This Indian Style Creamed Spinach is a bit like Palak Paneer, but without the paneer. …because my homemade paneer didn’t turn out. 😅 But that’s okay! The creamy spiced spinach is absolutely delightful on its own, so it’s still totally worth sharing. It’s amazing for dipping bread (preferably naan), spooning over rice, or using as a base for a more complete meal.
Make it Dairy-free or with Dairy
When I originally posted this recipe seven years ago I made it with evaporated milk. Since that time I’ve discovered how incredibly amazing coconut is with garam masala, so this time around I swapped out the evaporated milk for coconut milk. That also happens to make this recipe vegan and friendly to those who can’t consume dairy. If you prefer the dairy version, simply use one cup evaporated milk in place of the coconut milk.
Can I Use Light Coconut Milk?
Yes, you can use light coconut milk in place of the full-fat coconut milk, but the end result will be slightly less thick. I do not suggest using coconut milk sold in a carton, the type meant to be used as a dairy milk substitute. It will be far too watery for this recipe.
What to Serve with Indian Creamed Spinach
As mentioned in the intro, this Indian style creamed spinach makes a great side dish. You can serve it with dishes like Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala, or Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils. Or, you can add a couple more ingredients into your creamed spinach and make that your main dish. Consider adding cubed tofu, a can of chickpeas, or a diced potato or two.
Is this Creamed Spinach Spicy?
This recipe does have a little heat, thanks to a ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. If you prefer a mild creamed spinach, simply skip the cayenne pepper.
Is there a Substitute for the Garam Masala?
If you can’t find Garam Masala in a store near you, you can substitute it with curry powder. Or, try your hand at making a homemade garam masala.
Indian Style Creamed Spinach
Servings 4 about 1 cup eachIngredients
- 1 13.5oz. can full-fat coconut milk ($1.79)
- 8 oz. fresh spinach ($1.29)
- 1 yellow onion ($0.32)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.16)
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger ($0.30)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
- 2 tsp ground cumin ($0.20)
- 1 tsp garam masala ($0.10)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric ($0.05)
- 1/4¼ tsp cayenne pepper ($0.02)
- 1 large tomato ($0.97)
- 1/4 cup water ($0.00)
- 3/4 tsp salt (or to taste) ($0.03)
Instructions
- Add the coconut milk and spinach to a large pot. Stir and cook over medium heat until the coconut milk is warmed through and has wilted the spinach. Remove from the heat as soon as the spinach has wilted to avoid over cooking the spinach.
- Transfer the warm coconut milk and spinach to a blender and pulse until the spinach is in small pieces (you can choose to blend until smooth, if you prefer). Set this mixture aside.
- Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to a large skillet along with the olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft (about 5 minutes).
- Add the cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne to the skillet. Stir and cook the spices with the onion, garlic, and ginger for about two minutes more.
- Dice the tomato and add it to the skillet along with about 1/4 cup water. Stir and cook the tomato with the other ingredients, dissolving any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet, until the tomato has broken down (5-8 minutes).
- Finally, add the coconut and spinach mixture to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to heat through, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the creamed spinach and add salt to taste. Start with 1/4 tsp, adding more as needed until the flavors pop (I added 3/4 tsp).
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Nutrition
How to Make Indian Creamed Spinach – Step By Step Photos
Start by pouring one 13.5 oz. can of full-fat coconut milk into a soup pot.
Add 8 oz. of fresh spinach to the coconut milk. Stir and cook over medium heat just until the spinach has wilted (this should only take about five minutes). Do not over cook the spinach here. It should still be bright green in color.
Transfer the warm coconut milk and spinach to a blender and pulse until the spinach is in small pieces. You can blend until smooth if you prefer, but I like a little texture in mine. Set this mixture aside.
Dice one yellow onion, mince two cloves of garlic, and grate about 1 Tbsp fresh ginger. Add all three to a skillet along with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger over medium heat until the onions are soft (about 5 minutes).
