This delicious Vegan Creamed Spinach recipe is so easy to make! With just 7 ingredients, this quick 10-minute side dish is healthy and naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and allergy-free! Creamy, slightly cheesy, and perfect for the holidays or a weeknight dinner, everyone will love this classic flavorful spinach dish!
The best way to serve spinach? Creamed of course! This creamy, buttery, cheesy spinach recipe is packed with flavor, rich, and decadent but cuts out all the dairy from the classic dish! Love it or hate it, this dish will have everyone loving spinach, making it a perfect side dish to serve during the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, or a restaurant-worthy dinner at home to impress your guests!
Is Creamed Spinach Healthy?
Creamed spinach is a decadent side dish you'll often see on fancy steakhouse restaurant menus. Typically made with spinach (the only healthy ingredient), cream, butter, and cheeses. Probably the most unhealthy way to eat spinach! Similar to spinach artichoke dip, except it's not baked and spinach is the only star. Spinach is technically healthier when slightly cooked, but loading it down with all the heavy fats and calories from dairy is a big no-no.
Why You'll Love This Low-Carb Recipe
This healthier dairy-free and keto recipe is just as delicious and flavorful, but uses more nutritious ingredients and will sit better in your stomach! This vegan recipe is:
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan & Vegetarian
- Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Fish-Free, Shellfish-Free, Coconut-Free, Corn-Free)
- Paleo & Grain-Free
- Keto & Low-Carb
- Sugar-Free
- Kid-Friendly
- One-Pot, Simple, Quick, & Easy
- Healthier Side Dish & Perfect For Holidays
Ingredients For Vegan Creamed Spinach
- Spinach: Tender, raw baby spinach leaves will give you the best flavor and ease of use! No trimming long stems which you may find with whole spinach bunches.
- Onion: Yellow onion will give this simple dish a ton of flavor! You can also use sweet Vidalia, but yellow onion gives a sharper flavor in lieu of other seasonings.
- Garlic + Salt + Pepper: Some minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste are the only seasonings you need for this creamed spinach!
- Vegan Butter: Vegan butter adds a subtle richness to the dish and helps to saute the onion, garlic, and spinach!
- Gluten-Free Flour or Vegan Cream Cheese: To thicken this creamed spinach you can use all-purpose gluten-free flour or an equal amount of vegan cream cheese! Vegan cream cheese will keep this recipe as low-carb as possible if you prefer.
- Nutritional Yeast: For a cheesy flavor without the actual cheese, nutritional yeast is the best plant-based and protein-packed alternative! You can leave the nutritional yeast out if you prefer a non-cheesy creamed spinach!
- Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Using full-fat coconut milk will give your vegan creamed spinach the creamiest and richest taste and texture. However, you can use any non-dairy milk you have on hand, just note that you may need more thickener (gluten-free flour or dairy-free cream cheese).
Can You Use Frozen Spinach?
If you opt to use frozen spinach, make sure it is whole-leaf spinach for the best texture. Thaw the spinach beforehand and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. You'll want to add the spinach at the end after you've sauteed the onion and made the creamy sauce since the spinach is already cooked.
Other Ingredient Variations
- Seasonings: You can flavor your creamed spinach however you'd like! Add in dried herbs or spices like a pinch of nutmeg! Add some heat by adding in some cayenne pepper.
- Vegan Bacon: If you want to add a touch of smokiness and crunch, you can add some vegan coconut bacon to your creamed spinach before serving.
- Vegan Sour Cream: In lieu of flour or cream cheese, another great option is using some vegan sour cream to thicken your creamed spinach and give it a nice tang!
- Vegan Parmesan: You can add even more natural vegan cheesy flavor by sprinkling on some homemade vegan parmesan cheese to the top of your dish!
- Add a dash of hot sauce for more spice or add a splash of coconut aminos for a salty umami taste!
- Use half kale and half spinach for a texture and flavor mash-up! Note that the kale may take longer to soften so you should chop it finely.
How To Make Vegan Creamed Spinach
- Melt the butter in a skillet on the stove before adding your onion, garlic, and seasonings to saute. Add your raw spinach and allow it to wilt (cover the pan if needed).
