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Simple Stir Fry Spinach with Garlic

Simple Stir Fry Spinach with Garlic

Side dishes are not meant to be difficult to make. They should be simple, fast and taste great. This Simple Stir Fry Spinach is one of the perfect recipes for an easy side dish that you can whip up in less than 10 minutes!

Spinach is a high-fibre food that is loaded with vitamins and minerals for the body. As it’s a healthy food, it’s important to cook it al-dente to preserve as much of these vitamins and minerals in the dish. Overcooking results in a dark brown spinach dish with lots of gravy, of which most of the nutrients are lost.

With a wok, the cooking time is reduced, and the amount of water and flavour released by the spinach in the gravy will also lessen. The high heat is key to getting fresh, tasty and tender stir fry spinach.

Ingredients

All the ingredients for the dish: spinach, garlic, oyster sauce, sesame oil and cooking oil.

Spinach – I used “baby” spinach, which is another term for young spinach. Although they take a few rinses and soaking to clean properly, the effort is well worth it. Other leafy green vegetables that can be used include water spinach, watercress and kai lan.

Garlic – adds a wonderfully caramelized pungent contrast in between bites. As there is no herb that’s similar, it can be omitted if unavailable. Special mention of unscented cooking oil; it takes on the fragrance and taste of the caramelized garlic, and evenly coats the stir fry spinach with it.

Seasonings – I used oyster sauce and sesame oil for fragrance. Oyster sauce gives a lot of umami with some saltiness, so it can be substituted with salt to taste. Try not to add both oyster sauce and salt together as the stir fry spinach will be too salty. The sesame oil can be omitted if unavailable.

Cast Iron Wok – Although not an ingredient, it’s necessary for the super fast cooking of this recipe. Other woks will achieve the same result – but if using a non-stick pan, be sure to reduce the heat and observe the colour and fragrance in between steps instead of the cooking times. This is because non-stick coatings are sensitive to heat, and deteriorate faster in high-temperature cooking.

Steps

Here are the brief steps to make this Stir Fry Spinach recipe:

Steps 1 to 4: Cooking Stir Fry Spinach
  1. Heat cooking oil over medium heat. Add garlic and fry until slightly caramelized and fragrant.
  2. Add spinach and fry until slightly softened.
  3. Mix in oyster sauce and sesame oil.
  4. Serve

Tips

  • Try to get young spinach for this recipe – they are very tender and easy to eat, for both seniors and juniors in the house.
  • Using unscented oil allows it to take on the fragrance and taste of the caramelized garlic for the stir fry spinach.
  • A wok is an essential utensil for the short cooking time and smokey flavour. That said, a non-stick pan works well too.
  • When using a wok, try not to let the spinach be cooked for too long – it can change colour too fast, and more gravy will be released, which results in nutrients being lost.
  • Salt can be used to replace oyster sauce if unavailable.
  • Make sure to watch the full video to see how I made it exactly!

Storage Instructions

Once cooked, it’s best to consume immediately as the residual heat continues to cook the Stir Fry Spinach which may darken its appearance. Once cooled, it can be left at room temperature under a breathable food cover for less than a day.

It’s not recommended to store in the fridge or freeze. This is because heating up the Stir Fry Spinach may darken it and lose more nutrients. Freezing it causes ice crystals to change their cell structure, potentially turning its texture into mush.

Let’s Eat!

Chopsticks holding up some Stir Fry Spinach over a plate.

The colour of the stir fry spinach is bright green, as opposed to dark brown/ black when it’s overcooked.

It’s quite tender yet firm, juicy and with a slightly salty, smoky flavour that comes with a cast iron wok. Add fluffy white rice and it’s perfect as an accompaniment with any meat dish, or as a main dish for when you’re feeling lazy.

stir fry spinach garlic

Simple Stir Fry Spinach with Garlic

Somjit Najaireeb
Simple, fast with less than 3 minutes of cooking time, this Stir Fry Spinach dish is so quick and tasty, you will be amazed at the result.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 3 mins
Total Time 13 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 2
Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • cast iron wok
  • Turner

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp cooking oil, unscented
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 7 oz spinach, washed & cleaned
  • 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Instructions
 

  • In a wok over medium heat, heat up the cooking oil.
  • Add garlic and fry until slightly browned and fragrant. This takes about 10 – 20 seconds in a hot wok.
  • Add spinach and stir fry for 30 seconds, or until slightly softened.
  • Add oyster sauce and sesame oil. Stir for 10 seconds to mix the seasonings evenly.
  • Switch off the heat. Dish and serve immediately.

Notes

Tips

  • Try getting young spinach for this recipe – they are very tender and easy to eat, for both seniors and juniors in the house.
  • Using unscented oil allows it to take on the fragrance and taste of the caramelized garlic for the stir fry spinach.
  • A wok is an essential utensil for the short cooking time and smokey flavour. That said, a non-stick pan works well too.
  • When using a wok, try not to let the spinach be cooked for too long – it can change colour too fast, and more gravy will be released, which results in nutrients being lost.
  • Salt can be used to replace oyster sauce if unavailable.
  • Make sure to watch the full video to see how I made it exactly!

Storage Instructions

Best enjoyed fresh after cooking. It can be kept covered at room temperature after cooling for 1 day.
Not recommended to store in the fridge, or in the freezer.

Serve with

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 239mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
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