Rating: 3.69
(93)

Pork and Spinach Medley

May 30, 2024

Pork and spinach medley might not be the first combo that comes to mind when planning a weeknight meal, but this duo offers a surprisingly satisfying mix of flavors and textures. The richness of pork pairs beautifully with the earthy freshness of spinach, creating a dish that feels both hearty and healthy.

Whether you’re working with tenderloin, pork chops, or thin strips of stir-fried pork, the meat adds savory depth to the mild, slightly bitter taste of spinach. Add a few aromatics like garlic, onion, or shallots, and you’ve got a meal that is simple yet full of flavor. The beauty of this medley is that it’s incredibly flexible. You can prepare it in a skillet for a quick stovetop dinner, roast it in the oven with olive oil and herbs, or even simmer it in a light broth for something comforting and warm.

Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in iron, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Pairing it with pork provides a good source of protein, B vitamins, and essential minerals. It’s a combination that checks both the flavor and nutrition boxes.

For those who enjoy global flavors, there are countless ways to adapt this medley. A splash of soy sauce and sesame oil can give it an Asian-inspired twist. Toss in some white beans and a pinch of smoked paprika for a Mediterranean feel. Or keep it classic with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

This dish also works well as a meal prep option. Make a larger batch and enjoy it over rice, tucked into a wrap, or served alongside roasted potatoes. It reheats nicely and holds up well in the fridge for several days.

At its heart, Pork and Spinach Medley is about balance. It’s rich but not heavy, flavorful but not complicated. And best of all, it comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

Pork and Spinach Medley
Pork and Spinach Medley
3.69 from 93 votes
A delicious and healthy pork and spinach dish
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Pork chops
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp thyme dried
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups spinach fresh
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions
 

  • Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until browned.
  • Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
  • Add the dried thyme and stir to combine.
  • Add the spinach and chicken broth to the skillet.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.
  • Return the pork chops to the skillet and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the pork is cooked through.
  • Serve the pork chops with the spinach mixture on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 32gFat: 20gFiber: 2g
Calories: 320kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy dinner, lunch, medly, pork chops, spinach
Cooking Method: Fried
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar markus.daugherty82 says:

    4 stars
    Yummy! I didn’t use chicken broth, just water. Still good! 😋

  2. User avatar alyson.denesik14 says:

    2 stars
    I didn’t have chicken broth, so I used water. It didn’t taste right. Need broth for flavor.

  3. 3 stars
    My mom used to make something similar but with kale, it was better. This one is okay, but not my fave.

  4. User avatar MrsLucyG says:

    5 stars
    This was AMAZING! The pork chops were so juicy and the spinach added a nice touch. Definitely gonna make this again!

  5. User avatar Dr. Dan Schaden says:

    3 stars
    It was alright, but I think the recipe could use some more spices. Maybe a pinch of cumin? Just a thought.

  6. User avatar gregory.macejkovic75 says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about the amount of broth—mine felt a bit dry by the time the spinach was wilted. I’d probably increase to 1.5 cups or add a splash of water. Still edible, just not super saucy.

  7. User avatar brenton.hodkiewicz1967 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! I added a bit of parmesan on top and it was delish! Great recipe.

  8. User avatar Hillman Hunter says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but what’s with the chicken broth? Isn’t this a pork recipe? Trying too hard.

  9. User avatar tommy.nienow says:

    5 stars
    Made this for my family and they loved it! The pork was so juicy! Will definitely make again.

  10. User avatar art.terry37 says:

    5 stars
    This looks like a comforting, quick weeknight meal. I love that it all happens in one skillet—less cleanup is always a win. I’ll probably add a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness.

  11. User avatar Heidi Hayes says:

    2 stars
    Meh. My pork got burnt. I guess I skipped to read how long to cook it. Oops!

    1. User avatar Charles Darwin says:

      4 stars
      Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Just keep an eye on the time next time. 🕒

  12. User avatar carmine.parisian92 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is fantastic! The pork chops are so juicy and the spinach adds a nice flavor. Will make again!

