How to Steam Fresh Spinach in the Microwave

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Prepare healthy, homemade spinach in minutes with a microwave

3 Recipe Ratings

Co-authored by Jennifer Lease, RD, CDN

Last Updated: September 8, 2024

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It’s no secret that spinach is good for you. After all, it gave Popeye his superhuman strength! But did you know that you can steam spinach in your microwave? It’s true, and it’s super simple to do. To help you do it well, we’ve put together a handy list you can use to cook some delicious and nutritious spinach in a matter of minutes. Bon Appétit!

1

Wash fresh spinach in cold water and cut off thick stems.

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Remove any dirt from the leaves and trim them so they’re tender. If you’re using some freshly picked spinach that you picked up from a grocery store, farmer’s market, or if you grew the spinach yourself, it’s completely normal for the leaves to have some soil on them. Rinse the leaves under cool water and use your fingers to gently rub and remove any dirt from them. If there are any long, fibrous stems, use a knife or a pair of kitchen scissors to trim them off. Pat the leaves dry with a paper towel or let them air dry a bit before you cook them.^{[1]
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- The thin, green stems near the leaf are actually tender and tasty, but longer, thicker stems can be tough.
- Even if store-bought loose spinach looks clean, give it a good rinse just to be sure.

2

Use spinach-in-the-bag for a simple option.

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Save yourself some time without having to wash and trim the leaves. If you’re looking for the easiest way, pick up a bag of pre-washed, pre-packaged spinach. Because the leaves have already been thoroughly washed and trimmed, there’s no need for you to do anything but cook them!^{[2]
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- Most grocery stores sell pre-washed bags of spinach in the produce section.

3

Chop the leaves to make the spinach easier to eat.

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Use a stainless steel knife to avoid discoloration. Some people don’t love the longer leaves of cooked spinach. No problem! Place the spinach on a clean cutting board and use a stainless steel knife to chop it up into smaller pieces. It’ll cook down into a dish that’s much easier to chew and eat.^{[3]
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- Chopping the spinach doesn’t affect the flavor or the cooking time.

4

Place the spinach in a microwave-safe bowl or casserole dish.

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Add about 4 ounces (110 g) at a time. Place a few handfuls of spinach into a microwave-safe container such as a glass bowl or a casserole dish that’s designed to be used in a microwave, such as Corningware. Try not to overfill the container so the spinach cooks evenly.^{[4]
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- Don’t use plastic containers unless it’s microwave-safe. If you aren’t sure, don’t use it, just to be safe.
- If you have a larger container, you can add more spinach if you like.

5

Add butter, garlic, and lemon juice if you want.

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The spinach will soak up the flavors as it cooks. You can season the spinach after it cooks, but if you want to infuse it with more flavor, you can add some before you place it in the microwave. Add 2 tablespoons (17.24 grams) of minced garlic, 5 tablespoons (71 grams) of butter, and 2 tablespoons (32 mL) of lemon juice into the container.^{[5]
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- This is totally optional and you can add plenty of flavor by seasoning the spinach after it’s cooked.

6

Cover the dish to trap the steam.

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Use a microwave-safe lid, damp paper towel, or plastic wrap. If your container has a lid, place it on top. If you don’t have a lid, use a slightly damp paper towel or wrap the top of the container with plastic wrap so the steam doesn’t escape and will cook your spinach evenly.^{[6]
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- Make sure the lid is microwave-safe so it doesn’t melt or get damaged.

7

Microwave the spinach on high for 2 minutes.

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Place your container of spinach into the microwave and nuke it for 2 minutes on the highest heat setting. Once it’s finished cooking, give the spinach a minute or two to finish up and to allow the container to cool so it’s easier to remove without burning yourself.^{[7]
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8

Remove the container and carefully open the lid.

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Give it a quick stir to finish up any uncooked leaves. The container may be hot and the trapped steam could burn you. Use a pair of oven mitts or potholders to remove the container and place it on your counter. Carefully remove the lid and check the leaves. Stir it up to help finish cooking the spinach evenly.^{[8]
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- The spinach may not look fully cooked at first, but it’ll finish cooking after you stir it all together.

9

Drain the spinach to get rid of extra water.

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Extra water can turn your spinach into a mushy mess. Carefully pour out the excess at the bottom of the container into your sink so you’re left with crisp, steamed spinach.^{[9]
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10

Add any seasonings you like and give the spinach a good toss.

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Mix it all up and enjoy! You can add salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the spinach. You can also add seasonings like cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like a little bit of heat. Stir the spinach well to evenly distribute the seasonings and it’s ready to serve.^{[10]
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- You can also add the spinach to dishes such as pasta or rice.

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Tips

If your spinach still isn’t cooked enough even after you stir it all together, try microwaving it for another 30 seconds.

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Another great way to cook spinach is to saute it in a pan with a little bit of olive oil (which is a heart-healthy fat).

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Add spinach to a pasta or grain dish by draining the pasta or grain over the spinach in a colander to quickly cook it.

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