Delicious and Creamy Vegan Creamed Spinach Recipe
Welcome to my vegan creamed spinach recipe! I’m excited to share this recipe with you. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also dairy-free and perfect for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or looking for a healthier option. Even if you’re not vegan, I promise you’ll love this recipe.
The recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, and it’s easy to make. Whether you’re making a side dish for a holiday meal or planning a dinner party, vegan creamed spinach is the perfect addition to any menu.
The recipe can be made using fresh or frozen spinach, so no matter what’s available at your local grocery store, you can still enjoy this wonderful dish. The seasoning of salt, pepper, and nutmeg gives the dish depth and richness that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
I hope you enjoy my vegan creamed spinach recipe as much as my family and I do. So let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you craving a warm and comforting meal that is also vegan? Look no further than this Creamed Spinach recipe! Not only is it dairy-free, but it is also packed with nutrients and flavor. Here are just a few reasons why you will fall in love with this recipe:
First and foremost, the taste is absolutely divine. The combination of fresh spinach, garlic, onion, and a touch of nutmeg offers a burst of flavor that will keep you coming back for more. Add in the creamy texture from the vegan creamed spinach sauce made with cashew milk and silken tofu, and you have a dish that will warm both your belly and your heart.
But it’s not just about the delicious taste – this Creamed Spinach recipe is also incredibly healthy. Spinach is loaded with vitamins and minerals like iron, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, and more. And by using plant-based ingredients like unsalted cashews and nutritional yeast to create the creamy texture, you can rest assured knowing that you are fueling your body with wholesome, nutritious ingredients.
Plus, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Whether you choose to use fresh or frozen chopped spinach or add in other greens like baby spinach or cauliflower, there are so many different ways to make this dish your own. You can even serve it over pasta for a complete meal or pair it with your favorite roasted vegetables.
In summary, this vegan Creamed Spinach recipe offers both health benefits and mouth-watering flavor. Whether you are a long-time vegan or just looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, this dish is sure to impress. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients we’ll need to make this delicious creamed spinach recipe:
Ingredients 1:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 20 oz (1.25 lbs) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess water
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredients 2:
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 yellow onions, finely diced
- 3 pounds fresh or frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess water
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of unsalted cashews
- Juice of one lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (adjust based on how cheesy you like your creamed spinach)
Optional: add diced mushrooms for a vegan mushroom creamed spinach.
These common ingredients help bring out the flavor in the dish while keeping it dairy free. The ingredients are available in most grocery stores, so there’s no need to worry about making a special trip.
The Recipe How-To
Now, this is the exciting part–let’s dive into how to make this delicious vegan creamed spinach recipe! Don’t worry about any complicated kitchen skills; this recipe is beginner-friendly and super easy to follow.
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
First, gather all of your ingredients together. You will need:
- Frozen chopped spinach (20 oz)
- Canola oil (2 tablespoons)
- Garlic cloves (5 cloves minced)
- Onion (1 white or yellow onion finely diced)
- Nutritional yeast (2-3 tablespoons)
- Vegan butter (3 tablespoons)
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons)
- Fresh ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
- Nutmeg (a pinch)
If you prefer using fresh spinach, you can substitute frozen chopped spinach with 3 pounds of fresh spinach. This recipe works well with fresh or frozen spinach so feel free to use what works best for you.
Step 2: Cooking the Spinach Mixture
Next, heat up the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic into the skillet and stir until they are aromatic and have softened for about 5 minutes. Then, add in the defrosted frozen chopped spinach to the skillet and mix until completely heated through.
Step 3: Adding Creaminess
Now it’s time to add some creamy and cheesy goodness to the mix. Add vegan butter into your skillet and allow it to melt into the mixture. Gradually add nutritional yeast, stirring constantly until it has melted into the mixture.
Step 4: Seasoning
Season your spinach mixture with your desired amount of salt, fresh ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. These ingredients will give your creamed spinach that signature flavor that everyone loves.
Step 5: A Little Thickening Agent
Purpose flour is a healthy thickening agent that works magically in vegan cream sauces without all that dairy fat. Slowly sprinkle in flour while continuously stirring until all combined.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Lastly, do a final taste-test for seasoning adjustments, then cook down for another five minutes until satisfied with the flavor and texture. And there you have it! Your vegan creamed spinach recipe is now ready to serve!
Keep in mind that this recipe is very versatile so you can experiment using any other cream sauce or gluten-free variations such as cornstarch or arrowroot powder as your thickening agents instead of wheat-based flours.
Now it’s time to share your delicious creamed greens side dish with friends and family or alongside your favorite main courses like pasta, cauliflower steaks or other vegan pasta dishes.
Bon appétit!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to put your own unique spin on this creamed spinach recipe? Well, you’re in luck because there are plenty of tasty substitutions and variations that you can try out.
For starters, if you’re not a fan of frozen spinach, you can use fresh spinach instead! Just make sure to remove any tough stems and chop the leaves before cooking. And speaking of greens, why not swap the spinach for kale or collard greens? Both of these leafy vegetables would work great in this recipe.
If you’re looking to make this dish gluten-free, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour alternative. And if you’re trying to avoid dairy, don’t worry – there are plenty of dairy-free substitutes available. In this recipe, I suggest using vegan butter and nutritional yeast in place of traditional butter and cheese.
But that’s not all! You can also get creative with your seasonings by adding different herbs and spices to give your creamed spinach a unique flavor. For example, try adding some rosemary or thyme for an earthy taste, or perhaps some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
If you want to make this recipe even heartier, consider adding some protein-rich ingredients like tofu or chickpeas. And if you’re looking for a fun way to serve this dish, try stuffing it into pasta shells or serving it on top of cauliflower “rice”.
So don’t be afraid to get creative with this creamed spinach recipe! With so many delicious substitutions and variations available, the possibilities are endless.
