Description
This easy creamed spinach recipe features fresh spinach cooked in a rich, silky plant-based cream sauce enhanced with smoky turkey bacon and aromatic garlic and onion. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and fresh flavors, making it an elegant and comforting side dish suitable for any meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh spinach – 1 lb, washed and roughly chopped if large
- Smoked turkey bacon – 4 slices, diced
- Plant-based cream – 1 cup
- Garlic cloves (natural flavoring) – 2 cloves, minced
- Onion (natural flavoring) – 1 small, finely chopped
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) – 1 tablespoon
- Nutmeg (natural extract) – ¼ teaspoon
- Salt – to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- Natural gelling agent – 1 teaspoon dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water
- Chicken broth or vegetable broth – ½ cup
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach and Bacon: Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and roughly chop if the leaves are large. In a large pan over medium heat, cook diced smoked turkey bacon until crispy and golden brown. Remove the bacon pieces and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat in the pan. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes, building the flavorful foundation for the creamy sauce.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the pan, stirring gently to allow it to wilt evenly. Add in batches if needed. Once wilted and reduced in volume, drain any excess liquid for a thicker sauce if necessary.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour the plant-based cream and broth into the pan with the spinach and aromatics. Stir in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the natural gelling agent dissolved in cold water to thicken the mixture gently.
- Finish and Serve: Return the crispy smoked turkey bacon to the pan and stir until everything is combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy texture with smoky flavor.
Notes
- Drain excess moisture from the spinach after wilting to avoid a watery dish.
- Use fresh spinach and good quality smoked turkey bacon for best results.
- Adjust seasoning gradually as bacon and Worcestershire sauce contain salt.
- Simmer gently and avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent splitting.
- Pre-wash and dry spinach ahead to speed up cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: creamed spinach, plant-based cream, smoked turkey bacon, creamy side dish, easy spinach recipe
