How to Freeze Spinach | How to Store Spinach by Freezing

What is Spinach

Spinach is this leafy green vegetable that’s super healthy for you. It’s packed with vitamins like A, C, and K, and it also has loads of iron, which is great for giving you energy. I remember when my kids were little, I’d sneak spinach into their meals, like in smoothies or pasta sauces. They’d never know, but I knew they were getting some good stuff in their diet.

It’s also one of those veggies that’s really easy to cook with. You can toss it in a salad, steam it, or even throw it into soups and casseroles. Honestly, you can pretty much put spinach in anything! And the best part is, it cooks down so much. I’d throw a big handful in a pot, and in no time, it’d shrink down to almost nothing. It’s like a little miracle in a veggie.

Plus, spinach is super low in calories, so if you’re looking to eat healthy or lose weight, it’s a great choice. It’s easy to find at the store and doesn’t cost too much either. So, if you haven’t already, give spinach a try. It’s one of those things that’s good for you but doesn’t feel like it’s making you eat your veggies.

How to Freeze Spinach Leaves

Freezing spinach leaves is super easy, and it’s such a great way to have them on hand whenever you need them. I always try to stock up when spinach is on sale because I know I can freeze it and use it later. Here’s how I do it:

1. Wash the spinach: Fill a large bowl with water and swish the spinach leaves around to clean them. Make sure to get rid of any dirt or grit.
2. Dry the spinach: Lay the washed spinach out on a clean towel to dry as much as you can. You don’t want excess water when freezing.
3. Freeze the spinach: Lay the spinach leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Make sure they’re spread out, so they don’t stick together.
4. Place in the freezer: Put the baking sheet with spinach in the freezer for a few hours until the leaves are frozen solid.
5. Store in freezer bags: Once frozen, transfer the spinach into freezer bags, squeeze out the air, and label with the date.

Now you’ve got spinach ready for smoothies, soups, or any other recipes!

How to Blanch & Freeze Spinach

Here’s how I blanch and freeze spinach, and it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it!

1. Wash the spinach: First thing, you gotta wash the spinach really well. I fill up a big bowl with water and just let the leaves soak for a minute to loosen up any dirt. Then, I rinse them under cold water.
2. Boil the water: Next, I get a big pot of water boiling on the stove. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just enough water to cover the spinach when you toss it in.
3. Blanch the spinach: Once the water’s boiling, I throw the spinach in and let it cook for about 2 minutes. It’s not too long, just enough to make it bright green and tender. You’ll see the spinach shrink down, and that’s a good sign!
4. Cool the spinach: After 2 minutes, I take the spinach out and quickly dump it into a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process so it doesn’t get mushy. I usually let it sit for a few minutes to cool down.
5. Squeeze out the water: When it’s cool enough to handle, I squeeze the spinach really well to get out as much water as I can. I don’t want any extra moisture when it freezes, or it could get all icy.
6. Freeze the spinach: Now, I lay the spinach out on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. I pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours. This helps the spinach freeze individually, so it doesn’t clump together.
7. Store in freezer bags: Once the spinach is frozen solid, I transfer it into freezer bags. I press out any air, seal them up, and label the bags with the date.

Now I’ve got spinach ready to use in soups, smoothies, or whatever I need it for! It’s such a simple way to make sure you always have spinach on hand without it going bad.

How to Freeze Spinach Leaves in Ice-Cube Trays

Freezing spinach in ice-cube trays is a super easy way to keep it fresh and ready to use! Here’s how I do it:

1. Wash the spinach: First, I give the spinach a good wash to get rid of any dirt or grit. I just fill a big bowl with water and swish the spinach around for a bit. Then I rinse it under cold water to make sure it’s clean.
2. Dry the spinach: After washing, I lay the spinach out on a clean towel and pat it dry. You don’t want too much water on the leaves, or it’ll make the cubes all icy.
3. Chop or leave whole: I like to chop the spinach into smaller pieces, but you can leave the leaves whole if you want. It just depends on how you plan to use it later. Chopping it up can make it easier to toss into smoothies or soups.
4. Fill ice-cube trays: I grab my ice-cube tray and start packing the spinach into the little compartments. You want to fill them up, but leave a little room at the top since the spinach will shrink a bit when frozen.
5. Add water (or broth): I like to pour a little bit of water or vegetable broth over the spinach in each cube to help it freeze into a solid block. The liquid just makes it easier to pop out of the tray later and adds flavor if you use broth.
6. Freeze: Once the trays are filled, I pop them into the freezer and let them freeze for a few hours or overnight. The spinach will freeze into little cubes, and it’s super easy to use one or two cubes at a time.
7. Store in bags: Once the cubes are frozen solid, I take them out of the trays and put them in freezer bags. I label the bags with the date and make sure to squeeze out any extra air so they don’t get freezer burn.

