Curly spinach, also called savoy spinach, is a spinach variety (Spinacia oleracea) with thick, crinkled leaves, as distinct from flat-leaf spinach's smooth leaves or the small, tender leaves of baby spinach. Its sturdier texture holds up well to cooking methods like sautéing, braising, and stir-frying, whereas baby spinach is generally preferred raw in salads. The flavor is mild and slightly earthy, with a subtle bitterness, and it pairs well with garlic, onion, cream, cheese, lemon, and other acidic ingredients.