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    Home » Curry » Nepali Saag

    Nepali Saag Recipe| Curried Spinach

    Published: Sep 16, 2014 · Modified: Mar 5, 2020 by Pavani · 11 Comments

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    Nepali saag is a simple everyday side dish served with dal bhat. Curried greens with mild spices is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for any meal.

    White bowl with Nepali Saag

    Saag is basically a simple stir fry made with fresh greens. It makes a healthy and nutritious side dish to Nepali dal bhat (rice with lentils). The dish takes just a few minutes to cook and is perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • 🥬Nepali Saag | Curried Spinach
    • 🥗 How to Serve

    Nepal's Kathmandu valley has a fertile soil and is renowned for the variety of seasonal vegetables available. Open air farmers markets are popular tourist attractions. December and January are peak seasons for fresh greens. Check this post at Taste of Nepal for photos of Tarkari bazaar (vegetable market) and the various veggies that are sold there.

    Steel bowl with chopped greens

    🥘 Ingredients

    This dish is all about the saag aka greens. So, all you need are the below 5 ingredients to make this curry:

    • Greens - spinach, chard, kale, mustard greens are all make great options
    • Garlic cloves - add lots of flavor to this simple stir fry
    • Cumin seeds
    • Curry powder/ garam masala - use either one to add extra flavor to the dish
    • Salt & Pepper
    Step by step photos showing how to make sauteed greens

    🔪 Instructions

    As I mentioned before, this is a very easy to make dish. The most time consuming part is probably chopping the greens. I always have a big bag of baby spinach in the fridge to make smoothies or quick dishes like this one.

    • Heat oil in a saute pan. Add cumin seeds and once they start to splutter, add the minced garlic and saute till lightly browned.
    • Then add chopped spinach, turmeric, curry powder, salt and pepper.
    • Mix well and cook uncovered until the greens are wilted and tender, about 6~8 minutes.
    Bowl with sauteed greens

    💭 Top Tips

    Here are some of my top tips to make this delicious Nepali Saag:

    • I use store bought triple washed bag of greens for convenience.
    • If you are using greens sold in bunch, then make sure to clean them properly. Take a big bowl of water and add the greens. Squish them around to let the dirt sink to the bottom. If they seem to gritty, then repeat the squishing process. Drain and use as needed.
    • To keep the bright green color of the leafy greens after cooking, then cook uncovered until wilted and tender.

    🥬Nepali Saag | Curried Spinach

    Nepali saag is a simple everyday side dish served with dal bhat. Curried spinach with mild spices is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for any meal.
    Author: Pavani
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
    Total Time: 25 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: nepalese
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 tsp Oil
    • 4 ~ 5 cups Spinach or other greens, chopped
    • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
    • ½ tsp Cumin seeds
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric
    • ½ tsp Curry powder
    • To taste Salt & Pepper
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a saute pan. Add cumin seeds and once they start to splutter, add the minced garlic and saute till lightly browned.
    • Then add chopped spinach, turmeric, curry powder, salt and pepper.
    • Mix well and cook uncovered until the greens are wilted and tender, about 6~8 minutes.

    Notes

    • Any hearty greens can be used in this recipe - spinach, chard, kale, mustard greens are all make great options.
    • Covering the pan while cooking greens will change their color. So, if you want to keep their bright green color, cook uncovered.
     
     
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    🥗 How to Serve

    This is a very simple side dish and can be served with any meal. But to make it a complete meal, serve with Nepali Dal Bhat. If you have even more time, then make the complete Nepali vegetarian thali and enjoy!!

    Bowl of Nepali Saag

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Usha Rao

      September 16, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      I like simple spinach stir fry. Nice recipe.

      Reply
    2. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      October 06, 2014 at 1:57 am

      love this simple one using my fave green leaf veg

      Reply
    3. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      October 06, 2014 at 1:57 am

      love this simple one using my fave green leaf veg

      Reply
    4. Archana Potdar

      October 15, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Simple stir fry that will be welcome by hubby and FIL. Thanks

      Reply
    5. Priya Srinivasan

      October 29, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Simple spices, yet a tasty subzi, looks comforting!!

      Reply
    6. PJ

      October 31, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      Love the way you have garnished it with garlic!

      Reply
    7. Alisha Rochon

      February 14, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      In the ingredients garlic is mentioned but in the method it is not used. However, cumin is used which is not listed in the ingredients. I am sure this is an awesome recipe but please proof read

      Reply
    8. Pavani N

      February 14, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      Alison, thank you for pointing out my typo. I updated the recipe. Hope this helps.

      Reply
    9. Leslie

      April 09, 2020 at 12:31 pm

      Ya know, I have a hard time eating my greens fresh, I like them cooked with some flavoring. This is the perfect kind of recipe for me!

      Reply
    10. Swathi

      April 09, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      This Nepali sag looks perfect I love to have with my rice or chapathi. yumm.

      Reply
    11. Bethany

      January 26, 2024 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      So good and authentic! We grew to love Saag in Nepal, and are grateful we can now make it at home in the States!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Pavani! the cook in this hideout. Cook's Hideout is all about delicious vegetarian dishes from India and also from around the world. Here you will find recipes that are easy AND tasty to make.

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