The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Spinach: Easy and Save Money

The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Spinach: Easy and Save Money
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Have you ever found yourself staring at a giant bag of spinach that’s about to go bad? We’ve all been there! Freezing spinach is a great way to save money and cut food waste, whether you’ve snagged a deal at the farmer’s market or your garden is overflowing with fresh greens.

Keeping frozen spinach readily available in your freezer is like having a nutritional secret weapon at your fingertips – perfect for smoothies, soups, and quick meal additions.

Today, I’m sharing how I freeze spinach that keeps its nutrients and color intact. Let’s turn that fresh spinach into a freezer-friendly staple that’ll last for months!

spinach growing in a garden - freezing spinach
Spinach from my garden – the best crop I’ve ever grown.

Benefits of Freezing Spinach

Spinach is a nutrient-rich leafy green that can be frozen to preserve its nutritional value and extend its shelf life. You can maintain its beneficial nutrients by freezing spinach while ensuring it’s available for later use in your meals.

This versatile frozen vegetable serves as a convenient and healthy addition to many dishes. The freezing process helps reduce food waste while saving money since you can stock up when prices are low and avoid having fresh spinach spoil before you can use it.


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Frozen spinach vacuumed sealed packages in a freezer with the title, "How To: Freezing Spinach - Ultimate Guide for Long Term Storage."

Freezing Without Blanching

Skip the blanching—quickly freeze fresh spinach leaves and cut down on waste! Spinach is an excellent value when purchased in bulk or harvested from your own garden, as you can easily preserve any excess leaves for future use.

Wash and dry the spinach leaves thoroughly, place them in freezer bags with all the air pressed out, and store them in the freezer for up to six months.


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    Preparing Spinach for Freezing

    Following a few simple steps will help you preserve your spinach’s quality for months. Below are the steps for preparing spinach for freezing to make it a convenient and versatile ingredient in your kitchen.

    a chart with the steps for freezing spinach - how to freeze spinach

    Rinse and Clean Fresh Spinach Leaves

    The first step is to thoroughly rinse your spinach under cold water.

    Fill up a colander with spinach and run it under cold water, gently rubbing the leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Shake off excess water and repeat until all of the leaves are clean.

    spinach in a colander with water pouring on it - freezing spinach

    Next, I sort through the spinach and remove weeds and browned or yellowing leaves, large stems, and any other debris I don’t want in my spinach.

    Since I want 20-ounce portions, I weigh my spinach. That way, I’ll have the exact amount for my spinach packages.

    a bowl of spinach on a scale - freezing spinach

    After weighing my spinach, I chop up the spinach. I cut it into 1-inch strips with a knife and then chop them down further. I don’t finely chop my spinach, because I prefer larger pieces.

    If you plan on adding your frozen spinach to smoothies or other drinks where you don’t want large spinach clumps, chop it smaller.

    chopped spinach - how to freeze spinach

    Blanching Spinach

    Bring a big pot to a rolling boil. After chopping my spinach, I then place it in the boiling water.

    I have a pot with a colander insert, making it easy to cool the spinach down. Blanch your spinach for 1 minute (boil for only 1 minute).

    spinach being blanched in boiling water - freezing spinach

    Cooling and Draining

    After blanching the spinach, immediately remove it and submerge it in very cold or ice water. Doing this stops the cooking process of the spinach, so you don’t overcook it.

    blanched spinach being cooled in cold water - freezing spinach

    After three minutes, you can drain the spinach. Squeeze out as much juice as you can from the spinach. You can use a salad spinner for this step, but I don’t have one, so I squeeze the water out over the sink in the colander.

    Spinach being drained after being cooled down - how to freeze spinach

    Packaging and Storing Frozen Spinach

    After I squeeze out as much water as possible, I scoop out the spinach and put it into vacuum sealer bags, which I have made into appropriate sizes ahead of time.

    spinach in vacuum sealer bags - how to freeze spinach

    Next, I take the bag to the sink and squeeze it to remove as much water as possible before vacuum-sealing it.

    spinach being vacuumed sealed - how to freeze spinach

    The vacuum sealer will remove even more water when vacuum-sealing the spinach bags.

    After sealing each bag, label it with the date and the weight so you know how much spinach is in each bag.

    Flatten your bags so they stack up nicely in your freezer.

    a bag of spinach with it labeled with the amount and date

    You could also use Ziploc bags and containers, but vacuum sealing the spinach gives me the longest storage time and keeps the spinach fresher for a longer period of time.

    If you use freezer bags, get out as much water and air as possible. Label your bags and flatten them as much as possible so they stack easily in the freezer.

    bags of vacuumed sealed spinach stacked in a freezer - how to freeze spinach

    Freezing spinach in containers is the least favorable method because you really can’t remove excess air. You’ll want to use it as soon as you can so your spinach doesn’t get freezer burn.

