Name: Easy Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp Unsalted butter; 4 cloves Garlic ((minced)); 10 oz Baby spinach; 1/2 cup Heavy cream; 4 oz Cream cheese ((cut into small pieces)); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp Sea salt; 1/4 tsp Black pepper; Parmesan cheese ((optional, for serving))

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Creamed spinach is one of those love-it-or-hate-it foods. I actually always thought I fell into the latter category. But, with Thanksgiving around the corner (tomorrow!), I thought I’d sneak in one more low carb side dish for your holiday table. And, when I figured out how to make creamed spinach with cream cheese, I discovered it tastes absolutely delicious. If you or one of your family members is on the fence about it, I hope this low carb keto creamed spinach recipe will convert you, too!

What Is Creamed Spinach?

Creamed spinach is a classic side dish popular for the holidays and at steakhouses.

The basic ingredients to make easy creamed spinach are – not surprisingly! – spinach and either milk or cream. Other popular additions to creamed spinach include garlic, Parmesan or other cheeses, nutmeg and various herbs.

What Does Creamed Spinach Taste Like?

The best creamed spinach recipe should taste rich, creamy and cheesy! Even if you are not a huge fan of spinach, these aspects make it totally delicious.

Is Creamed Spinach Keto? Healthy?

Sometimes creamed spinach is thickened with flour, but this is actually unnecessary. It’s really easy to make naturally gluten-free, low carb creamed spinach.

My version of creamed spinach with cream cheese gets thick simply from simmering the heavy cream. The cream cheese also acts as a thickener.

So, this is a keto creamed spinach recipe without any specialty ingredients. And, the whole family will enjoy it whether they are following a special diet or not.

The natural ingredients make it a healthy dish in my book, though it’s definitely not low fat if that’s what you are looking for.

How To Make Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese (without Flour!)

As a holiday dish, it may sound like the method for how to make creamed spinach should be complicated. That couldn’t be further from the truth!

It only takes 15 minutes to make this low carb creamed spinach recipe. And, it’s a great side dish to add to your table that won’t require turning on your oven.

To make this easy creamed spinach, simply saute the garlic, then the spinach. Add the cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook for a few minutes to thicken. Sprinkle with Parmesan to serve and you’re done!

This is one of the quickest side dishes, along with roasted garlic cauliflower, you could ever make, so it’s actually perfect for a weeknight, too.

Do I Have To Use Baby Spinach?

No, any fresh spinach will work. But, baby spinach will have a more mild flavor and is less bitter than full grown spinach.

Can I Use Frozen Spinach?

Yes, you can! Feel free to substitute 10 oz fresh spinach with 10 oz chopped frozen spinach instead.

If you use frozen spinach, thaw and drain well first. Squeeze it to get rid of extra water.

After that, the saute time after adding the spinach will be shorter, but the time after adding cream will be the same.

Can I Make Creamed Spinach in Advance?

Yes, you can! Low carb creamed spinach does taste slightly better fresh, but making it ahead is doable.

The process for how to make creamed spinach in advance is super simple. Prepare it as directed and cool completely. After that, refrigerate for a day or two.

When you are ready to serve your keto creamed spinach, just reheat in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally.

How Long Does Creamed Spinach Last?

The instructions for making this easy creamed spinach recipe ahead say to make it 1 to 2 days ahead. If you are serving it for guests, this is best.

However, if you just want to store leftovers for your family, you can get away with a bit longer.

In an airtight container, creamed spinach with cream cheese will last about 3 to 5 days. The reheating process is the same as above, but don’t be surprised if the color isn’t as bright as when it’s fresh.

What Does Creamed Spinach Go With?

The great thing about easy creamed spinach is it goes with just about anything! Here are a few ideas, both holiday and not:

Garlic herb butter turkey for Thanksgiving
Filet mignon for a special meal
Crispy baked chicken thighs for weeknight dinners
Slow cooker chicken wings for an effortless dinner
Sirloin steak in the oven for a true steakhouse-style plate
Slow cooker pot roast for a classic pairing

Easy Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe

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Tools To Make Low Carb Creamed Spinach

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Wood saute spatula – So cute and perfect for creamed spinach!
Large wok – Either a wok or saute pan will work, but a large wok will make it easier to fit all the spinach in there. This one also heats up evenly, which is a big plus.

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Ingredients

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3 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
10 oz Baby spinach ▢
1/2 cup Heavy cream ▢
4 oz Cream cheese (cut into small pieces) ▢
1 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Heat butter in a large saute pan or wok over medium heat. Add minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
Add spinach. Saute for 2 to 4 minutes, until wilted. If the pan is too full to stir or you can't fit all the spinach, add what you can and cover for 1-2 minutes, which will let the spinach at the bottom wilt. Then you can start to stir in a folding motion and add more as needed.
Add heavy cream, cream cheese, sea salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir constantly until the cream cheese melts, then cook a few minutes until thickened. (Sauce will thicken more as it cools from hot to warm.)
If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for serving.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/2 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 274

Fat 27g

Protein 4g

Total Carbs 5g

Net Carbs 4g

Fiber 1g

Sugar 1g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic, gluten-free, keto, low carb, spinach

Calories: 274 kcal

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140 Comments

Tricia
0 May 17, 2022Reply

Can leftovers be frozen?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 May 18, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Tricia, I don’t recommend freezing this dish.
Sandy
0 May 8, 2022Reply

Easy and delicious!!!
Irma LeCompte
0 May 3, 2022Reply

Thank u for this great recipe. I truly enjoy reading well prepared side dishes, That taste great and are good for u.
Christine
0 May 2, 2022Reply

Love it…… This was fantastic!! Super easy, that is what I love. I don’t want anything complicated or time consuming. I think it took me 10 minutes beginning to eating 😊😊 enjoy!!
Bridget W
0 March 31, 2022Reply

Excellent recipe. However, my one modification is that I add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a pinch of nutmeg along with the Italian seasoning. Adds a bit of depth and flavor. I like a small amount of heat but if you don’t you can still add the cayenne pepper but use less (say 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per bag of spinach)… The nutmeg I add is in the 1/2 tsp range (I don’t actually measure, just eyeball it… But it’s always about 1/2 tsp per bag of spinach. Thank you for sharing this recipe. It’s one of our favorites!
Joyce
0 February 20, 2022Reply

Can this recipe be made with frozen spinach?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 February 21, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Joyce, There is a whole section in the post about using frozen spinach.
Dana
0 February 12, 2022Reply

This was divine, just delicious. I used whipped cream cheese because that’s what I had, omitted Italian seasoning because I didn’t have, and swapped one tbs butter for one tbs garlic-infused olive oil. Will absolutely make again! Thank you!
Grace
0 January 19, 2022Reply

Delicious! This is a great recipe, coming from a girl who thought the idea of creamed spinach was unappetizing and that spinach was fine in its natural form. I have made it several times, sometimes using light cream cheese or half and half, and still delicious. Thank you!
Wholesome Yum A
0 January 10, 2022Reply

I’ve always made creamed spinach this way, and it’s unbelievably easy and delicious! I’ve used it to stuff chicken, mushrooms, and fish, and on its own as a side. My husband went Keto just before his birthday, and I’ve been panicking, thinking I’d have to scramble to learn how to cook for him, so I was psyched to find out that my favorite side to make fits in his new lifestyle! And it’ll go GREAT with his steak dinner!