Bacon wilted spinach is super easy to make, and adds a pop of color and flavor to fancy meals. It pairs perfectly with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and beef dishes like Steak Diane, Skillet Ribeye Steak, or Prime Rib.
Bacon Wilted Spinach Recipe
Bacon Wilted Spinach
Equipment
- large stock pot
- tongs
- paper towel
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 slice bacon
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Add 1 tsp olive oil to a large stock pot over low medium-low heat. Cut one slice of bacon in half, and place it into the hot oil.1 tsp olive oil, 1 slice bacon
- Cook bacon until the fat is fully rendered. Don't reduce the heat, but remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to cool and drain.
- When the bacon is cool enough to handle, use your fingers to tear it into small pieces. Torn bacon is much better than chopped bacon for texture and presentation.
- Keep the stock pot on medium-low to low heat until you are ready to wilt the spinach. If you are making other meal items, wait until just before serving to wilt the spinach. The warm oil and bacon fat will keep until you are ready.
- Add the baby spinach leaves to the stock pot.
- Quickly toss to coat the spinach leaves in the hot oil and bacon fat. You want every leaf to briefly touch the oil and fat at the bottom of the pot.
- Add a pinch of kosher salt, and the bacon bits. Quickly toss to combine. Be careful not to over-wilt the spinach.
- Remove the leaves to a serving dish before they are overly wilted.
PRIVATE NOTES
Nutrition
More Information
Use Baby Spinach Leaves
Baby spinach leaves are best because they are smaller and easier to toss in the stock pot. You will need to be very quick in tossing the spinach leaves.
Don’t Over-Wilt the Spinach
Over-wilted spinach has a bad texture, and is not nearly as visually appealing. Briefly toss the spinach in the hot oil. As soon as they turn bright green, remove them to a serving dish.
Don’t Use Flavored Bacon
Avoid using flavored bacon, like maple when making Bacon Wilted Spinach. Flavored bacon would seriously detract from the natural flavors of the dish.
Don’t Use Too Much Salt
Just a pinch of kosher salt will do. Bacon is naturally salty. If you are not careful, you will over-salt the dish.
Cooked Spinach is Healthy
According to Vegetarian Times:
When you eat spinach that has been heated, you will absorb higher levels of vitamins A and E, protein, fiber, zinc, thiamin, calcium, and iron. Important carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, also become more absorbable.
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Steak Diane
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