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have a delicious dish of vegan creamed spinach, it’s time to think about how to serve and pair it for the best experience. This rich and creamy spinach recipe is a perfect side dish for many meals, or even as an appetizer on toast or crackers.
If you’re serving it as a side dish, I recommend pairing it with some roasted vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or butternut squash. It would also pair great with some seared tofu, tempeh, or other plant-based protein source.
For meals in which an outright vegetable is needed for a balanced diet, pairing the creamed spinach with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice would create an amazing combination. Alternatively, you could also add it to pasta dishes such as vegan ravioli or spaghetti.
And if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, why don’t you try it in the classic Wisconsin-style way by serving it over a baked potato for a supremely satisfying taste?
In any case, this vegan creamed spinach recipe is versatile enough where you can feel free to experiment until you find what works best for your tastes. Regardless of how you decide to serve and pair your vegan creamed spinach, your taste buds are sure to be delighted with its creamy texture and mouthwatering combination of flavors.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of my favorite things about creamed spinach is that it can easily be made ahead of time and reheated for later. This makes it a great dish for those busy weeknights or when entertaining guests.
To make ahead: After preparing the creamed spinach, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to a month.
To reheat: If frozen, thaw the creamed spinach in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to reheat, simply transfer it to a skillet on medium heat, adding a splash of water or vegetable broth to loosen up the mixture. Be sure to stir occasionally until heated through.
When storing leftovers in the fridge, keep in mind that the texture may change a bit as the spinach will release more liquid as it sits. If you find that your creamed spinach has become too watery after being stored, simply reheat it on low heat with an additional tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast or all-purpose flour.
Overall, creamed spinach is a versatile dish that can be made ahead of time and reheated with ease while still maintaining its delicious flavor and texture. It’s perfect for meal prep and makes for great leftovers for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Tips for Perfect Results
As a vegan chef, I’ve had a lot of experience making creamed spinach. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect vegan creamed spinach recipe:
1. Use fresh spinach if possible. Frozen spinach works well in this recipe, but fresh spinach will give you an extra boost of flavor.
2. When using frozen spinach, be sure to squeeze out all the excess water before adding it to the pan with your other ingredients. This will help prevent your creamed spinach from turning watery or runny.
3. Be sure to use a dairy-free cream substitute that suits your tastes. You can try using canned coconut milk, unsweetened cashew milk, or even silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast to give your dish a cheesy flavor.
4. Don’t skimp on the seasonings! The combination of garlic, onion, and nutmeg gives this dish its signature flavor. Fresh ground black pepper and a pinch of salt also enhance the taste.
5. If you want your creamed spinach to have a thicker consistency, try adding some gluten-free flour or cornstarch along with the vegan butter or oil when sautéing onions and garlic.
6. Try adding some lemon juice along with the seasonings for a hint of brightness that balances out the richness of the creamed spinach.
7. Experiment with different types of onions – yellow onions or white onions can be used for varied flavors and textures
Remember that there’s no one “right” way to make vegan creamed spinach – everyone’s taste buds are different! These tips are simply suggestions that I’ve found helpful over the years when perfecting my dish.
Now that you have these tips, you’re ready to get started on making your own delicious and creamy serving of vegetarian goodness!
FAQ
Now that you have all the necessary information for making a delicious vegan creamed spinach, you might still have some questions in mind. In this section, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions and give you some useful tips on how to cook this dish to perfection. So, let’s dive right in and address your concerns about this tasty recipe!
Is creamed spinach good or bad for you?
This dish is packed with essential nutrients to fuel your body, including ample amounts of vitamin A and folate, as well as good sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
What is cream of spinach made of?
In this recipe, we’ll create a delectable side dish that combines tender spinach leaves with a velvety white sauce infused with the flavors of sautéed onion and garlic. Don’t let the name fool you, this is not your ordinary spinach dish. If you think creamed spinach is just spinach and heavy cream mixed together, think again. We’ll show you how to make a luscious creamed spinach that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
Is creamed spinach good for diabetics?
Spinach is a highly nutritious vegetable that proves to be an excellent addition to a diabetic diet. It has minimal impact on blood sugar levels, making it an ideal option, especially for those who follow a diet rich in fibre and protein.
Can I use canned spinach instead of fresh?
It’s great to know that canned spinach can provide the same nutritional value as fresh spinach. Furthermore, it is a more affordable option and contains a high amount of vitamin C at a significant savings.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this vegan creamed spinach recipe is a game-changer for those who love their greens. Without compromising on taste and texture, you can enjoy a healthy and creamy side dish that is completely dairy-free. This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides essential nutrients to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Take the first step towards indulging in this delicious recipe by following the simple instructions and making use of the helpful tips and variations. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your ingredients and make it your own. You can even pair it with pasta or use it as a topping for roasted vegetables.
With this recipe, you can impress your guests, indulge in a satisfying meal or enjoy a nutritious snack. And did I mention that this vegan creamed spinach is diabetic-friendly? So don’t miss out on an opportunity to enjoy a tasty treat while maintaining a healthy diet.
So what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen, grab your ingredients and let the cooking begin! With fresh ground black pepper, nutritional yeast, salt, nutmeg, frozen chopped spinach, canola oil, garlic cloves and onion in hand, you’re already halfway there. Bon appétit!
Creamed Spinach (Vegan) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 250 g soy cream or 250 g oat cream
- 600 g frozen chopped spinach, partly or fully defrosted
- 1 -2 pinch nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender.
- Add cream, salt, and nutmeg.
- Add spinach and mix well.*.
- Add yeast if using.
- Add beadcrumbs.
- Simmer around 5 minutes.
- Add pepper, stir and serve!
- *I defrost the spinach at least partially in the microwave first.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.