Lawry’s Creamed Spinach with Bacon

Lawry’s The Prime Rib creamed spinach is not the bland, watery version many people remember. It is rich, garlicky, and built on steakhouse flavor, with crisp bacon, tender onion, and a silky cream base that clings to every bite of spinach. The signature detail is Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, which brings the same savory, gently spiced finish the restaurant is known for, and makes this taste like the real side dish served with prime rib. Using frozen chopped spinach keeps it fast, but squeezing it dry is what prevents a thin sauce. Serve this alongside steak, roasted chicken, or seafood when you want a restaurant-style plate at home.

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Steakhouse creamed spinach

Lawry’s Creamed Spinach is served at Lawry’s The Prime Rib restaurant. Creamed spinach is a steakhouse favorite side dish that pairs perfectly with any good cut of beef. This special keto creamed spinach recipe is made famous by Lawry’s. This is our family’s favorite at Christmas, but you can make it at home any time of the year. It’s easy to make and very tasty.

This frozen spinach recipe combines spinach with a rich base of bacon, onion, and more than a hint of garlic, making for a wonderfully hearty take on classic creamed spinach.

It’s great served on its own and is the perfect side dish to accompany a great steak or slab of prime rib. You can also serve it with chicken, ham, lamb, seafood, or anything else that takes your fancy!

Why this recipe works

The genius of this recipe lies in its layered flavors. Starting with bacon fat as the cooking base creates an affluent foundation, while combining sautéed onions and garlic adds aromatic depth. The Lawry’s Seasoned Salt contains a perfect blend of spices, including paprika, onion powder, and turmeric, that elevates simple spinach into steakhouse-worthy luxury. The carefully controlled addition of milk creates silky smoothness without breaking the sauce.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make creamed spinach:

• Frozen chopped spinach – Convenient base that cooks down perfectly and saves prep time
• Bacon – Provides smoky richness and crispy texture contrast
• Onion – Adds sweet, caramelized flavor when properly sautéed
• All-purpose flour – Creates a smooth, creamy texture and prevents separation
• Lawry’s seasoned salt – The secret ingredient that delivers signature steakhouse flavor
• Black pepper – Adds mild heat and aromatic spice complexity
• Garlic – Provides pungent, savory depth that complements bacon perfectly
• Milk – Creates the creamy base and proper consistency

Lawry’s Seasoned Salt is a special blend of salt, spices, and herbs that adds a unique flavor to this creamed spinach dish and to baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries, hash browns, or any other potato side dish. It’s well worth having in your pantry.

How to make Lawry’s Creamed Spinach

1. Cook spinach according to package directions and drain well in a colander. Then, using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth, squeeze out the excess moisture.
2. Snip the bacon into tiny bits and fry in a skillet until crisp. Remove bacon bits and most of the drippings from the pan.
3. Sauté the onion in the pan drippings until very tender in a large skillet.
4. Add the bacon bits to the pan for the last couple of minutes of cooking.

5. Remove the onion/bacon mixture from the heat and stir in flour, seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic.
6. Add the warmed milk all at once.
7. Return the pan to medium heat and stir until smooth and thickened.

8. Add spinach and mix thoroughly. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Tips for Making Creamed Spinach

• To save a step, use frozen chopped spinach. Remember to defrost it before chopping. A pound looks like a ton of spinach, but you know how spinach cooks down.
• Snipping the bacon with scissors is easiest when it is really cold from the refrigerator.
• You can substitute gluten-free flour without affecting flavor.
• Microwave the milk to warm it.

What to Serve With This Dish

Enjoy this side dish with New York strip roast, lobster tail, or roast chicken. Serve it with other sides like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

Lawry’s has many of these options on their menu, and they are an excellent match for creamed spinach because of the complementary ingredients in these comfort foods.

Storage and reheating instructions for leftover creamed spinach

• Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge. The flavors improve after the first day as they meld together.
• Reheating Method: Warm the leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to restore creamy consistency. Alternatively, reheat covered in 350°F oven until heated through.
• Make-Ahead Tip: This dish can be prepared entirely the day before and reheated, making it perfect for entertaining.

More Side Dish Recipes

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• Hash Browns Casserole Cracker Barrel
• Boiled Carrots Recipe
• Roasted Small Red Potatoes
• Leeks and Potatoes Recipe
• Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Martha Stewart
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Garlicky Green Beans
• Asparagus Recipe
• Cheddar Creamed Corn

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Be sure to check out more of my easy side dish recipes and the best fine dining restaurant copycat recipes.