By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
9 min
Steamed Spinach in the Microwave
Recipe GLPR0289efb9539d99
A simple and nutritious Middle Eastern-inspired starter of fresh spinach steamed to tender perfection in the microwave and brightened with fresh lemon juice. This quick, healthy dish brings out the natural flavor of the greens with minimal effort.
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Ingredients
¾ bunch fresh spinach, washed but not dried
1 Juice of 1 lemon, plus more for garnish
Directions
Place the washed spinach (with the water still clinging to its leaves) into a microwave-safe bowl. Do not pat it dry, as the residual moisture will help steam the greens.
Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
Microwave on high power for 3 to 4 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and tender but still bright green.
Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and drain any excess liquid that has pooled at the bottom.
Transfer the steamed spinach to a serving dish and drizzle with the juice of 1 lemon. Toss gently to combine.
Divide among four plates and serve warm, with additional lemon juice available on the side for those who prefer extra brightness.
Comments
This is a genuinely useful weeknight side that costs pennies per serving—fresh spinach runs $2–3 a bag at any Charlotte grocer, lemon is always in stock, and you're looking at maybe 30 cents total per person. The 9-minute estimate is honest for a first-timer or conservative eater; most cooks will shave it down to 5 once they know how much the spinach collapses. It reheats fine in the microwave or a quick pan-warm, and a family of four can have it on the table in less time than it takes to boil water. The only reason it's not a 5 is that it's genuinely simple—there's no margin for error, no complexity to love, and it depends entirely on whether you like plain steamed greens, which not every household does.
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