- Next, add in your non-dairy milk, thickener of choice (flour or cream cheese), and nutritional yeast.
- Mix everything together and simmer the creamed spinach until it thickens about 3-4 minutes.
- Taste the dish and adjust seasonings if needed.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Bring the non-dairy milk and cream cheese (if using) to room temperature before adding it to the hot pan. This will prevent any separation.
- For thicker creamed spinach, add more flour or cream cheese to the dish. For a thinner final dish, add a splash or two more of non-dairy milk after you've removed the dish from the heat. This recipe thickens as it cools.
- If using frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible and add the spinach in after you mixed together the liquid ingredients and the cream has thickened.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Storing Leftovers: You can store leftover creamed spinach in a closed container in the fridge for 4-5 days. If making the dish ahead of time, I'd recommend no more than 3 days in advance.
- How To Reheat: Add the leftover vegan creamed spinach to a pan on the stove and slowly warm the dish over medium-low heat until the dish has loosened up. Add a splash of non-dairy milk to help get the mixture creamy again and loosen up. You can also reheat individual portions quickly in the microwave if you're short on time.
- Freezing: Not ideal, but to freeze the cooked creamed spinach, allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container or freezer bag with as much air sucked out as possible. Freeze for up to 4-5 months. Thaw the frozen dish in the fridge overnight before following the reheating instructions written above. The consistency of the dish may deteriorate due to the nature of freezing cream-based dishes.
What To Serve With Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach goes so well with hearty comfort food and holiday dinners! Serve it alongside this vegan lentil loaf, mushroom stroganoff, shepherd's pie, stuffed shells, or gluten-free ziti. Pair it with meaty dishes like a whole roast chicken or baked salmon!
More Delicious Vegan Side Dishes:
- Old-Fashioned Vegan Baked Beans
- Oven Roasted Carrots
- Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing
- Vegan Corn Casserole
Vegan Creamed Spinach
This delicious Vegan Creamed Spinach recipe is so easy to make! With just 7 ingredients, this quick 10-minute side dish is healthy and naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and allergy-free! Creamy, slightly cheesy, and perfect for the holidays or a weeknight dinner, everyone will love this classic flavorful spinach dish!
- Prep Time: 3 Minutes
- Cook Time: 7 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb Baby Spinach*
- ½ Cup Chopped Yellow Onion
- ½ to 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- 2 TB Vegan Butter
- 2 TB Gluten-Free Flour or Vegan Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1 TB Nutritional Yeast (optional)
- 1 ½ Cups Full Fat Unsweetened Coconut Milk*
Instructions
- Melt the vegan butter in a large skillet on the stove before adding the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Saute for 2-3 minutes until the onion and garlic and fragrant.
- Add the raw spinach to the pan and allow it to wilt in the pan over medium heat. Cover the pan to wilt the spinach faster, stirring occasionally until all leaves are softened.
- Add the flour or cream cheese, nutritional yeast, and non-dairy milk to the cooked spinach. Stir everything together until the mixture thickens, adjusting the amount of liquid or thickener as needed.
- Taste the dish to adjust any seasonings before removing the pan from the heat and serving.
Notes
- Use ½ lb of frozen and thawed spinach if you are not using fresh. If using frozen, add the spinach in after you've made the cream sauce.
- You can use any non-dairy milk you have on hand. You may need to increase the amount of flour or cream cheese you use in the recipe to thicken it properly.
- Storing Leftovers: You can store leftover creamed spinach in a closed container in the fridge for 4-5 days. If making the dish ahead of time, I'd recommend no more than 3 days in advance.
- How To Reheat: Add the leftover vegan creamed spinach to a pan on the stove and slowly warm the dish over medium-low heat until the dish has loosened up. Add a splash of non-dairy milk to help get the mixture creamy again. You can also reheat individual portions quickly in the microwave if you're short on time.
- Freezing: Allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container or freezer bag with as much air sucked out as possible. Freeze for up to 4-5 months. Thaw the frozen dish in the fridge overnight before following the above-reheating instructions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
Who said getting your dark leafy greens in was difficult? This healthy creamed spinach recipe will have everyone demanding a second helping!
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite way to use spinach? Chinese spinach is my favorite; just give it to me raw!
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