The Ultimate Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe

The Ultimate Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe

That smell the buttery sizzle of garlic meeting cream, followed by the rich, comforting blanket of spinach. If you’ve ever ordered creamed spinach at a steakhouse only to receive a sad, thin, watery puddle, you know the disappointment. We’re fixing that.

This Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe is the foolproof method for achieving that super thick, velvety texture using cream cheese and heavy cream.

This isn’t a slow burner. We're talking 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook time. We cut the starch binders (flour, cornstarch) entirely, relying on clever technique and high fat dairy to deliver a knockout side dish that clocks in at under 8 net carbs.

Say hello to your new favorite steak companion, because this Creamed Spinach Recipe Easy is everything you’ve been looking for.

Why This Creamed Spinach Recipe Works: The Science of Creaminess

Making a truly great, non-watery keto side dish relies on two critical factors: hydration control and fat content.

The Secret to Preventing Watery Spinach

Spinach is 90% water. If you just toss wilted spinach straight into cream, that water will release, dilute your sauce, and turn your beautiful Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe into a soup.

The key is physical force: You must squeeze every drop of liquid out of the wilted or thawed spinach using a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. By removing excess moisture, the dry spinach leaves are ready to absorb the rich cream base instead of pushing water into it.

Leveraging Full Fat Dairy for Maximum Flavor

We use a dynamic duo: heavy cream and full fat cream cheese. Heavy cream provides liquid and richness, but cream cheese is the real thickening hero here. Cream cheese melts smoothly and contains stabilizers that prevent the sauce from breaking, ensuring that rich, velvet consistency without needing flour or thickeners.

The Nutmeg Factor

A tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg is non-negotiable in this recipe. Nutmeg is used traditionally in European savory cooking because it magically enhances the savory, milky notes in dairy, making the final dish taste richer, warmer, and more complex. You won't taste "nutmeg," you'll just taste perfection.

Essential Ingredients and Keto Friendly Substitutions

This recipe requires about 10 simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have if you’re cooking low carb.

Required Ingredients Checklist

• Spinach (Fresh or Frozen): We need 2 lbs fresh, which cooks down dramatically, or about 20 oz frozen (thawed).
• Unsalted Butter: For sautéing.
• Aromatics: Yellow Onion (finely minced) and Garlic (freshly minced).
• Dairy Base: Full fat Heavy Cream and Full fat Cream Cheese.
• Cheese: Grated Parmesan Cheese.
• Seasoning: Salt, Black Pepper, and that critical pinch of Nutmeg.

Swaps for Texture and Dietary Needs

If you need to adjust this classic for dairy-free diets or just need a substitute, here are the expert approved options.

step-by-step Guide: Making Perfect Keto Creamed Spinach

Total time for this Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe is about 25 minutes. Stick to the medium low heat setting once the dairy goes in to prevent scorching and keep the sauce smooth.

1. Prep the Spinach (Drain, Drain, Drain!)

If using fresh spinach, wilt it in a large pot over medium heat until it has reduced drastically (it will look like a mountain turned into a small hill, about 3– 5 minutes). Immediately transfer the wilted spinach to a colander.

Once cool enough to handle, transfer all the spinach to a clean kitchen towel. This is critical: Tightly twist the towel and squeeze out as much water as you possibly can. You should be shocked by how much liquid comes out. Finely chop the squeezed, dried spinach.

2. Building the Flavor Base (Sautéing Aromatics)

Return the same pot to medium heat. Add the butter and let it sizzle until melted. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 60 seconds until fragrant don't let the garlic burn!

3. Build the Cream Base

Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the cubed cream cheese and the heavy cream to the pot. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is totally smooth and bubbling lightly. You are creating a luxurious, cohesive sauce base here.

4. Combine & Season

Stir in the chopped, dried spinach, Parmesan cheese, that tiny pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gently stir until the spinach is fully incorporated and coated in the rich, velvety sauce.

5. Thicken and Serve

Simmer gently on medium low heat for 2– 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This short simmer allows the spinach to fully absorb the fat from the cream base, thickening the sauce to a perfect consistency it should look thick as warm pancake batter.

Adjust seasoning as needed and serve your perfect Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe hot!

Troubleshooting and Expert Tips for the Best Results

No matter how simple a recipe is, there are always pitfalls. Here’s how to fix them and ensure your Creamed Spinach with Cream Cheese is perfect every time.

Maximizing Flavor (The Finishing Touch)

For an extra layer of complexity in your Spinach Recipe | Wholesome Yum , stir in a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh chives or a dash of hot sauce (like Crystal or Frank's) just before serving. The acid and heat cut through the richness beautifully.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

One of the great things about this Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe | Wholesome Yum is how well it holds up as leftovers provided you followed the crucial draining step.

How Long Does Creamed Spinach Last in the Fridge?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.

Best Practices for Freezing Leftovers

Freezing creamed spinach is tricky because high fat dairy sauces can sometimes separate upon thawing. However, because we used cream cheese (which acts as an emulsifier), it holds up better than those made with just milk. Freeze cooled spinach in single serving, freezer safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating Without Losing Texture

To reheat, place the spinach in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Add 1 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or broth to help loosen the mixture and prevent scorching. Stir until heated through.

Do not microwave if you can avoid it, as this tends to dry out the edges and increase the likelihood of the sauce splitting.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

This rich Low Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe is designed to pair with heavy, savory mains.

Classic Steakhouse Mains

Obviously, this is the ideal side for a massive Ribeye or a buttery filet mignon. But it also works perfectly alongside rich chicken or pork. If you need an equally low-effort main, try my One Pot Slow Cooker Chicken Potatoes Green Beans E: Effortless Dinner — just skip the potatoes for strict keto meal pairing!

Other Low Carb Dinner Ideas

For a quick weeknight dinner, serve this creamed spinach underneath grilled salmon, next to a keto meatloaf, or even mix it with shredded chicken for a simple, savory filling. If you enjoy rich, creamy, comforting dishes like this, you absolutely need to try my Roasted Cauliflower Garlic Soup: Silky, Creamy Vegan .

This specific Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Recipe | Wholesome Yum should absolutely be in your rotation if you miss satisfying side dishes that don't spike your blood sugar. Enjoy!