How To Freeze Spinach leaves Without Blanching

Learn how to properly freeze fresh spinach leaves the easy way, without blanching them!

Freezing spinach is a great way to preserve leftover or extra fresh spinach from the store or your garden to use in smoothies, quiches, and so many other recipes to add extra vitamins and nutrients.

Freezing spinach is as easy as sticking it in a bag and tossing it in the freezer (just about). You don’t need to cook, blanch or chop it beforehand!

why you should freeze spinach

it lasts a lot longer

Obviously, right? But did you know spinach can last up to a year in the freezer versus just a week in the refrigerator?

Less Waste

Spinach is one of those things, like bananas that you either go through too quickly or it just sits in the fridge and spoils before you get to it all.

My simple solution is to freeze half of the spinach (and bananas) when I first buy it, that way I don’t ever let any go to waste.

Frozen spinach is just as healthy as fresh

When you freeze spinach, it doesn’t lose any of it’s health benefits or nutrients.

It can be used in so many different ways!

One of the reasons I love having spinach on hand is that you can add it to so many different dishes, adding health benefits without affecting the flavor too much.

how to freeze spinach leaves without blanching

Sort – Check through the spinach and discard any slimy or wilted leaves.

Wash – If your spinach is fresh from the garden, or not washed yet, rinse it thoroughly under cool water.

Dry – Pat the spinach leaves with a clean towel or dry them in a salad spinner.

Freeze – Pack the spinach in freezer Ziplock bags and label with the date. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

tips for Success

To Use – Frozen spinach can be added to some recipes “as is”. But for some dishes you might need to thaw it out and squeeze out excess liquid.

Suggestion – If you prefer, remove the stems from the spinach leaves before freezing.

how to use frozen spinach leaves

These are just a handful of ways you can use frozen spinach leaves in your cooking:

• sautéed with garlic and butter
• in smoothies
• layered in lasagna
• added to bolognese
• scrambled with eggs
• in quiche
• added to soups
• in stir-fry
• added to burritos or quesadillas

When using frozen spinach in place of fresh in a recipe, 10 ounces frozen is equivalent to 1.5 cups of fresh spinach leaves.

FAQ about freezing spinach leaves

Can I freeze bagged spinach from the store?

Yes! Freezing leftover or extra spinach from the store is a great way to keep from wasting any you aren’t needing to use right away.

It also allows you to get a better deal by buying in bulk because you can freeze a lot of the package for later use.

can garden spinach be frozen?

Yes! Since spinach bolts very easily as the temperatures rise in late Spring, freezing can be a great way to make the most of your spinach harvest.

How much frozen spinach to substitute for fresh?

Most sources state that 10 ounces of frozen spinach is equivalent to 1-1/2 cups of fresh spinach.

fresh vs frozen spinach

Believe it or not, frozen spinach can contain more nutrients than fresh store-bought spinach since it has been picked and preserved when it’s in season and at it’s peak.

Try to buy fresh spinach when it’s in season and freeze it yourself for later, to get the best quality and most nutrient dense results.

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If you liked this post, I think you’ll enjoy these other garden tips on the blog!

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I hope you found this tutorial helpful! If you try it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how it went!

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