This Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach has everything you need in a side dish; a pop of green, a splash of creamy sauce, and tons of garlic!
Yep, folks, we have a winner! This small but mighty leafy green side dish will be the envy of your next potluck, and guests will be begging for your recipe!
Creamed spinach is a classic European dish that is well-loved across America, and it truly brings that comfort food feeling to any meal.
The traditional preparation of creamed spinach involves wilting fresh spinach and then combining it with a creamy sauce, typically made from butter, flour (to create a roux), milk or cream, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
However, for this recipe, the roux is swapped for cream cheese to give us a low-carb, high-fat creamy sauce that is perfect for keto diets.
Is Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Healthy?
Creamed spinach has become a classic dish across the world, not only for its taste, but also for its nutritional benefits. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, K, and various minerals, making this dish both comforting and healthy. Plus, it’s a great source of fiber, so this creamed spinach will help keep you feeling full between meals.
Blanching the spinach also makes it softer, so people who struggle to digest fiber may find that cooked spinach is easier to tolerate. However, it’s important to note that blanching doesn’t significantly reduce its fiber content, so it’s still not considered low in roughage.
Meanwhile, the cream cheese in this recipe is not a good source of high-fat protein. If you’d like to make this recipe healthier, swap the cream cheese for smooth cottage cheese, which is much higher in protein, lower in calories, and contains less saturated fat.
Is Spinach Keto-friendly?
That would be a definite YES! Dark, leafy greens like spinach are so important for our overall well-being; especially our skin, hair, and bone health. This fabulous superfood is not only high in nutrients, but it is also low-carb, making it a valuable food to incorporate into your meals if you are eating keto.
A keto diet is where you eat a very low-carb, low-sugar diet that focuses on high-fat and high-protein foods. By cutting out carbohydrates, you put your body into a state of ketosis, where it swaps from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat for energy.
How to make ahead and store
This is the ideal dish to make ahead if you have a busy day of cooking! Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or store it in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just let the spinach thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, just heat it gently on the stove or in the microwave until it is warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Now that you have your hot and ready keto creamed spinach, it’s time to pair it with some other delicious foods to make it a meal!
I recommend serving your spinach alongside this Keto Chicken Casserole, or a Keto Steak With Garlic Butter Mushrooms. You could also pair it with some Keto Salmon Patties, or perhaps some Keto Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers. It’s an easy side dish that adds color and nutritional value to any meal, so let your imagination run wild!
Ingredients
- 1 lb baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup onion diced
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 4 oz full-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Bring a very large pot of water to a boil, and when it's boiling, add in the baby spinach. Cook the spinach for 1 or 2 minutes, or until it turns a bright green color and has started to wilt, then drain the pot and transfer the spinach to a colander.
- In the same pot, lower the heat to medium and begin to melt the butter. Add in the onion and garlic and cook until slightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Add in the cream cheese, almond milk, nutmeg, and salt, and whisk until the mixture is smooth and melted. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has lightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Squeeze out as much water from the spinach as possible and then stir it into the pan until well coated in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Excellent flavor! Omitting a few of the onions also knocks off a few carbs. The extra olive oil shines through, too.
Glad to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks for reading.