinach is delicious in salads, especially baby spinach, which consists of young, tender leaves with a small stem. Want to make a spinach smoothie? You can simply toss the whole raw leaves (washed) into the blender. Did you know that you can also use spinach to make pesto? Substitute fresh basil for spinach.

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Spinach wok

Heat olive oil in the wok, add the spinach little by little and stir so that it cooks evenly.

Time: 3 minutes

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Delicious
recipes
with spinach

Spinach ricotta gnocchi with roasted cherry tomatoes
Cook time
20 min
Pasta with spinach and mushrooms
Cook time
25 min
Spinach salad with blackberries, mozzarella and red velvet dressing
Cook time
15 min
Spinach and feta rolls
Cook time
30 min
Spinach and salmon quiche
Cook time
60 min
Roast pumpkin, baby spinach, walnut and feta salad
Cook time
35 min
Roasted cauliflower with harissa, cauliflower puree, chickpeas, and spinach salad
Cook time
75 min
Savoury waffles with spinach and caramelized banana
Cook time
20 min
Indian sweet potato curry with cauliflower, chickpeas, and spinach
Cook time
40 min
Easy spinach soup
Cook time
More delicious recipes

Snackable facts

Buying and storing Frozen spinach Reheat spinach Flavour pairings hacks and tips spinach in Season

Buying and storing spinach

Fresh spinach looks fresh and firm, without bruises on the leaves. As you know, spinach wilts during cooking, so for a warm dish, plan on 300 to 450 grams per person, and 80 grams for a salad. Once spinach is cooked, you can still eat it up to 2 days later, as long as it’s stored properly in the fridge!

Preparing frozen spinach

You can add frozen spinach directly to the pan, no need to defrost, add the cubes to the (wok) pan and cook over medium-high heat, stir frequently for a regulated cooking.

Time: 4-6 minutes

You can safely reheat spinach!

Make sure that the spinach is cooled down after the first preparation and stored in the fridge quickly. This prevents bacteria that can produce nitrites from having the chance to grow.

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Best flavour pairings with spinach

  • Vegetables: avocado, mushrooms, pumpkin, tomato, sweet potato
  • Nuts, seeds, kernels: sesame seeds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios
  • Herbs and spices: garlic, nutmeg, pepper, curry, ginger
  • Fruits: grapes, lemon, mango, strawberries
  • Dairy: butter, cream, Parmesan, ricotta, feta, goat cheese, halloumi
  • Meat and fish: bacon, chicken, various types of fish
  • Others: eggs, soy sauce, mustard, chickpeas
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spinach hacks

Do you know that feeling? Rough teeth after eating spinach? This happens because spinach contains oxalic acid. When you cook spinach, this substance disappears, but if you stir-fry it, for example, the oxalic acid remains. To reduce this effect, add a dash of (coconut) cream at the end of your preparation.

spinach season

When is spinach in season?

Spinach from the UK is best between March and June.

FAQ
Spinach

If you want to lose weight, eating spinach is a good choice. Spinach is made up of 92% water and contains only 26 calories per 100 grams, which means you can eat a lot of it without consuming many calories. Moreover, spinach is rich in fibre, which can contribute to weight loss by making you feel satiated for longer. Whether you lose weight depends on your overall diet and energy balance - the total amount of calories you take in and consume. In addition, your weight is influenced by other factors, such as your environment, genetics, sleep, stress and exercise.

Spinach is rich in vitamins such as vitamin K, A, C and folic acid, and minerals such as iron and calcium. It also contains antioxidants that are good for the eyes. Whether you choose fresh spinach or frozen spinach, both are healthy options, and sometimes frozen spinach can even be healthier than fresh spinach.
Fresh vegetables are often harvested before they are fully ripe and lose nutrients over time due to storage and transport. Frozen spinach is harvested when it is ready for processing and is immediately blanched and frozen after being picked. This process helps to retain the nutrients.