How to Freeze Spinach

Spinach is my favorite leafy green to blend into smoothies, yet it also goes bad quickly in the fridge. I’m going to show you how to freeze spinach (or any other leafy green) to save space, reduce waste and guarantee you always have spinach for a green smoothie.

Can You Freeze Spinach?

I know we’ve all been here: you buy a bag of fresh baby spinach, place it in your fridge crisper drawer and vow to use it for daily wraps and smoothies. Two weeks later, you’re digging through the fridge and find “that bag,” stinky, slimy mush that once resembled spinach.

We don’t have to go through that anymore. There is a better way to store spinach and other leafy greens. Freezing spinach, kale, chard, etc is a great way to extend the shelf life and reduce waste while preserving its nutrients.

Benefits of Freezing Spinach

1. Prevents waste: Fresh spinach wilts quickly, but freezing lets you store it for months.
2. Saves money: Buy spinach in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it for later use.
3. Convenience: Frozen spinach is prepped and ready to go for smoothies, soups, stews, and other dishes.
4. Retains nutrients: Freezing preserves most of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh spinach.
5. Versatility: You can use frozen spinach in a variety of cooked dishes (quiche, soups, smoothies) without worrying about it spoiling.

Bottom line: Freezing spinach locks in nutrients like iron, fiber, and vitamins A & C, ensuring you always have a healthy boost ready for smoothies, soups, or sautés. No more wasting wilted greens—just freeze and use as needed! Plus, it’s budget-friendly and saves you extra grocery trips.

How to Freeze Fresh Spinach

Freezing fresh spinach is a fantastic way to boost your smoothie with more vitamins and minerals. By freezing spinach, you ensure you always have a readily available source of leafy greens, eliminating the risk of it wilting and going to waste. Plus, freezing fresh spinach blends seamlessly into smoothies, adding a nutritional punch without altering the texture significantly.

1. Wash the spinach: Rinse thoroughly under cold water, swishing the leaves to remove dirt and pesticides. Repeat if needed until the water runs clear.
2. Dry completely: Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming.

3. Pack for freezing: Place the spinach in freezer-safe bags or containers, pressing out excess air to minimize freezer burn. Consider portioning for easier use later.
4. Label and freeze: Write the date on the bag or container and lay flat in the freezer, ensuring good air circulation for even freezing. Once solid, you can stack them neatly.

How to Freeze Raw Spinach Cubes

Freezing spinach into cubes is a convenient and efficient way to preserve this nutrient-rich leafy green for your next green smoothie. Plus, this method ensures your smoothie won’t have any leafy chunks (when you add a frozen spinach cube to your smoothie) and takes up the least amount of space in your freezer.

1. Add 4 cups of spinach to your blender with 1 cup water. Blend until it reaches a juice-like consistency.
2. Pour contents into ice cube trays and freeze for several hours or until completely frozen.
3. Transfer the frozen spinach cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.

You can follow the steps above and replace the spinach for kale, chard, romaine, cabbage, and even herbs.

How to Blanch Spinach for Freezing

Blanching can reduce the amount of soluble oxalates in spinach. This is helpful because oxalates can hinder the absorption of some minerals, and in high concentrations can contribute to kidney stones. The blanching process also deactivates enzymes, preserving the spinach’s color, flavor, and nutrients. Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:  

1. Prepare an ice bath and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Blanch the spinach in small batches for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer it to the ice bath to halt the cooking process.
3. Once cooled, drain and squeeze out excess water to prevent ice crystal formation.
4. You can then chop the spinach if desired and portion it into ice cube trays or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

If you decide to freeze spinach into cubes, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.