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Spinach with Sesame and Garlic

Asian spinach recipe with sesame and garlic. A simple Korean method for cooking spinach.

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

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Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Spinach Sesame Garlic
Elise Bauer

I never get tired of eating spinach. Good thing it's so good for you!

This is a fun take on spinach, a Korean version, with the spinach wilted in sesame oil with garlic, and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.

I found the recipe years ago in Mark Bittman's The Best Recipes in the World. In typical Bittman style, the spinach is quick, easy, and good.

Updated, from the recipe archive. First posted November, 2005

Spinach with Sesame and Garlic

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Servings 2 to 4 servings
If you are using bagged baby spinach, the presoaking is not necessary, as that spinach is pretty clean. Also baby spinach does not need to be chopped. The spinach you get in bunches from the farmers market can have a lot of dirt at the root ball that needs to be washed out before you use the spinach.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons toasted (dark) sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound fresh spinach (if using mature spinach, soak in water to clean, drain, squeeze out excess water, remove and discard large stems, roughly chop leaves)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free version)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Method

  1. Toast the sesame seeds

    If you haven't already toasted the sesame seeds, do that first. Heat a stick-free skillet on medium high. Add raw sesame seeds and use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir.

    The seeds may make a popping noise and jump up, almost like popcorn. They will toast very quickly, so stir constantly until they begin to brown and smell like they are toasted.

    Remove from pan into a separate bowl as soon as they are done.

  2. Cook garlic and spinach in sesame oil

    Heat 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic. As soon as the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is completely wilted. Turn the heat to low.

    Elise Bauer
    Elise Bauer
  3. Add sugar and soy sauce

    Stir in the sugar and soy sauce. Remove from the heat. Add salt to taste.

    Serve hot, warm, room temperature, or cold, drizzled with the remaining sesame oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Adapted from The Best Recipes in the World.