Can You Freeze Spinach?
Are you looking for ways to freeze spinach? Maybe you’re even wondering “Can you freeze spinach?” If you have an abundance of leafy greens that you won’t be able to use before they wilt, you’ve likely questioned if you can put spinach in the freezer.
Conveniently, freezing spinach and other garden-fresh ingredients is a wonderful way to preserve them for future use, without sacrificing much quality or nutritional benefit, if any. The trick lies in following just the right steps for the perfect batch of frozen spinach.
Whether you have a bumper crop of garden goodness, have found a killer deal at the local market or just want to keep a steady supply of spinach on hand, we’ve got all the details. Keep reading to pick up hints and tips for freezing spinach to use in smoothies, dips and other delicious and nutritious recipes.
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- Can You Freeze Spinach?
- How To Freeze Spinach
- How Long Can You Freeze Spinach?
- How To Use Frozen Spinach
- Is Frozen Spinach Healthy?
Can You Freeze Spinach?
Can you freeze spinach? Yes, spinach is an excellent leafy green to store in the freezer. Best of all, your frozen spinach will stay good for between nine and 14 months in the freezer, allowing you to have access to nutritious food at all times. For best results, follow some of the freezing tips below.
Can You Freeze Fresh Spinach
Fresh-picked spinach can be frozen like any other type of spinach. While the thawed-out product won’t be able to be used in a fresh salad, it is excellent for use in smoothies, dips, casseroles and other recipes. For the best flavor, make sure you’re using young and fresh leaves when freezing spinach.
Can You Freeze Bagged Spinach
Bagged spinach is a terrific alternative to growing it yourself in a garden. So, can you freeze spinach in a bag? Yes, and it’s really easy to do! Simply place the sealed bag into the freezer and you’re good to go. However, you might want to transfer to a freezer-safe bag for an even longer shelf life.
Can You Freeze Cooked Spinach
As easy as it is to freeze uncooked spinach leaves, you may be wondering if you can freeze spinach that’s been cooked. Yes, that is also possible. If you want to cook the spinach from fresh for freezing, you’ll want to boil the spinach in a pot of water first. Allow the leaves to wilt and then drain in a colander. Next, rinse with cold water and squeeze as much water out as possible. The leaves need to be completely dry before freezing spinach.
Finally, roll the spinach into balls or put it in ice cube trays, and place into the freezer. Allow the cooked spinach to freeze and then transfer it to a resealable bag where it can stay in the freezer for several months. If you want to freeze spinach that has been cooked into another dish, it really depends on what other ingredients are used as to whether it will freeze and defrost well.
Can You Freeze Spinach for Smoothies?
Smoothies are a wonderful and delicious way to get in all the extra nutrients found in leafy greens like spinach or kale. Freezing spinach for this purpose is a time-saver when it comes to preparing that morning or mid-afternoon snack smoothie.
If you’re wondering how to start eating healthy, incorporating vegetable-rich smoothies into your diet is a great way to go. And with frozen spinach always available, you can quickly and easily add a nutritious kick to any fruit and vegetable smoothie mix.
Can You Freeze Creamed Spinach?
Do you enjoy a big serving of creamed spinach with stuffed chicken or a juicy steak and mashed potatoes? You’ll be happy to know that you can save time by preparing creamed spinach ahead of time and freezing it. Simply cook and place the finished product in freezer bags. It’ll be good for up to three months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before heating and serving.
Can You Freeze Spinach Dip?
Who doesn’t love a creamy spinach artichoke dip? But can you freeze spinach artichoke dip? The answer is yes, you absolutely can! If you’re planning a party and want to make a tasty vegan artichoke and spinach dip ahead of time, it’s no problem. After preparing, store the dip in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap over the top. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator. To reheat, put the frozen spinach in an oven-safe container covered with foil to hold in moisture.
How To Freeze Spinach
What is the best way to freeze spinach to use in recipes later? Whether using fresh, bagged or cooked spinach, it’s not hard to freeze spinach. Blanching and then freezing spinach is often recommended.
To do this, boil the spinach in hot water for one minute. Then, remove it from the water and place it in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Lastly, drain and dry the spinach, getting all of the water out of it, and place it into bags or ice cube trays for freezing. You can also place spinach fresh into freezer-safe bags or even freeze it in the sealed bag you got it in from the store.
How To Freeze Fresh Spinach
Can you freeze spinach leaves fresh from the garden? Yes! And it’s quite easy to do. When freezing spinach, make sure the leaves are completely dry before placing them in the freezer. You can also trim the leaves and stems if you prefer. A salad spinner can be helpful for drying too. When dry, stack the leaves and roll them up. Finally, place in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag with the air squeezed out.
How To Freeze Spinach for Smoothies
Are you a fan of tasty smoothies like chia seed smoothies filled with spinach leaves as an extra nutritional boost? Freezing spinach for use in smoothies makes for a quick prep job for busy mornings on the go. Follow the methods used for freezing fresh spinach for the best-tasting smoothie on the block. You can allow the spinach to thaw in the fridge or use it as is for a chilled smoothie.
How To Freeze Spinach Without Blanching It First
If you’re wondering how to freeze spinach without blanching it first, it’s not difficult. Blanching is a way to preserve the flavor and color of the spinach longer, but it isn’t necessary if you’ll be using the frozen spinach within a month or so. Wash and dry the leaves and place them in an airtight and freezer-safe container, remembering to label the spinach bag with the date of freezing.
How Long Can You Freeze Spinach?
It’s recommended to use frozen fresh spinach within six months. If the spinach has been cooked or blanched first, use within nine to 14 months.
How To Use Frozen Spinach
Can you prepare frozen spinach to use later? Yes, freezing spinach is an excellent way to save time and money. Thawed-out spinach will, of course, be mushier than fresh leaves. However, it’s perfectly acceptable and delicious for use in soups, stews, quiches, dips, smoothies, pasta recipes and the like.
How To Thaw Frozen Spinach
If adding to a hot dish like soup or stew, simply pop in the frozen spinach. There’s no need to thaw ahead of time. For other recipes, thaw overnight in the fridge. You can also thaw by soaking the bag of frozen spinach in a bowl of water. Just make sure it is fully sealed to ensure water doesn’t leak into the bag.
Is Frozen Spinach Healthy?
Are you pondering frozen spinach nutrition or whether to use frozen spinach vs. fresh? Interestingly, one cup of frozen spinach has four times more fiber, iron and calcium than a cup of fresh spinach. Can you freeze spinach and is it just as healthy and delicious as the fresh-picked version? All verdicts point to yes! And it’s just as delicious and nutritious, if not more so, than fresh spinach.
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Home cooks wondering “Can you freeze spinach?” will be glad to hear that it’s 100% possible to do so. This guide should have given you all the tips you need to freeze spinach for later use. Now that you’ve explored all the ways to freeze spinach, you’ll always have it on hand for a convenient on-the-go smoothie, a hot bowl of soup or a last-minute party dip.
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