Wondering how to freeze spinach to use later in smoothies or cooked dishes? The following tutorial has everything you need to know about preserving this vegetable with or without blanching, plus recipe ideas using frozen spinach.
If you’re swimming in fresh spinach, this post is the solution! Whether you have an abundance from your garden or just bought too much at the grocery store, here’s everything you need to know about how to freeze spinach and use it at a later time.
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How to Freeze Spinach Without Blanching
There are multiple ways to freeze spinach, including without blanching. To do so, simply place fresh spinach leaves in a plastic Ziploc bag or reusable bag such as a Stasher. Seal tightly while squeezing out as much air as possible. You can even use a straw to suck out air while sealing the bag if desired. Label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Use within 1 month for best results.
How to Blanch Spinach for Freezing
To preserve spinach for a slightly longer time, consider blanching it first. This process is more involved, but I think it helps spinach keep a little better and may ward off freezer burn. However, it’s important not to overdo it on the boiling step so that your spinach doesn’t get mushy. Here is the process.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach leaves and cook for only 40 to 60 seconds until it turns bright green. Drain immediately or use a slotted spoon to transfer the spinach quickly to a large bowl filled with ice water. Let it sit in there for a few minutes to stop the cooking process.
Drain the spinach from the ice water. Now, you’ll want to remove as much leftover water as possible. You can gently squeeze the spinach in between your hands over a sink. Or, if you don’t mind an additional step, spin the spinach in a salad spinner several times to remove excess water. Regardless of which method you use, pat the spinach dry between paper towels afterwards.
Divide the spinach into ½-cup portions. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a silicone muffin tray. You can also divide the spinach into smaller portions and place them in an ice cube tray (silicone is great if you have it). Freeze for about an hour until frozen solid.
Transfer the frozen spinach portions to a plastic or reusable bag. Seal tightly, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Preserving Pureed Spinach
If you want to freeze pureed spinach, follow the above steps for blanching. Then, blend it in a blender until pureed. Pour the puree into an ice cube tray, freeze until solid, and transfer the cubes to a freezer safe bag. Use within 3 months, adding directly to smoothies, sauces, soups, or other recipes as desired.
How to Use Frozen Spinach
Now that you know how to freeze spinach, let’s talk about ways to use it! If you froze spinach raw, you can add it to smoothies straight from frozen or directly into hot dishes like soups. Raw spinach can also be steamed or sautéed directly from frozen.
Frozen spinach that you blanched beforehand can be used in smoothies, soups, sauces, or hot dishes too. For instance, you could gently steam or sauté it then use in my Green Pasta Sauce recipe.
Here are some recipes that work with frozen spinach, whether it’s raw or blanched:
FAQ
Freezing vegetables typically helps maintain nutrients, but it depends on what steps you take to preserve it. In particular, blanching spinach before freezing will result in the loss of water-soluble nutrients like vitamin C. Over time, spinach may lose some other nutrients when frozen, but it’s likely not enough to really matter in an otherwise balanced diet. If you are concerned about nutrient loss in frozen vegetables, be sure to eat a variety of fresh and frozen, raw and cooked veggies.
Either freeze it raw or gently blanch it before freezing to use in smoothies. Both options will blend well. Pureed spinach ice cubes are another great addition to smoothies!
Yes! Sautéed, steamed, and even creamed spinach can all be frozen. Let it cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can reheat these dishes in a microwave or in a skillet or saucepan, perhaps with a splash of water if needed.
📖 Recipe
How to Freeze Spinach
Equipment
- large pot
- Large bowl
- Baking sheet, silicone muffin tray, or ice cube tray
- Salad spinner (optional)
Ingredients
- 10 ounces baby spinach - or regular spinach
Instructions
- Sort through the spinach and pick out any spoiled leaves.
- To freeze raw, simply place the spinach in an airtight bag and seal very tightly, removing as much air as possible. Label, freeze, and use within 1 month for best results and up to 3 months.
- To blanch spinach before freezing, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a mixing bowl with ice water and be ready to quickly transfer the spinach to it after boiling. Add the spinach to the boiling water and cook for only 40 to 60 seconds until bright green.
- Quickly transfer the spinach to the ice water to stop the cooking process. You can do this with a slotted spoon if you move fast, but otherwise you can drain it in a colander and then transfer it to the bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Drain the spinach and remove as much water as possible. You can do this by gently squeezing clumps of it in your fists over a sink. Or, put it in a salad spinner and spin several times to remove excess water. Put the spinach between paper towels and pat as dry as possible.
- Next, portion the spinach into the amounts you think you will use at a later time. I like to divide it into ½-cup clumps. Place the portions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a silicone muffin tray if you have one. If you want to freeze smaller portions, consider packing spinach into an ice cube tray instead. Transfer the spinach portions to the freezer for about an hour until frozen solid.
- Once frozen, place the spinach clumps in a freezer safe bag. Seal tightly, removing as much air as possible, and label. Use within 3 months.
Notes
- If you blanch the spinach before freezing, you can also puree it after cooking. Just blend in a blender until smooth. Then, pour the spinach puree into an ice cube tray. Freeze until solid and transfer the cubes to a freezer safe bag.
- Frozen raw or blanched spinach can be used in smoothies, soups, sauces, and hot dishes. Add it directly from frozen to recipes of your choice! Spinach puree ice cubes can be used in smoothies, soups, and sauces too.
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