How to Steam Fresh Spinach in the Microwave

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Prepare healthy, homemade spinach in minutes with a microwave
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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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  1. 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]
    • 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.
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2

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

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  1. 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]
    • 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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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Spinach in a Microwave
    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]
    • Chopping the spinach doesn’t affect the flavor or the cooking time.
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4

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

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  1. 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]
    • 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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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Spinach in a Microwave
    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]
    • This is totally optional and you can add plenty of flavor by seasoning the spinach after it’s cooked.
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6

Cover the dish to trap the steam.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Spinach in a Microwave
    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]
    • 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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  1. 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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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Spinach in a Microwave
    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]
    • 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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  1. 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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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Spinach in a Microwave
    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]
    • 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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      Warnings

      • Don’t use a plastic container unless it’s microwave-safe. It could leach into the spinach.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/wic/recipes/how-to-wash-spinach.html
      2. ↑ https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-03-19-1995078034-story.html
      3. ↑ https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-03-19-1995078034-story.html
      4. ↑ https://microwavemealprep.com/microwave-spinach/
      5. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/162568/buttery-lemon-spinach/
      6. ↑ https://microwavemealprep.com/microwave-spinach/
      7. ↑ https://microwavemealprep.com/microwave-spinach/
      8. ↑ https://microwavemealprep.com/microwave-spinach/
      9. ↑ https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-03-19-1995078034-story.html
      1. ↑ https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-03-19-1995078034-story.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To steam spinach in a microwave, start by rinsing the leaves in cold water and cutting off any thick stems. You can also buy spinach in a bag that’s already washed and trimmed. If you like, cut the leaves into smaller pieces with a sharp kitchen knife to make them easier to eat. Next, put a few handfuls of the spinach into a microwave-safe bowl or casserole dish. If you want, mix in a bit of butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic for a boost of extra flavor. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to trap steam and help your spinach cook more evenly. Microwave the spinach on high for 2 minutes, then give it another minute or 2 to cool. Take off the cover and give the spinach a stir to distribute the heat more evenly. If there’s any excess liquid in the bottom of the container, strain the spinach to keep it from getting soggy. For tips on how to season and serve your steamed spinach, read on!

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