Transform your dinner routine with this incredibly simple yet utterly delicious **Easy Keto Low-Carb Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach**. This recipe redefines convenience, allowing you to whip up a rich, savory side dish using just frozen chopped spinach, cream cheese, and sour cream (or a healthier alternative like plain Greek yogurt) in a mere 5 minutes of cook time in your Instant Pot. Forget lengthy preparations; this dish is designed for speed and flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment for busy weeknight dinners or a standout addition to festive holiday tables like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Detailed measurements and full instructions are provided in the comprehensive recipe card below. This article will guide you through making the best creamed spinach from scratch, exploring its health benefits, and offering versatile serving suggestions. We’ll also dive into common questions and variations to help you perfect this delightful side dish.
For years, creamed spinach has been a staple order for me at upscale steakhouses, a testament to its luxurious appeal. I’ve even seen renowned chefs like Martha Stewart feature their versions of this classic side. Inspired by these experiences and the desire for efficiency, I set out to perfect an Instant Pot version that delivers exceptional taste without the time commitment. The result is a foolproof recipe that brings restaurant-quality creamed spinach to your home kitchen with minimal effort.
Table of Contents
How to Make the Best Creamed Spinach from Scratch
Creating the absolute best creamed spinach involves a careful selection of ingredients and a simple, yet effective cooking method. Our recipe leverages the power of the Instant Pot to achieve perfectly tender spinach enveloped in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. The core components include high-quality spinach (whether fresh or frozen), aromatic garlic and onions, a luxurious blend of cream cheese and sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and subtle seasoning with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. To finish, a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds an irresistible salty, umami depth.
The process begins by sautéing your garlic and onions until fragrant, building a foundational layer of flavor. This simple step is crucial for unlocking their sweetness and pungency. Once the aromatics are softened, all the remaining ingredients – except the Parmesan cheese – are added to the Instant Pot. The magic of pressure cooking then takes over, quickly transforming the spinach and dairy into a cohesive, creamy mixture. After the cooking cycle, a quick stir of Parmesan cheese melts into the warm spinach, contributing to its signature cheesy goodness.
Choosing Your Spinach: Fresh vs. Frozen
While fresh spinach can certainly be used, frozen chopped spinach is a fantastic, time-saving option for creamed spinach. It’s often more economical and equally nutritious. The key difference lies in the water content. Frozen spinach, especially the block-style, can release a lot of liquid, potentially making your dish watery. Our recipe recommends using bagged frozen spinach which tends to be less compacted and easier to manage, or ensure you thoroughly defrost and squeeze out excess water from block spinach.
The Creamy Base: Beyond Traditional Cream
Many traditional creamed spinach recipes rely heavily on heavy cream or milk. Our keto-friendly version achieves its luxurious texture using a clever combination of full-fat cream cheese and sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Cream cheese provides a tangy richness and helps thicken the sauce, while sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a delightful tang and lightens the texture slightly. This blend ensures a rich, satisfying creaminess without the need for additional thickeners or higher-carb dairy.
Aromatic Boosters: Garlic, Onion, and Nutmeg
The flavor profile of exceptional creamed spinach is elevated by carefully chosen aromatics. Sautéing finely chopped onions until translucent brings out their natural sweetness, providing a subtle depth. Minced garlic, added just after the onions, infuses the dish with its unmistakable pungent and savory notes. Finally, a touch of freshly grated nutmeg is the secret ingredient that binds all the flavors together, adding a warm, slightly earthy undertone that complements spinach beautifully. Don’t skip the nutmeg – it makes a significant difference!
Is Creamed Spinach Healthy for You? Exploring Keto & Low-Carb Benefits
One of the standout features of this Instant Pot Creamed Spinach recipe is its health-conscious profile. It’s meticulously crafted to be low in carbohydrates, making it an excellent choice for those adhering to keto, low-carb, and sugar-free lifestyles. Unlike many restaurant versions that might pack in hidden sugars or excessive starches, our recipe focuses on nutrient-dense spinach and healthy fats, ensuring you get maximum flavor and nutrition without derailing your dietary goals.
The Power of Spinach
Spinach itself is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s rich in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. These nutrients contribute to bone health, immune function, eye health, and energy production. By making spinach the star of this dish, you’re boosting your intake of essential micronutrients in a truly delicious way. Even when cooked, spinach retains a significant portion of its beneficial compounds.
Keto-Friendly Fats
For individuals following a ketogenic diet, the inclusion of cream cheese and sour cream (or full-fat Greek yogurt) provides the necessary healthy fats that are central to maintaining ketosis. These ingredients not only contribute to the rich, satisfying texture of the creamed spinach but also offer a good source of energy and fat-soluble vitamins. This balance of healthy fats and low-carb vegetables makes this dish both satisfying and perfectly aligned with a keto approach to eating.
Can You Make Creamed Spinach with Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt)?
Absolutely! Sour cream is a fantastic ingredient for creamed spinach, and it’s a star in this very recipe. Its tangy flavor and creamy texture contribute significantly to the overall richness and depth of the dish. It also helps to create that desired velvety consistency without the need for heavier, more calorie-dense creams. For those looking for an alternative with a similar profile but potentially higher protein or lower fat, plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute. It offers a comparable tang and creaminess, making it a versatile choice for this recipe.
Crafting Creamed Spinach Without Heavy Cream (Dairy-Free Options Too!)
Despite its name, our Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach recipe ingeniously achieves its creamy texture without relying on any heavy cream or milk. This is excellent news for those who prefer to limit their intake of these specific dairy products or are looking for lighter alternatives. The combination of cream cheese and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) provides all the necessary body and richness. These ingredients melt down beautifully under pressure, forming a luscious sauce that coats every strand of spinach.
