Gluten-Free Sauteed Spinach

Transform fresh spinach into a vibrant side dish with a quick sauté, infused with the aromatic warmth of garlic and a bright hint of lemon. This simple preparation locks in the spinach's tender texture and earthy flavor, making it a perfect complement to any meal.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 5 min Total: 20 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This medium salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 20 minutes (15 min prep, 5 min cook). It uses 6 ingredients — including fresh spinach, extra virgin olive oil, garlic — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Sauteed Spinach: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, spinach, garlic and lemon are low-risk, so wash the skillet if it last cooked breaded foods. Pre-washed bagged spinach is usually plain, but check that it is not a salad kit with croutons.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Sauteed Spinach: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on fresh produce and simple seasonings. Always ensure any added ingredients, like pre-minced garlic or bottled lemon juice, are gluten-free.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Ingredients

10 oz fresh spinach, washed and dried
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1 Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat until it shimmers, about 1-2 minutes. Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it, for about 30-60 seconds. The garlic should release a pleasant aroma.
2 Add the washed and dried fresh spinach to the skillet in batches, if necessary, as it will wilt down significantly. Stir the spinach gently as it begins to wilt, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Continue to cook until all the spinach is tender and vibrant green.
3 Once the spinach is wilted and tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the spinach, then season with salt and black pepper. Toss everything together gently to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
4 Taste the sauteed spinach and adjust the salt and pepper as needed to achieve your desired flavor profile. The spinach should be tender with a bright, garlicky, and slightly acidic finish.
5 Serve the gluten-free sauteed spinach immediately as a delicious and healthy side dish. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, fish, or as part of a larger vegetarian meal.

Nutrition (per serving)

337

Calories

13g

Protein

33g

Carbs

17g

Fat

Fiber

279mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Dry the spinach well after washing. Wet leaves steam and turn watery in the pan.
Add the spinach in handfuls, as step 2 says, and turn it with tongs as it wilts.
Drain off any liquid in the pan before adding the lemon juice so the spinach isn't soupy.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Sauteed Spinach?

Check fresh spinach, washed and dried, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, minced before they go into Gluten-Free Sauteed Spinach. Spinach, garlic and lemon are low-risk, so wash the skillet if it last cooked breaded foods. Pre-washed bagged spinach is usually plain, but check that it is not a salad kit with croutons.

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