Spinach On Keto: Creative Ways To Enjoy This Superfood

Spinach is a great ingredient for those on a keto diet as it is low in net carbs and highly nutritious. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of keto-friendly dishes, from breakfast to dinner. For example, spinach can be used in smoothies, salads, dips, soups, and casseroles. It is also a good source of iron, vitamins, potassium, fiber, and folate.

Keto spinach smoothies

Overview

Ingredients

• Spinach: Fresh or frozen spinach provides an extra boost of greens and fiber with minimal carbs.
• Liquid base: Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or coconut milk from a carton are popular choices. You can also use heavy cream for added bulk and healthy fats.
• Healthy fats: Avocado, almond butter, or peanut butter add a creamy texture and healthy fats to your smoothie.
• Sweetener: Monk fruit stevia blend, erythritol, xylitol, or liquid stevia can be used to add sweetness without adding carbs.
• Ice cubes: These help to make the smoothie thicker and more refreshing.

Optional Ingredients

Depending on your taste preferences and desired consistency, you can also add the following ingredients:

• Fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries can be added for sweetness and a thicker texture.
• Greens: You can use kale, swiss chard, or collard greens instead of or in addition to spinach for a nutrient boost.
• Protein: Add a scoop of keto-friendly protein powder, such as keto collagen protein powder, for an extra boost of protein.
• Nut butter: Almond butter, peanut butter, or any other nut butter can be added for extra thickness and healthy fats.
• Seeds: Chia seeds or hemp seeds provide an extra boost of antioxidants and nutrients.
• Flavour enhancers: Vanilla extract, lemon juice, or cucumber can be added for a unique flavour profile.

Directions

• Wash and chop the spinach leaves.
• Prepare your desired fruits and vegetables by washing, peeling, and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
• Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender.
• Blend until the mixture is creamy and smooth, adding more liquid or ice as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
• Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy!

Tips

• It is best to consume the smoothie immediately after blending for the best taste and texture.
• If you want to make your smoothie thicker, add more ice cubes or frozen fruits.
• You can experiment with different ingredients and flavours until you find your favourite combination.

Keto spinach dips

Keto Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

• Spinach (frozen or fresh)
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Butter
• Garlic (fresh, minced, or powder)
• Onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Worcestershire sauce
• Artichoke hearts (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Heavy cream or almond milk

Method:

First, prepare your spinach. If using frozen spinach, thaw it and squeeze out as much water as possible. Chop the spinach finely. If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it before placing it in a skillet and heating until wilted.

Next, prepare the cream cheese mixture. In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and butter. You can soften the cream cheese in the microwave first to make it easier to mix. Add in your garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and mix until well combined.

Now, combine the spinach and cream cheese mixtures. Stir in the spinach, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. If using, add in the artichoke hearts and nutmeg. Mix until everything is fully incorporated.

Finally, bake the dip. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. You can also broil the dip for 1-2 minutes at the end to make it crispy.

Serve warm with keto-friendly dippers such as crackers, chips, or veggies. Enjoy!

Keto spinach as a side dish

Spinach is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways and served as a side dish. Here are some delicious keto-friendly spinach recipes that will pair well with your main course.

Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is a rich and indulgent side dish that is surprisingly easy to make. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 oz baby spinach (or 6 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
• 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:

• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add spinach and saute for 2-4 minutes, until just barely wilted.
• Add heavy cream, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cream cheese melts.
• Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese (optional) before serving.

Sautéed Spinach

Sautéed spinach is a quick and easy side dish that is full of flavor. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10-oz) bag baby spinach
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, or more to taste
• 1 pinch grated nutmeg
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon, juice only

Instructions:

• Place olive oil, garlic, spinach, salt, and nutmeg in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté until the spinach is just wilted, tossing often.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese and add lemon juice to taste. Serve immediately.

