This flavorful and aromatic recipe for Quick and Easy Saag Bhaji {Spinach Curry} makes the perfect vegetarian meal or Indian side dish.
Serve this delicious dish alongside Tarka Dal for an Indian Meal everyone will enjoy!
I love Indian food. When we go out to a restaurant, I tend to order vegetarian dishes. I’m not sure why, but I’d rather have two vegetable side dishes with rice than any one dish. It’s my go-to order.
More often than not, I order Saag Bhaji, a comforting and flavorful spinach curry that is delicious and healthy at the same time. I would probably also have a serving of Tarka Dal.
If you aren’t familiar with Tarka Dal or want to try making your own, check out my Tarka Dal recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
- Cooking the spinach with some aromatics like onion, garlic, coriander, and garam masala builds layers of flavor.
- Cilantro adds freshness to this boldly flavored dish.
I’ve been told this spinach curry isn’t a dish you would actually find in India – much like many other foreign foods we order in restaurants, I guess.
Nevertheless, I think it makes a gorgeous vegetarian meal, served as a main dish with pilau rice, or as a side dish to an Indian curry feast.
So even though this Spinach Curry might not be found in India, you still get all the aromatic Indian flavors you’d expect from a restaurant-style curry and I guarantee you will not miss the meat at all.
How to Make Quick and Easy Saag Bhaji {Spinach Curry}:
Heat the oil & butter on medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion and fry until it starts to soften.
Add the garlic and cook another minute.
Add the ginger and cook another minute.
Add cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and tomato paste
Stir to combine and cook another minute to release the flavors.
Slowly stir in the chicken stock.
Add by the cilantro followed by the spinach.
Cook until it wilts season to taste.
Serve and enjoy!
Erren’s Top Tips
- When buying spinach, look for fresh looking leaves of dark green color. Avoid those with yellow stains or slimy leaves.
- Watch the garlic once added to the pan. Garlic burns easily, especially when minced. If you’re worried it may brown too quickly, keep a little water handy and add a tablespoon or two before adding the spinach to the pan.
- Serve this Spinach Curry with my Vegetarian Rice Pilaf or my Saffron Rice (with or without chicken).
Recipe Variations:
- For a 100% vegetarian Spinach Curry, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Frozen spinach would work here too. Make sure it is completely thawed and squeeze out any excess water.
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Let’s Make Quick and Easy Saag Bhaji {Spinach Curry}
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 inch fresh ginger peeled and grated
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup vegitable stock or chicken stock
- a good handful of fresh cilantro chopped
- 14 oz fresh spinach washed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil & butter on medium-high heat in a large, nonstick frying pan. Add the chopped onion and fry until it starts to brown.
- Add the minced garlic and cook another minute. Add the ginger and cook another minute.
- Add the cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Slowly stir in the stock, followed by the cilantro.
- Add the spinach cook until it wilts season to taste.
Tips + Notes
- Watch the garlic once added to the pan. Garlic burns easily, especially when minced. If you’re worried it may brown too quickly, keep a little water handy and add a tablespoon or two before adding the spinach to the pan.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This post was originally published on Feb 17, 2016, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, cooking tips, and a video in September of 2018.
Talya says
I was looking for an easy spinach recipe to make with *only* ingredients I had in the house (primarily a big bag of spinach leaves that needed to be dealt with!), and this fit the bill–what a perfect choice! Super delicious and easy. Ate some for dinner over yellow rice with yogurt, and looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Thanks Erren!
Erren says
I’m so happy to hear it, Talya! 😊 Thanks for letting me know!
Dinah says
I’d added a little too much liquid, so I blended it all in the food processor – absolutely delicious.
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m glad you found a way to make it work for you!
Dean Clark says
Surprisingly nice for something so easy. Had to use dried cilantro but was all good.
Erren says
Glad to hear it, Dean! 😊
DOMINIKA says
You shouldn’t call it vegetarian dish when you adding chicken stock. But overall, tasty!
Kelly says
So delicious! And so quick and easy. Made it in the time it took to bake the piece of fish I served it with. This one’s a keeper!
Erren says
So glad to hear it, Kelly! And fish is the perfect thing to serve it with! 😊
Sheryl says
This is one of my favourite dishes so I was pleased to find a recipe to re-create it at home. It was easy to follow, quick to make and tasted delicious. Will def be making again, but in a larger quantity.
Erren says
That’s so great to hear, Sheryl 😊 it’s a favorite of mine too!
Benny says
This was delicious. Our first vegetable box from the local farm just had lettuce and more spinach than one family could possibly eat. I added some chickpeas and cashews for a little more bulk. My daughter who earlier today had shunned spinach was literally asking for seconds then thirds.
Corinne says
Easy and tasty
Bronwynne Miller says
This recipe was very delicious! I didn’t have cilantro so I just used a bit of a vinegary based sauce as a condiment to add some brightness to the dish, and threw in a few fresh curry leaves just for kicks. I would definitely double the recipe for my family, but really wonderful! I would also add a bit more liquid and tomato paste as it was a bit “dry” for my liking, but overall would definitely make again! I served it with rice cooked in chicken broth and turkey stock (just what I had) with a couple dried chilies thrown in. Thanks for the recipe!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This curry is delicious! And so easy too!