Home » In the kitchen » How to freeze spinach. Over winter and in early spring, about the only thing I usually have growing in my garden is a few brassicas and an abundance of spinach. I tend to let it go wild over winter but come spring when I need the space for summer seedlings, it's time for it to go. Because we just can't eat that much spinach in one go and because I can't stand the thought of just throwing it on the compost pile, I've started freezing it!
It's a very simple process that is the perfect way to utilise a great harvest of spinach for a quick leafy green veggie boost to a number of dishes:. This removes any bugs, dirt or anything else that may have come from the garden. I fill up the clean sink with water and use my hands to swish it around. Blanching is not strictly necessary for freezing spinach but it does help it wilt down and pack easier into the muffin tins and in my experience it does help it keep longer.
I have frozen spinach both with and without blanching and they are both great methods. If you are mostly going to use the spinach in smoothies, I wouldn't bother blanching it. To blanch the spinach, bring a large pot of water to a boil and submerge the spinach in the water for 2 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and place in a bowl or clean sink with ice cold water to stop the cooking process.
Place in a colander to drain or lay out on a clean tea towel. I love using silicone muffin trays to freeze spinach. It was easy, simple, and now I have a freezer full of greens for later! We hate spam. Both the email and the "meat". First Time Visiting?
Start Here! Jump to Recipe Print Recipe. Prep Time 10 mins. Cook Time 2 mins. Freezing time 3 hrs. Total Time 3 hrs 12 mins. Learning how to freeze spinach is a great way to preserve this healthy staple of so many recipes. Servings: 4. Course: How To. Cuisine: American. Keyword: Can you freeze spinach, Freezing fresh spinach, How to freeze spinach. Calories: 33 kcal. Author: Sarah Cook - Sustainable Cooks.
Equipment Saucepan. Mixing bowl. Cutting Board. Fine mesh strainer. Instructions How to Blanch Spinach Wash spinach, discarding old leaves and woody stems. Fill a bowl halfway with ice water. Set aside. In a large saucepan bring water to a boil. Add spinach, making sure it is all under the water and cook for 2 minutes. If your blender has a difficult time with the amount of water originally used, feel free to add more water in small increments.
Pour the puree into molds. Once smooth, pour the puree into clean ice cube trays or similar molds. If you don't have any spare ice cube trays, consider using mini muffin trays, standard muffin trays, or candy molds.
Silicone trays and molds work especially well, but plastic versions can also be used. Freeze solid. Place the filled trays in your freezer for around four hours, or until the spinach puree is frozen solid. Transfer the solid puree to freezer-safe bags. Pop the frozen cubes of spinach out of their trays, then pack them into freezer-safe plastic bags.
Remove excess air from the bags before sealing them. If you have difficulty removing the cubes from their trays, allow them to thaw at room temperature for several minutes.
Try again once the sides and bottoms have softened, but before the cubes melt. Freeze as needed. Place the bags of frozen spinach puree back into the freezer. Store them for up to one year. You can thaw frozen spinach puree before use or add them to smoothies, stews, and similar dishes while they're still frozen solid.
Blanch it first. The spinach will last longer this way. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8. You can freeze spinach without blanching it; however, it is recommended that you blanch for 2 minutes if you are going to keep the spinach in the freezer for more than 6 months.
Maggie Peterson. If the stems are long, then yes, the stems should be removed prior to freezing. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published.
Related wikiHows How to. How to. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: 8. Updated: May 24, Article Summary X To freeze spinach, blanch it first if you want it to last for around a year, or freeze it without blanching it if you'll use it within 6 months. In other languages Italiano: Congelare gli Spinaci.
Deutsch: Spinat einfrieren. Bahasa Indonesia: Membekukan Bayam. Nederlands: Spinazie invriezen. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. So good to know that we can still have "fresh" frozen veggies despite being unable to go to the store very often.
Rated this article:. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Kathy Gwizdala Apr 7, Tu Phung Aug 24, I can apply these tips to freeze other similar vegetables.
Gill Barber Apr 11,
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