Now, whenever I need spinach, I just grab a cube or two, and I’m good to go! It’s a great way to save time and space in the freezer. Plus, I love how easy it is to throw a cube in a smoothie or soup whenever I need a boost of greens.

How to Freeze Spinach For Smoothies

Freezing spinach for smoothies is one of the easiest things I do, and it’s perfect if you want to always have spinach ready for your morning smoothie. Here’s how I do it:

1. Wash the spinach: First, I wash the spinach really well. I fill a big bowl with water and let the spinach soak for a minute to get rid of any dirt or dust. After that, I rinse it under cold water.
2. Dry the spinach: After washing, I lay the spinach out on a clean towel or paper towels to dry it. I try to get as much water out as I can because I don’t want it freezing with extra moisture.
3. Break into portions: I like to break the spinach into smaller bunches. That way, when I freeze it, I can just grab what I need for my smoothie without having to thaw the whole batch.
4. Freeze on a baking sheet: I lay the spinach in a single layer on a baking sheet. The key is not to pile them up on top of each other. This keeps them from sticking together when they freeze.
5. Freeze for a couple of hours: I pop the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2-3 hours, or until the spinach is frozen solid. This step helps the spinach freeze individually, so it doesn’t turn into a big frozen block.
6. Store in freezer bags: Once the spinach is frozen, I transfer it into freezer bags. I try to squeeze out any air to keep it fresh. Then, I label the bags with the date so I know when I froze it.

Now, I’ve got frozen spinach ready to go in my smoothies whenever I need it! Just grab a handful, toss it in the blender with your other ingredients, and you’re good to go. It’s such an easy way to get some greens in your day without any hassle!

What Can You Make With Frozen Spinach

Frozen spinach is a total lifesaver when you want something quick and healthy, and there’s so much you can make with it! Here are a few ideas I love:

1. Spinach Smoothies: This is my go-to! I just grab a handful of frozen spinach from the freezer, toss it in the blender with some fruit, yogurt, and maybe a splash of almond milk, and boom, you’ve got a green smoothie ready in no time. The frozen spinach blends in really well, and you don’t even taste it!
2. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken: I mix up some thawed spinach with cheese and seasonings, then stuff it inside chicken breasts. Bake it for about 25-30 minutes, and you’ve got a yummy, filling meal. It’s an easy way to sneak in some greens!
3. Spinach Soup: If you’re in the mood for soup, frozen spinach is perfect for that. Just sauté some onions and garlic in a pot, add in the spinach (you can thaw it first or just toss it in frozen), and then add broth. You can blend it all together for a creamy soup or leave it chunky. Either way, it’s a warm, comforting meal.
4. Spinach Pesto: I love making a quick pesto with frozen spinach. Just blend the spinach with olive oil, garlic, nuts (I use walnuts or almonds), and some Parmesan. It’s an awesome spread for sandwiches or a topping for pasta.
5. Spinach Omelet: Frozen spinach is great in omelets! I just thaw it and squeeze out the extra water, then mix it with eggs, cheese, and whatever veggies I have on hand. It’s a simple and healthy breakfast that’s packed with protein and greens. Check out the spinach frittata recipe.
6. Spinach Dip: Frozen spinach is perfect for making spinach dip. I thaw and squeeze out the spinach, then mix it with cream cheese, sour cream, and a little garlic powder and onion. Serve with crackers or veggies, and it’s a hit at any gathering!
7. Spinach Pasta Sauce: You can stir frozen spinach into pasta sauce for a veggie boost. I just add it to the sauce while it’s simmering, and it mixes in nicely without losing its flavor.

Frozen spinach is so versatile and makes it easy to eat healthy without much effort. Plus, it’s always there when you need it!

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