  13. User avatar waldo.considine48 says:

    5 stars
    My kids loved it! They usually don’t eat spinach but I told them it’s a magic green and they bought it! 😂

  14. User avatar Arthur Philip Deodat says:

    4 stars
    I don’t eat pork, would it work with chicken instead? Seems like it would taste good with it.

  15. User avatar carole.hoppe says:

    4 stars
    Delish! Everyone loved it! Gonna make it on repeat for sure.

  16. User avatar paris.connelly80 says:

    4 stars
    Made this for dinner last night. My kids loved it! I used frozen spinach tho, didn’t have fresh. Still turned out good.

  17. User avatar brice.bins1957 says:

    3 stars
    Pretty basic recipe, thought it would be more flavor. Needs more spice.

    1. 4 stars
      I totally agree! A pinch of cayenne or some red pepper flakes would do wonders! 🌶️

    2. User avatar Corrupted Shade says:

      2 stars
      But like, it’s pork and spinach. How much flavor you expecting? 😂

  18. User avatar Melinda Metz says:

    4 stars
    My spinach was watery at first, but I think I didn’t simmer hard enough. Next time I’ll reduce the broth more. Still, it tasted good even like that.

  19. User avatar Rosaline Heathcote says:

    5 stars
    The flavor combo is kinda genius—onion + garlic + thyme with spinach and broth. I used pork tenderloin instead of chops and it still worked. Will do again!

    1. User avatar inga.feeney2025 says:

      5 stars
      Love hearing that! Onion + garlic + thyme is such a solid base, and pork tenderloin is a great swap. Did you adjust the timing at all so it didn’t dry out?

  20. User avatar amberly.grant says:

    2 stars
    Pork chop recipes r everywhere, this one’s just okay, not my favorite. Also too much oil, I think.

    1. User avatar brice.damore1988 says:

      2 stars
      Nah, too many steps for just pork chops. I like simple recipes. Do you really need the spinach?

    2. User avatar Gag Halfrunt says:

      4 stars
      I thought this was pretty tasty! The oil helps keep the pork moist. Maybe give it another try? 😊

  21. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    5 stars
    Wow, this looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it for dinner tonight!

    1. 5 stars
      Thanks! It’s super easy to make and so tasty! Hope you enjoy it!

  22. User avatar ardella.rath says:

    4 stars
    Nice and simple dinner. Even my kids at spinach! A miracle! 😂

  23. User avatar adeline.herzog96 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this recipe! The pork chops were so juicy and the spinach added a nice flavor. Will definitely make this again.

  24. User avatar jennine.schinner1975 says:

    4 stars
    I skipped the thyme, didn’t have any. Wasn’t sure how it would taste, but it turned out fine!

  25. 4 stars
    Solid recipe, but I had to cook the pork longer than 5-7 minutes after returning to the pan (my chops were thick). Next time I’ll sear and then simmer with a lid to speed it up. Flavor is great though.

  26. 2 stars
    I don’t like spinach, can I use kale instead? Or gonna be yucky?

    1. User avatar shayna.windler says:

      3 stars
      I dunno, kale can be pretty tough, right? Spinach is way softer. Just don’t wanna ruin it!

    2. 5 stars
      Kale will be fine! Just make sure to chop it well. It tastes different but still good! 🍃

  27. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! The pork was so tender and the spinach adds such a nice flavor. Will definitely make again!

  28. 5 stars
    Made this tonight—so comforting. The paprika seasoning on the chops is perfect, and the spinach wilts into a nice garlicky sauce. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end and it brightened everything.

    1. 3 stars
      Not gonna lie, 3-4 min each side might be kinda short for pork chops unless they’re thin. I’d prob check doneness next time (and maybe add more broth if the pan gets dry). Still, paprika + spinach sounds like a solid combo.

    2. User avatar aron.romaguera85 says:

      5 stars
      That sounds so good 😍 I love when spinach turns into that garlicky “sauce” thing. Lemon at the end is a great call!

