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This keto creamed spinach is a rich and creamy low-carb side dish! This creamy dip is gluten-free, kid-friendly, and easy to make too! Spinach, garlic, cream cheese, and parmesan combine to create a decadent side in only 15 minutes.Creamed spinach is a classic dish found on steakhouse menus and family dinner tables everywhere. It checks all the boxes for a perfect side dish - creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-good! Heavy cream, cream cheese, and parmesan thicken into a rich cream sauce even the kids will gobble up. This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use spinach.
The best part about this keto creamed spinach recipe is how simple it is to make! You only need seven ingredients, 15 minutes, and one pot to whip it up! If you've never had low-carb creamed spinach, it's similar to spinach dip, but you get to devour it like it's part of the meal.
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Traditional creamed spinach recipes contain flour to help thicken the mixture, but I find this step unnecessary. Without flour, this recipe has barely any carbs and is naturally gluten free. One serving of this keto creamy spinach is only 4 grams of net carbs. It's fancy enough for the holidays or special occasions but easy enough for a busy weeknight! You can't go wrong with this low-carb spinach recipe.
👩🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- The best creamed spinach recipe in only 15 minutes.
- This classic side dish is great any time of year.
- Perfect for those on a keto or low carb diet.
- Leafy greens are rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
- This delicious side dish has 4 grams of total carbs per serving.
- Fancy enough for thanksgiving dinner, easy enough for a Tuesday!
- Even picky eaters will love it.
🥘 Ingredients
Easy keto creamed spinach is made with seven basic ingredients plus salt and pepper. Three of the main ingredients are dairy products, but don't worry! You can make this recipe dairy-free and vegan too (see variations below). For the detailed ingredients list and nutritional information, see the recipe card below.
Butter: Butter is used to sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Olive oil works great too.
Onion: Onions mellow and sweeten as they cook. You can use white, yellow, or sweet onions with great results. To cut back on prep time, buy pre-diced onions from the refrigerated section near the produce.
Garlic: Garlic's nutty taste gives a boost of flavor to savory dishes. You can buy it raw or pre-minced. A jar of minced garlic will last up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
Baby Spinach: Spinach is very low in carbs, which makes it perfect for the ketogenic diet! It's a powerhouse vegetable packed with nutrients. Baby spinach is best because it has a milder flavor than regular spinach. The tender and small leaves cook quickly and don't need to be chopped. You can use frozen or fresh spinach in this recipe. Frozen spinach will need to thaw first so you can squeeze out any excess water.
Salt & Pepper: Don't forget to season! Sometimes, the difference between a flat dish and an outstanding one is just a bit of salt and black pepper. Sometimes I'll add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning too.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese forms the base of the cheesy sauce! Sour cream would also work in a pinch.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan is a key ingredient for this classic side dish. It's nutty, salty, and cheesy! It's best to grate your own but pre-grated or shaved parmesan works fine too.
Heavy Cream: Heavy whipping cream brings all the melty cheeses together, and is an easy way to thicken the sauce without any flour!
📖 Variations
Customize this easy creamed spinach recipe to fit your dietary needs and preferences.
- No Cream Cheese: Replace the cream cheese with 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream.
- Healthy Creamed Spinach with Greek Yogurt: Replace the cream cheese with Greek yogurt. Use olive oil in place of butter and cashew milk in place of the heavy cream.
- Low-Fat Creamed Spinach: Replace the heavy cream with fat-free half and half. Use fat-free cream cheese in place of regular cream cheese. Follow the recipe as directed.
- Healthy Creamed Spinach: To make this recipe even healthier, use olive oil in place of butter, cashew milk in place of cream, and small curd cottage cheese in place of the cream cheese.
- Low-Calorie Creamed Spinach: If you're simply looking to cut calories, replace the cream cheese with fat-free cream cheese and the heavy cream with fat-free half and half. It's that easy to make a low-cal creamed spinach.
- Vegan: Use plant-based alternatives for the dairy products. Kite-hill has a delicious vegan cream cheese. Cashew milk is a mild and creamy alternative for the cream. A health food store will give you the best variety and options.
🔪 Instructions
This is a family favorite recipe! It's so simple and comes together in a snap.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, sauté the butter and onion over medium heat, cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. This will keep the garlic from burning.
Add Spinach: Add 10 ounces of spinach leaves and sauté until wilted.
Simmer With Cream: Add the cream and turn to medium-high heat. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the cream starts to thicken.
Stir In Cheese: Add the cream cheese and grated parmesan and stir to combine then cook until the sauce starts to thicken up.
Season: Season and enjoy!
❓ Recipe FAQs
Can I make keto creamed spinach ahead of time?
Yes! You can make this recipe 1-2 days ahead and refrigerate it until it's ready to serve. Reheat on the stove top on low heat until heated through. Alternatively, you can pop it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until hot and bubbly. Top with extra parmesan and mozzarella cheese if desired!
How long does creamed spinach last?
This low cal creamed spinach will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Since it's made with heavy cream and cream cheese, it's best enjoyed within the first 3 days!
How should I store creamed spinach?
Let the cooked spinach cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and then refrigerate until ready to eat. Reheat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. I don't recommend freezing this recipe, as the creamy texture of the dish will get denatured when frozen and then thawed.
How should I serve low carb creamed spinach?
This tasty side dish is a great addition to any spread, but goes especially well with pan-seared steaks, roasted chicken, air fryer tofu, loaded baked potatoes, or roasted salmon.
Is spinach keto?
Yes! Spinach is keto friendly. Leafy green veggies are an important part of a keto diet, and spinach especially is very low in carbs. 1 cup of spinach has 1.1 grams of total carbs and only 0.4 grams of net carbs. This versatile dish is the perfect way to enjoy spinach when you're looking for a low carb option!
💭 Expert Tips
- Flour isn't necessary to thicken creamed spinach!
- Use baby spinach for the best texture and flavor.
- This easy side dish recipe doesn't need a thickening agent. The heavy cream and cream cheese will thicken up the sauce on their own.
- If you choose to use frozen spinach, be sure to let it thaw and squeeze out the extra water. The extra liquid will make the dish runny instead of creamy.
- While frozen spinach can be used, raw spinach has a superior flavor!
- Adjust the thickness by adding more or less cream cheese.
- To add additional flavor try adding ½ tsp ground nutmeg.