From pasta to smoothies and salads, spinach is the star ingredient in many dishes. However, the only problem is that like most other vegetables, spinach can go bad quickly if it is not stored properly. This makes it important to know how to store spinach. This is especially true for spinach lovers. You don’t want to run out of it when you are craving your favorite spinach recipe the most. Without further ado – let’s take a look at how to store spinach.
How to Store Spinach
Storing spinach is easy. You can store it in the fridge as well as the freezer. Fresh spinach can last for up to a week in the fridge. Frozen spinach stays good for up to 14 months.
▶ How to Store Spinach in the Fridge
You can elongate the life of fresh spinach by placing it in the fridge. Wrap spinach in clean and dry paper towels. Simply roll paper towels around the spinach. Now, place the spinach in a plastic container.
The paper towel will absorb extra moisture from the spinach, keeping it fresh for a longer time. On the other hand, the container will make sure that the spinach does not move around excessively or is not crushed as it would be in a bag.
Since you don’t want to freeze the spinach, make sure that the temperature of the fridge is not too low. Spinach freezes at around 32°F. However, the temperature should not be higher than 50°F as higher temperatures can lead to nutrient loss.
▶ How to Store Spinach in the Freezer
The best way to store spinach for an extended period is to freeze it.
Wash your spinach and blanch it in boiling water for a few minutes. Use an ice-water bath to cool the spinach.
Drain the water and remove excess moisture by twisting the spinach.
Tightly wrap the boiled spinach in a plastic wrap and place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag.
How to Keep Spinach Fresh For Longer
Here are a few spinach storage tips that can help keep spinach fresh for longer.
- When storing in the refrigerator, keep the spinach in the vegetable drawer.
- Store the spinach away from other fruits and vegetables.
- If you wash spinach before storing it, it is advisable to use a salad spinner to dry it first and then store it.
- Avoid storing in plastic bags, especially if the spinach or the bag is wet.
- When storing in the freezer, you can suck out air from the plastic bag with a straw. This will help avoid freezer burn.
- It is best to divide spinach into portions before freezing it.
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How to Keep Spinach Fresh For Longer
Spinach can go bad for many reasons. This makes it important to look for signs of spoilage before using spinach, especially if it is lying around in your fridge for more than a week. Here are some telltale signs of spoiled spinach.
- A darkened color
- Odd odor
- Moist or slimy texture
How to Pick Out Fresh Spinach
Picking out fresh spinach is easier than you may have imagined. Look for fresh green, crisp leaves. Your spinach should not be wilted or discolored. It is advisable to buy organic spinach, preferably the one grown without pesticides.
Check out the stem of the spinach leaves to see if the plant is young or mature. This is important because some recipes, especially those in which spinach is served raw, require young plants. Mature spinach is better suited for cooking. If the stem is thin and flexible, the plant is young. On the other hand, a thicker stem indicates a tougher plant. Pick out fresh spinach according to the recipe you have in mind.
Do You Wash Spinach before You Store It?
Moisture can speed up the decaying process. Therefore, it is best to avoid washing your spinach until you are ready to use it. If you must wash it, make sure it is dry before you store it. Leave the paper towel in the storage container. It will help absorb excessive moisture.
How to Keep Spinach from Getting Slimy
Excess moisture causes the spinach to turn slimy. If you want to keep this from happening, keep the spinach as dry as possible!
Tips on Washing Spinach
Wash your fresh spinach right before you cook it. Here are a few tips on how to wash the spinach.
- Fill a basin or a bowl with cold water and let the spinach sit in it for a few minutes before washing it under running water.
- Once you have washed the spinach, taste a leaf. If you notice even a slight hint of grit, repeat the process.
Now that you know all about how to store spinach, you can keep in the fridge or freezer at all times. Buy, wash, and store spinach in the right way to make sure you never run out of your favorite leafy veggies again!
How to freeze spinach
Yes, you can freeze your fresh spinach. You can puree spinach and freeze it. You can freeze chopped spinach. You can also freeze whole spinach. Here is how to do it.
Ingredients
- 4 c spinach
- Baking sheet
- Wax paper
- Freezer bags
- Sharp knife
- Ice tray
Instructions
Freeze Pureed spinach
- Add 4 cups of packed spinach to your blender along with 1 cup of water.
- Blend until a puree mixture
- Pour the spinach puree into ice cube trays. Fill them ¾ way full.
- Place the trays in the freezer overnight.
- Transfer the cubes of frozen spinach puree into a baggie.
- Seal the freezer bag and place them in the freezer
Freeze chopped spinach
- Chop the spinach until it reaches your desired size.
- Place small portioned amounts, as desired, into individual freezer bags.
- Place the baggies in the freezer.
Freeze whole spinach leaves
- Place small portions, as desired, into freezer bags.
- Place the baggies in the freezer.
Notes
Make sure that your spinach is clean before freezing it. If it didn’t come pre-washed be sure to wash and dry it completely before freezing it.