    When you are ready to use your frozen spinach, take out the desired amount and thaw. You can add it directly to soups, stews, quiches, or other dishes without thawing first.

    Frozen spinach that is properly stored maintains its quality and nutritional value for up to 12-14 months in the freezer.

    Other Ideas for Freezing Spinach

    Here are some other ideas for freezing fresh spinach:

    Freezing Pureed Spinach for Smoothies

    Blend fresh spinach leaves with water to make a puree. Freeze your spinach in ice cube trays. Take the frozen cubes out of the ice trays. Put them in a freezer bag and seal it.

    frozen spinach cubes - freezing spinach

    Frozen blocks method

    With this method, you chop or dice the spinach and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, pressing down firmly to create a block of frozen spinach.

    Using Frozen Spinach in Recipes

    You can thaw frozen spinach or add it directly to soups, stews, smoothies, or sautés without thawing.

    Thawing Frozen Spinach

    Thaw spinach in a bowl of warm water or the microwave on the defrost setting. Be sure to drain off any excess water before using in your recipe.

    Using Frozen Spinach in Smoothies

    Use the frozen spinach cubes in your smoothie recipes. You can also blend them with other fruits and vegetables for a healthy, nutrient-packed drink, such as a spinach and apple smoothie.

    spinach and apple smoothie - how to freeze spinach

    How much to Use

    • Substitute frozen spinach for fresh spinach by using 8-10 ounces of frozen spinach for 1 pound of fresh spinach.
    • You can use frozen spinach in place of fresh spinach in many recipes.

    Frozen Spinach Recipes

    You can use frozen spinach in pasta dishes, soups, casseroles, and dips.

    Here are some recipes to use your frozen spinach:

    1) Green Rice Casserole

    Green Rice Casserole - freezing spinach

    You’ll love this spinach casserole featuring ricotta, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. You’ll love the tangy, cheesy taste.

    2) Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

    Sausage Tortellini Soup - freezing spinach

    This hearty soup is perfect for cold winter days. This soup is made with Italian sausage, tortellini, and of course, frozen spinach.

    3) Spinach Mushroom Quiche

    Spinach Mushroom Quiche - freezing spinach

    Spinach mushroom quiche is the perfect choice for brunch or dinner. The dish combines a rich blend of cheeses, mushrooms, and your convenient frozen spinach.

    4) Creamed Spinach

    creamed spinach - freezing spinach

    Creamed spinach is one of my favorite ways to use frozen spinach. I love to have creamed spinach on special occasions or when we have company.

    5) Spinach Artichoke Dip (No-Cook)

    Spinach Artichoke Dip - how to freeze spinach

    This spinach dip is perfect for parties and get-togethers. It’s easy to make and is always a crowd-pleaser.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some questions asked most often:

    How Long Can You Store Frozen Spinach?

    Frozen fresh spinach can be stored for 3-6 months. Use frozen spinach within 12-14 months for best quality.

    How Much Spinach do I use in Recipes?

    Use 8-10 ounces of frozen spinach for 1 pound of fresh spinach in recipes. Adjust according to your taste and preference.

    Can you freeze cooked spinach?

    Yes, you can freeze cooked spinach, but it may slightly change the texture and flavor. Be sure to freeze the spinach in an airtight container or freezer bag.

    Can other greens be frozen too?

    Yes, you can freeze other greens such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, beet greens, and Swiss chard. Follow the same steps for freezing spinach as mentioned above.

    How many ways are there to freeze spinach?

    There are several ways to freeze spinach: blanching, pureed, whole fresh leaf and frozen block method.


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    Conclusion of How to Freeze Spinach

    Frozen spinach is a practical and versatile food item to have on hand that can be used in various recipes, including smoothies, soups, casseroles, and more. Preserving spinach reduces food waste and ensures you always have a nutritious ingredient on hand for quick and healthy meal preparations.

    In addition, You can freeze fresh spinach as a perfect way to preserve its nutrients and save space in your freezer. This method ensures fresh spinach is available for recipes like soups and sauces anytime.

    Blanching and freezing spinach is an easy process that can help you save time and money, while still enjoying all the health benefits of this leafy green.

    By following these steps and tips on freezing spinach and how to thaw and use frozen spinach properly, you can add this nutritious powerhouse vegetable to your meals all year round.


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      Comments

      1. Okay, this is pretty nifty! I waste so much spinach because I can’t eat it all, all the time! I love the little cubes, too. So cute!

      2. Love this post! I’ve always wanted to learn how to blanch spinach and other veggies, but I never took the time to look it up. Thanks for posting this.

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