Once the onions are soft, add 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp turmeric, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook the spices with the onion, garlic, and ginger for about 2 minutes more.
Dice one tomato and add it to the skillet along with about ¼ cup water. Stir and cook the tomato with the other ingredients, dissolving any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet, until the tomatoes have broken down (5-8 minutes).
Finally, pour the coconut and spinach mixture into the skillet and stir to combine.
Allow the mixture to heat through, stirring occasionally. Once hot, give it a taste and add salt as needed. I added about ¾ tsp. I suggest starting with ¼ tsp and adding more to your liking. Adding the correct amount of salt will help the flavors pop.
Serve hot with some bread for dipping!
This recipe is my absolute favorite. I’ve used fresh & canned/frozen ingredients and it’s always amazing. I’ve topped it with Havarti cheese one time and that was an awesome addition. VERY Beginner friendly. I’ve probably messed up something every time I’ve made this (Which is a lot) and it’s always very delicious.
I make sure to make this for everyone that will let me haha!
I just made this for dinner and my family and I loved it! It was a touch spicy for my kiddo, so in the future I’d go easier on the cayenne and ginger. I added chickpeas and served over brown basmati rice. Next time I think I’ll add some potatoes as well. Thanks for this fantastic and simple recipe!
Have you tried this recipe with frozen spinach?
We haven’t tried it with frozen spinach, but with tweaking, I bet it would work! Since frozen spinach is cooked down, you will need less (about 5 oz. or half a package) and it won’t need to cook quite as long. ~ Marion :)
Great recipe! I made it more hearty with chickpeas and potatoes and used a can of diced tomatoes. The whole family loved it. Thanks!
This was good. I followed the recipe exactly but we like things a bit spicier so I ended up using more spices than recipe called for but that’s just a personal preference. It’s a good recipe
Why cook the milk and spinach separately, as opposed to chopping/blending first, then adding to the skillet a little earlier?
Hi Willhelm- You need heat to infuse flavors in a liquid. You can absolutely do it however you want, but for the most flavor, wilt the spinach in the milk. XOXO -Monti
The second time I made this I made it wilhelm’s way and turned out. Cooked onions and spices and when that was done added the milk and spinach till cooked. Then used the code immersion blender. Turned out just as good as first time.
This is an amazing recipe. i’ve been trying for the longest to make an Indian dish at home that approximates something from a restaurant and this one is spot-on. I didn’t even use ghee, either, but I’m going to try that to gild the lily next time. and I think I’m going to add cubed tofu to replace the paneer aspect. Yum!
Can I freeze this?
I haven’t tried freezing this one, so I don’t know for sure, but all of the ingredients look pretty freezer-friendly. If there’s any water separation after thawing I’m sure you could just stir it up well.
Absolutely phenomenal recipe! This was so delicious we had to make it two more times and the meals keep for 2-3 days. The flavoring on this dish kept us wanting more and filled us up quickly to our surprise.
Loved this! Used canned diced tomatoes. Was very good.
Delicious! I also used a can of fire roasted tomatoes instead of using fresh tomatoes and water. This was so easy to make and, as suggested, tastes even better the next day!
Followed the recipe exactly with two exceptions: used another commenter’s excellent recommendation for a can of fire roasted tomatoes instead of fresh tomato + water, and added in a block of chopped halloumi to make this a full meal. I made this in advance as a lunch meal prep and it tastes even better reheated to let some of those spice notes mellow and blend.
I served this with some jasmine rice for a quick lunch and we absolutely loved it! So flavourful and satisfying. Thanks so much for the creative recipe.
Hi Beth,
Can I use frozen spinach in this recipe?
Thanks,
Jean
Yep! Check out this recipe, which is very similar, but I used frozen spinach.
I looks delicious, will try this weekend with friends. Can I cook it un advance? One day before? Thanks :)
Yes, leftovers of this dish are great!