Spinach is a versatile, nutrient-dense green that can be used in so many ways. If you happen to have extra spinach on hand, or like to save time, learning how to freeze spinach is the perfect way to preserve its freshness. Now, you can enjoy all the benefits it has to offer, no matter what time of year it is! Once you learn the most common ways to freeze spinach and the benefits and pitfalls of each one, you can decide for yourself the best option to take to make sure you’re consistently getting all your greens!
🌿 Freezing Fresh Spinach Leaves 👍 Pros 👎 Cons ❄️ How to freeze fresh spinach leaves 🌿 Freezing pureed spinach 👍 Pros 👎 Cons ❄️ How to freeze pureed spinach 🌿 Freezing blanched spinach 👍 Pros 👎 Cons ❄️ To freeze blanched spinach 🔥 Thawing Frozen Spinach 🍽️ Recipes With Spinach
🌿 Freezing Fresh Spinach Leaves
👍 Pros
The quickest and easiest method that requires the least amount of time. Just add it to a bag and freeze. Retains its natural texture, so using it later is easier for many types of recipes like soups, dips, and casseroles.
👎 Cons
You need to use large freezer bags, so it’s not the best option for saving space. May not hold up as well in certain recipes once it thaws.
❄️ How to freeze fresh spinach leaves
🌿 Freezing pureed spinach
👍 Pros
Saves on space so you can make it in bulk for later use. Preserves nutrients fairly well. Beneficial for adding to spinach smoothies to increase your greens intake.
👎 Cons
Requires a blender, more time, and is messier to clean up. Can’t be used in recipes that call for whole spinach leaves.
❄️ How to freeze pureed spinach
Wash and dry the spinach leaves as described above. Puree the spinach in a blender or food processor. Add a splash of water if needed to achieve a smooth consistency. I find a high-speed blender with a blending stick works best for this process. Portion the pureed spinach into ice cube trays, muffin tins, or silicone molds and freeze until solid. Pop the spinach cubes out of the trays and store them in airtight containers or freezer bags, labeled with the date and contents.
🌿 Freezing blanched spinach
👍 Pros
Lasts the longest because it delays the enzymatic process. Has the best texture when it is used in cooked recipes like soups and casseroles.
👎 Cons
Requires more preparation, equipment, and cooking time than the other methods. Can damage some of the nutrients if cooked for too long or not properly cooled.
❄️ To freeze blanched spinach
🔥 Thawing Frozen Spinach
When you need to use your frozen spinach, you can throw it right in the blender to cool smoothies. If you’re using it in a cooked recipe, the best option is to thaw it overnight in the fridge and use it the next morning. Alternatively, you can thaw it quickly in the microwave by using the “defrost” function. Once thawed, easily incorporate it into your favorite dishes!
🍽️ Recipes With Spinach
We’ve got dozens of easy vegetarian spinach recipes around here, but these are a few of our favorites!
Egg White Frittata with Spinach and Feta Sweet Potato & Spinach Quinoa Breakfast Skillet Spinach Artichoke Dip Green Smoothie Bowl
