Looking for a simple, nutritious side dish that’s packed with flavor? This Vibrant Sautéed Spinach and Carrots dish is the perfect choice. It combines tender spinach and sweet carrots with aromatic garlic and onions, all lightly seasoned to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables. With various flavor and vegetable options, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your tastes and make it your own. Whether you’re serving it alongside your favorite protein or enjoying it as a light main dish, this recipe is a versatile addition to your meal repertoire.
Ingredients:
Base Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds baby spinach, or regular spinach with stems removed
- ¼ cup olive oil or another vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups carrots, sliced
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 4-6 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Flavor Options (Choose any or all):
- ½ – 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, for a spicy kick
- 2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, for a tangy flavor
- 1-3 teaspoons lemon juice, for a bright, fresh taste
Vegetable Options (Choose any or all):
- 4 small shallots, thinly sliced (instead of garlic and onion)
- 4 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 3-4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, or 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Instructions:
- Prep the Vegetables: Wash and prepare the spinach, carrots, onions, and garlic. If you’re using any additional vegetables or flavor options, prepare those as well by slicing, dicing, or draining as needed.
- Cook the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sliced or minced garlic, sautéing until they are fragrant and the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook the Carrots: Add the sliced carrots to the skillet and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. If you’re using additional vegetables like mushrooms, shallots, or tomatoes, add them to the skillet at this point and cook until they start to release their juices and become tender.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring frequently as it wilts down. Continue to add more spinach until it’s all incorporated and wilted. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Season and Add Flavors: Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and any flavor options you’ve chosen, such as crushed red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice. Mix thoroughly and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the spinach is fully wilted and everything is well combined, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the sautéed spinach and carrots hot as a side dish, or enjoy it on its own for a light and healthy meal.
Conclusion:
This Vibrant Sautéed Spinach and Carrots dish is a delightful and nutritious way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. The combination of tender spinach, sweet carrots, and aromatic garlic and onions is both simple and satisfying. With various flavor and vegetable options, you can easily tailor this recipe to suit your taste preferences and make it uniquely yours. Perfect as a versatile side dish or a light, standalone meal, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.