Description
Sauteing greens is a fast, essential technique that transforms leafy vegetables from raw and bulky into silky, flavorful, and deeply savory in minutes. The Italian approach of garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes works with any green from spinach to kale, and it’s one of the fastest healthy side dishes you can make.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch greens (about 1 pound — spinach, Swiss chard, kale, or broccoli rabe), washed and roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- Wash the greens thoroughly and shake off excess water, but don’t dry them completely — a little residual moisture helps them steam and wilt.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is just starting to turn golden — not brown.
- Immediately add the greens in large handfuls, tossing with tongs as each batch wilts to make room for more.
- Season with salt and cook for 2 to 4 minutes (spinach takes 1 to 2 minutes, kale and chard take 3 to 4 minutes) until wilted and tender.
- Remove from heat, squeeze lemon juice over the top, and toss to combine.
- Transfer to a serving plate, drizzle with extra olive oil if desired, and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Notes
- Greens reduce dramatically when cooked — a pound of raw spinach cooks down to about 1 cup.
- Watch the garlic carefully; it goes from golden to burnt in seconds, and burnt garlic tastes acrid and bitter.
- For kale, remove the tough center ribs before cooking. For chard, cook the stems for 2 minutes before adding the leaves.
- A splash of vinegar or lemon juice at the end brightens the dish and balances the richness of the oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6