  29. User avatar carlena.spencer1995 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe but my pork came out dry. Maybe I overcooked it? Idk. Would try again tho.

    1. User avatar estefana.spinka77 says:

      3 stars
      I think it might be the chicken broth that made it dry? I dunno, but I love this recipe!

    2. 4 stars
      Overcooked for sure! Try cooking for less time next time! Maybe 3 mins on each side?

  30. 1 star
    Disagree, this was not even close to good. Didn’t make the pork right and the spinach was soggy. 1 star.

  31. User avatar ellie.johnston says:

    5 stars
    OMG this is the bestest! My family raved about it, thanks for sharing. 😊

  32. User avatar mckenzie.weber64 says:

    4 stars
    Paprika on pork chops is always a good move. I’m giving it 4 stars because the ingredient list is simple and it doesn’t pretend to be complicated. I ate it straight from the skillet, no regrets.

    1. User avatar Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—paprika gives pork chops that nice color and flavor without making it feel fussy. Love the simple ingredient list too.

  33. User avatar lonna.fahey says:

    5 stars
    This is the best recipe ever! So easy and delicious. My family loved it!

  34. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about “2-3 minutes” for the pork after it’s already browned. Depending on chop thickness, that might be a gamble. Could use a meat thermometer, but overall sounds solid.

    1. User avatar w00d_ch0p says:

      5 stars
      Yeah, I also thought the timing felt a bit too casual—5-7 minutes after browning could be perfect for some chops and underdone for thick ones. A thermometer really helps here.

    2. User avatar whitney.simonis says:

      4 stars
      I usually don’t measure it like that—just cut one open, lol. If it’s still pink I give it more time. But your point about chop thickness is true.

  35. 2 stars
    I followed it exactly but my pork came out kinda tough. Maybe I overcooked? Also, 2 tbsp oil seems like a lot for browning 4 chops in one skillet, it splattered like crazy.

    1. User avatar mariette.lebsack90 says:

      4 stars
      Ugh, that sounds frustrating. Yeah—“3-4 min per side” plus another 5-7 can easily push pork chops into dry/tough territory, depending on thickness. Next time try pulling them earlier and using a meat thermometer if you have one.

  36. User avatar allie.reilly70 says:

    1 star
    How do you get pork chops to stay moist? Mine always end up dry like desert. Help!

  37. User avatar jerrold.hahn69 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but my pork came out a bit dry. Maybe I cooked them too long? Anyone else had this issue?

  38. User avatar Ms. Maira Quigley says:

    4 stars
    Really simple recipe! I didn’t have thyme so I used oregano instead. Still turned out great!

  39. User avatar wade.connelly says:

    4 stars
    The steps are clear and it didn’t get too complicated. I used frozen spinach because that’s what I had and it worked, just needed a little extra broth. Tasty and healthy-ish!

    1. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      Thanks! I love hearing it works with frozen spinach—adding a little extra broth makes total sense. 😊 I’ll try that next time.

  40. User avatar vito.williamson2000 says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, seems like too much spinach for me. I’m not a fan of that stuff.

  41. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

    4 stars
    Pork chops are hard to cook right, but this was easy peasy! No complaints here!

    1. 5 stars
      Glad to hear it worked for you! I always found pork chops tricky too. Might have to give this a try!

    2. User avatar elbert.labadie says:

      3 stars
      Easy? I dunno, pork can dry out real quick if you’re not careful! But, if it worked for you, maybe I’m just bad at it. 🤷‍♂️

  42. User avatar randy.kuhlman says:

    3 stars
    Pretty easy to make but my kids didn’t like the spinach ugh.

  43. User avatar moshe.kuhn21 says:

    4 stars
    Yummy!! But why spinach? Makes my plate look green. 😂

  44. User avatar CTRLplusW says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but my pork turned out tough. Maybe you should update the cooking times?

    1. User avatar darell.stoltenberg says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean! Pork can be tricky. Maybe try cooking it a bit less or using a meat thermometer next time? It helps to not overcook.

