This Ruth Chris creamed spinach is a light and healthy side dish everyone will love. It's flavorful, satisfying, and goes well with just about anything and everything, so you'll want to make it again and again!
If you've ever been to Ruth's Chris Steak House, you know their creamed spinach is one of the best side dishes on the menu. Since I have a few delicious Ruth Chris recipes on the blog already, I had to recreate the creamy spinach.
The spinach is cooked perfectly, and each bite of this dish is loaded with savory flavor from the blend of spices, onion, and garlic. Then, to pack even more flavor, it's finished off with a little parmesan cheese. I know we're just talking about cream of spinach, but I honestly can't get enough of it!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
It's easy to make. You basically just microwave the spinach, sauté the garlic and onions, then combine everything until you have the perfect side dish. It's that easy!
Everyone loves it. Even people who would never eat spinach actually love this creamy and cheesy spinach. It's even a hit with kids!
Versatile. This delicious veggie side will go with virtually anything you're serving for dinner. It's delicious with this Ruth Chris stuffed chicken or Ruth Chris Lobster mac and cheese for the full Ruth Chris experience! It's also great with this Jiffy corn casserole and cream cheese mashed potatoes for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients Needed
- Spinach- frozen spinach and chopped. If you use fresh spinach, you'll want to steam it quickly first.
- Butter- unsalted butter.
- Yellow onion- chopped for some flavor.
- Garlic cloves- minced for savoriness.
- Flour- all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce.
- Milk- whole milk works best, but any will work.
- Ground nutmeg- for the best flavor.
- Ground cayenne pepper- for a touch of spice.
- Salt and pepper- a pinch to taste.
- Grated parmesan cheese- for that delicious cheesy flavor.
By the way, you can use almost all of these ingredients to make this spinach casserole, so definitely try that recipe next!
How To Make Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
STEP 1: MICROWAVE THE SPINACH
First things first, you'll want to transfer the frozen spinach to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in intervals until it's fully thawed. Be sure to squeeze out all the liquid, then you can set it aside.
STEP 2: MAKE THE CREAM SAUCE
Next up, you can melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet - or any large skillet - set over medium heat. When the butter has melted, you can add the onion and garlic to it. Let this cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's somewhat softened and translucent.
Then, you can add the flour to the garlic and onion mixture and cook it for one more minute until the mixture becomes slightly foamy. After the minute is up, pour in the milk and stir vigorously to dissolve the flour mixture.
STEP 3: ADD THE SPICES
Once the flour mixture has completely dissolved, you can add the nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Now bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until it becomes slightly thickened.
STEP 4: ADD THE SPINACH
Last but not least, once you have a somewhat thickened sauce, you can add the spinach and grated parmesan cheese. Then let this cook for an additional minute to warm it through. Finally, serve hot with anything you want and enjoy!
Expert Tips from My Kitchen for Perfect Ruth’s Chris Creamed Spinach
- Use fresh spinach for the best texture: I’ve made this dish countless times, and I can tell you that using fresh baby spinach makes all the difference. It cooks down beautifully, giving you that creamy texture without turning mushy. If you’re in a pinch, frozen spinach works, but make sure to thaw and squeeze out every last drop of water, or your sauce might turn watery.
- Don’t skip on the nutmeg: This is one of those little secrets that gives the dish that authentic Ruth’s Chris flavor. Just a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg brings out the richness of the creamy sauce and adds a subtle warmth that people won’t be able to put their finger on—but they’ll know it’s something special. Trust me, I’ve tested it with and without, and the difference is night and day!
- Get the sauce thickness just right: After making this recipe a hundred times, I’ve learned that the key to a creamy consistency is patience. When you’re cooking the sauce, let it simmer on low heat until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it’s too thin, it won’t stick to the spinach; too thick it’ll overpower it. Take your time here - it’s worth the wait.
- Season as you go: One mistake I used to make was adding all the seasoning at the end. But I’ve found that layering in salt, pepper, and nutmeg as you cook really deepens the flavor. Taste as you go to ensure the perfect balance. It’s the difference between a good dish and one that’s restaurant-quality.
- Finish with a little extra love: Here’s my personal touch - I like to add a small handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the very end. It melts into the sauce and gives the creamed spinach a rich, nutty finish. It’s not in the original recipe, but it’s a little tweak that my family always raves about!
These tips come from years of perfecting this dish in my own kitchen. I hope they help you recreate that iconic Ruth’s Chris flavor at home—it’s one of those recipes that never fails to impress!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
If you have any leftovers, you can store any leftover creamed spinach in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. To keep it for longer, you can store it in a freezer-safe airtight container for about 3 months.
To reheat the spinach, I suggest transferring it back to a skillet set over medium heat. Allow it to cook, stirring frequently, until it's fully reheated. Alternatively, you can also microwave your leftovers in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN RUTH CHRIS CREAMED SPINACH?
According to the Ruth Chris Steak House website, one serving of their creamed spinach is approximately 295 calories.
WHAT IS CREAM OF SPINACH MADE OF?
Cream of spinach is traditionally made of spinach cooked until wilted along with a combination of sautéed garlic and onions, milk, cheese, and spices. The combination of a smooth white sauce with tender spinach and savory spices makes for a light but decadent dish.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes! This is a great make-ahead side dish. You'll want to cook it and then let it cool completely. Then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, you can reheat it in a pot until warm with a little milk over medium heat to thin it out.
More Copycat Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe for Ruth Chris Steak House creamed spinach, we have a ton of other copycat recipes on the blog for you to try!
Check all of these out:
- Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole
- Texas Roadhouse country fried chicken
- Wendy's chili
- Rudy's creamed corn
- Longhorn Steakhouse mac and cheese
- Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice
Ruth Chris Creamed Spinach Recipe
This Ruth Chris creamed spinach is a light and healthy side dish everyone will love. It's flavorful, satisfying, and goes well with just about anything and everything, so you'll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
- ½ lb. spinach, frozen and chopped
- 3 tbsp. butter
- ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp. flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook the spinach in the microwave, and squeeze out all the liquid. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until somewhat softened. It will take 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add flour and cook for one more minute until foamy.
- Pour in milk and stir vigorously to dissolve the flour mixture.
- Add nutmeg, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for five minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in spinach and grated cheese, cooking for a minute more to warm through.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 14g
Ryan
Spot on!!