If you’re aiming for a completely dairy-free version, creamed spinach might seem challenging, but it’s not impossible! You would need to explore dairy-free alternatives for the cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan. There are many plant-based cream cheeses and sour creams available on the market made from ingredients like cashews, almonds, or coconut. Similarly, nutritional yeast can mimic a cheesy flavor, and many brands offer dairy-free grated Parmesan substitutes. With these alternatives, you can still enjoy a delicious, creamy spinach dish tailored to your dietary needs.
Elevate Your Meal: Serving Suggestions for Garlic Creamed Spinach
This versatile side dish isn’t just easy to make; it’s also incredibly adaptable to a variety of meals and occasions. Its rich, garlicky flavor and creamy texture make it a perfect complement to many main courses, from simple weeknight dinners to elaborate holiday feasts.
Classic Pairings
Creamed spinach is a traditional accompaniment to red meat. Think juicy steaks, tender prime rib, or a perfectly roasted beef tenderloin. The robust flavors of the meat are beautifully balanced by the savory and slightly tangy creamed spinach. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, offering a delicious vegetable component that feels indulgent.
Holiday Feasts
When it comes to holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, this Instant Pot creamed spinach is a fantastic stress-free addition. It can be prepared quickly, freeing up valuable oven space and time. It complements traditional roasts, ham, and poultry, adding a vibrant green and creamy element to your holiday spread without adding to the culinary chaos.
Quick Weeknight Meals
Don’t reserve this dish just for special occasions. Its 5-minute cook time makes it ideal for busy weeknights. Serve it alongside simple grilled chicken or fish, or even as a flavorful vegetable component to a Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet in a way that the whole family will enjoy.
German-Style Creamed Spinach: A Flavorful Twist
While our recipe offers an American-style take on creamed spinach, it’s worth noting the delightful variations found in other cuisines. German Creamed Spinach, for example, shares similarities but often features a slightly different spice profile and is traditionally paired with hearty German meat dishes. If you’re interested in exploring this specific cultural twist, you can find a traditional recipe here.
Easy Keto Low-Carb Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach
By Brandi Crawford
Easy Keto Low-Carb Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach is the best quick recipe using frozen chopped spinach, cream cheese, and sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt). This 5-minute recipe makes the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners or even holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Rating: 4.85 from 20 votes
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Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Instant Pot come to pressure: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 309 kcal
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Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 16 oz frozen chopped spinach (preferably bagged, not block, to avoid excess water)
- ½ cup broth (chicken broth recommended)
- 6 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Important Note: This recipe works best with frozen chopped spinach that comes in a bag, as it’s less dense and less likely to contain excessive water. If you’re using block frozen spinach, it’s highly recommended to defrost and thoroughly drain out any excess water before adding it to the Instant Pot. This step is crucial to prevent your creamed spinach from becoming soupy. Alternatively, you can use an equal amount of fresh spinach; the cook time will remain the same.
- Begin by placing your Instant Pot on the **sauté** function.
- Add the olive oil to the pot, followed by the chopped onions and minced garlic.
- Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and both the garlic and onions are fragrant. This step builds the foundational flavor of your dish.
- Carefully add the frozen chopped spinach, cream cheese, chicken broth, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) to the Instant Pot. There’s no need to stir extensively at this point.
- Season the mixture generously with nutmeg, salt, and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the **Manual** or **Pressure Cook** function and set the cooking time for **5 minutes** on high pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will indicate it’s finished. Perform a **quick release** of the steam by carefully turning the valve to the venting position. Stand clear to avoid any steam burns.
- Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid. Add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the pot.
- Stir the mixture gently but thoroughly until the Parmesan cheese has completely melted into the spinach, creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Serve your delicious Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach immediately as a hot side dish and enjoy!
Video Tutorial
For a visual guide on how to make this delicious creamed spinach, please visit our YouTube channel @staysnatched.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving
Calories: 309 kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 16g
Fat: 23g
Nutrition Data Disclaimer
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com (or similar trusted calculator). To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Creamed Spinach
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making and enjoying creamed spinach, especially our Instant Pot version:
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, absolutely! You can substitute fresh spinach for frozen. For this recipe, you would typically need a larger volume of fresh spinach, as it significantly reduces in size when cooked. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 to 1.5 pounds of fresh spinach for every 10-12 ounces of frozen spinach. The cooking time in the Instant Pot will remain the same. Just ensure you wash and thoroughly dry your fresh spinach before adding it to the pot.
How do I prevent watery creamed spinach?
The primary culprit for watery creamed spinach is excess moisture from the spinach itself. If using block frozen spinach, it is crucial to defrost it completely and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the Instant Pot. Even bagged frozen spinach can hold some moisture, so giving it a light squeeze can be beneficial. Additionally, ensure your Instant Pot is set to “Sealing” during pressure cooking to prevent steam from escaping and adding more liquid to your dish.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, creamed spinach is a fantastic make-ahead side dish. You can prepare it completely, let it cool, and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of broth or a little extra sour cream to restore its creamy consistency.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Creamed spinach can be frozen, but the texture might change slightly upon thawing due to the dairy components. The sauce may separate a bit, and the spinach can become softer. To freeze, allow the cooked creamed spinach to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then gently warm on the stovetop, stirring frequently. You might need to vigorously whisk it or add a touch more cream cheese or sour cream to bring back its creaminess.
This Instant Pot Garlic Creamed Spinach is more than just a side; it’s a testament to how quick, easy, and healthy cooking can be without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned keto enthusiast or simply looking for a delicious vegetable dish, this recipe is sure to become a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the simplicity and savor every creamy, garlicky bite!