Creamed Spinach
Fresh spinach and double cream come together in this vegetarian — 65 minutes, 7 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for saucepan and pan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Wash the spinach thoroughly in plenty of cold water, then drain it well, discarding any tough stalks.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil, drop in the spinach for about 30 seconds until just wilted, then immediately plunge it into iced water to keep it bright green.
- Squeeze the cooled spinach hard with your hands to remove as much water as possible, then chop it finely and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add the finely chopped garlic and soften for 30 seconds, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to make a smooth roux without colouring it.
- Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time, then the cream, and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until you have a thick, smooth sauce.
- Fold the chopped spinach into the sauce and warm through for 2 to 3 minutes until piping hot.
- Season generously with salt, black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg, then serve at once.
You'll use: Saucepan · Pan · Large pot · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
- Double Cream
- heavy cream · whipping cream
Tips & common questions
How long does Creamed Spinach take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Creamed Spinach vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Creamed Spinach is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Creamed Spinach with Nueske's Bacon.jpg by Arnold Gatilao, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.