  45. User avatar Cave Bear says:

    4 stars
    Tasty! I added some cheese on top, and it was really good. Will make it again.

  46. User avatar dino.adams1984 says:

    2 stars
    Looks good but wilted spinach? Yuck! I prefer my greens crispy. Maybe I’ll try at a BBQ…

  47. User avatar cheryll.collier2003 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t know, man. Why do you gotta complicate things with thyme and broth? Just grill the pork and it’s all good.

    1. User avatar tracie.monahan71 says:

      4 stars
      But adding thyme and broth brings more flavor! Grilling is good, but this is a whole new level, trust me.

  48. 3 stars
    Eh… not really my type. I prefer beef and this was just ok.

    1. User avatar murray.beahan76 says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean, but I really loved this recipe! The spinach adds a nice touch. Maybe give it another shot? You might be surprised!

  49. User avatar Meriadoc Brandybuck says:

    2 stars
    Ok but where’s the measurement for how much spinach should shrink? lol. Also 5-7 minutes after returning pork might dry it out if they’re thin. Still, I’d eat it.

  50. User avatar kathern.hahn3 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical at first, but it turned out great. I used fresh thyme instead of dried. Just as good.

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! Fresh herbs make such a difference. I love how this turned out too. Great recipe!

    2. User avatar ArabianNights says:

      3 stars
      But why would you use fresh thyme? Dried is easier and doesn’t spoil as fast. It’s still a win, I guess.

  51. 1 star
    spinach?? who wants that? I just ate the pork lol.

    1. User avatar ernesto.hodkiewicz42 says:

      2 stars
      Lol, pork is way better than spinach! Who needs greens anyway?

    2. User avatar cory.daugherty2009 says:

      4 stars
      Spinach is good for you! It pairs great with pork. #HealthyEating

  52. User avatar nellie.hamill37 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but I think I prefer chicken over pork. It was a bit bland for my taste.

    1. User avatar beverley.gerlach1955 says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean! Pork can be a bit hit or miss. Maybe try adding some spices next time to liven it up?

  53. User avatar danilo.medhurst says:

    2 stars
    Idk, it was kind of bland for me. Just didn’t hit the spot. 2 stars.

  54. User avatar Eric Weissnat says:

    5 stars
    Why not add mushrooms??

  55. User avatar errol.cronin says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a game changer! The pork chops were so juicy!

  56. User avatar stacey.wisoky35 says:

    4 stars
    I made it tonight and it came out really tasty. The spinach wilted perfectly and the paprika gave the pork a nice color. Only thing: I had to cook a few extra minutes for my chops to be fully done.

  57. User avatar oswaldo.lubowitz86 says:

    3 stars
    Does anyone else think pork and spinach is weird combo? I mean, who thought of this?

    1. User avatar cleopatra.fritsch says:

      4 stars
      I actually think it’s a pretty classic combo! Pork and greens go together well. Ever tried it? You might be surprised!

    2. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      Weird? Nah, it makes sense! Meat and veggies are a thing. Just like peanut butter and jelly! 🤷‍♂️

  58. User avatar Louis Stanton says:

    2 stars
    I tried this and the pork ended up dry. Maybe I left it too long? Not sure if I will attempt again.

  59. User avatar nicholas.klein says:

    3 stars
    I tried to follow it exactly, but my garlic burned a little. Maybe medium heat wasn’t enough? The spinach tasted fine though—next time I’ll watch it more.

    1. User avatar idalia.goldner says:

      5 stars
      Yeah, garlic burns fast—medium heat + garlic maybe needs less time or you add it a bit later. Glad the spinach turned out though!

  60. User avatar leopoldo.watsica85 says:

    4 stars
    Looks good! How do you think it would taste with some mushrooms too?

  61. User avatar Treebeard says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a lifesaver! The flavors are amazing! I added some lemon juice and it took it to the next level. 5 stars!

3.69 from 93 votes
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