Keto Creamed Spinach

This keto-friendly creamed spinach is a delicious and healthy side dish. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter (dairy-free if plant-based)
• 1/4 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or unsweetened plain almond milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Violife Parmesan for dairy-free)
• 2 oz cream cheese (dairy-free if plant-based)
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Heat butter in a skillet until hot.
• Add minced garlic and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
• Add spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes until reduced in size.
• Add heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir together with spinach.
• Cook until spinach is wilted.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese, a pinch of nutmeg, and season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Spinach with Gouda and Bacon

This indulgent spinach side dish combines the flavors of bacon and gouda cheese for a comforting and delicious keto option.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried minced onion
• 1 tsp roasted garlic powder or regular garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 oz gouda cheese, shredded
• 2 pieces crisp bacon, crumbled
• 1 bag fresh spinach (or 10 oz frozen spinach)

Instructions:

• Saute the spinach with some seasonings.
• Add cream cheese and let it melt into the spinach.
• Add shredded cheese and bacon.
• Serve immediately or transfer to a casserole dish and bake to brown the cheese topping.

Keto spinach flatbreads

Ingredients:

• Almond flour
• Shredded mozzarella
• Cream cheese
• Baby spinach
• Basil pesto
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together almond flour, shredded mozzarella, and cream cheese. Microwave this mixture for one minute or until melted and easily combined.

Using a spoon or spatula, mix the ingredients until a dough ball forms. If the dough is too stiff or difficult to spread, place it back in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to soften.

Wet your hands with a bit of water and form the dough into a smooth ball, ensuring all ingredients are fully combined. Use your hands to flatten the dough thinly across the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake the dough for 6 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove the dough from the oven and spread basil pesto and spinach on top. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a spicy kick!

Return the flatbread to the oven and bake for an additional 16 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Your keto spinach flatbread is now ready to be enjoyed! This recipe is a delicious and flavorful appetizer or a quick and easy lunch option.

Tips and Variations:

Feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your macros and preferences. You can top the flatbread with additional cheese or other ingredients of your choice.

For a crispier flatbread, bake it for a longer duration. If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the bake time. You can also experiment with different keto-friendly vegetables in the dough, such as fresh spinach or basil.

This flatbread is a perfect low-carb replacement for your favourite restaurant appetizer and can be enjoyed as-is or with additional toppings.

Keto spinach as a pizza base

Spinach is a very low-carb vegetable, and when blended with eggs and cheese, it makes a great keto-friendly pizza base. This pizza crust is not only healthy but also delicious and can be made in a few simple steps.

Ingredients:

• Spinach (baby spinach is preferred as it is more tender and doesn't need to be pre-cooked)
• Cheese (hard cheese variants such as Edam, mozzarella, Emmental, or Cheddar)
• Eggs
• Salt (optional)
• Garlic Powder (optional)
• Dried Oregano (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray some olive oil to prevent the crust from sticking.
• Wash and drain the spinach leaves thoroughly. You can also use pre-washed baby spinach leaves to avoid this step.
• In a blender or food processor, add the spinach leaves, cheese, eggs, and any optional ingredients you choose to include.
• Blend until smooth. The mixture should have a batter-like consistency.
• Pour the spinach crust batter onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly, forming a thin pizza base.
• Bake the spinach pizza crust for 15-20 minutes or until the sides are darker and crispy.
• Remove from the oven and add your favourite low-carb toppings. You can also add more grated cheese for an extra cheesy pizza.
• Put the pizza back in the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the toppings are cooked.
• Let the pizza cool down for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• Make sure the spinach leaves are well-drained and patted dry before blending. Excess water will make the mixture too runny, and the crust will not become crispy.
• This pizza base is pliable and thin, similar to a tortilla, but it won't be as crispy and firm as a traditional pizza crust.
• For a chewier texture, you can add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dough before mixing in the cheeses.
• If you prefer a crispier crust, use a pizza stone and slide the parchment paper with the crust onto the stone in the oven.
• You can also freeze the leftover pizza. Let it cool down, wrap it in plastic, and store it in the freezer.

Enjoy your healthy and delicious keto spinach pizza!

Frequently asked questions