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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
- Prevents waste: Fresh spinach wilts quickly, but freezing lets you store it for months.
- Saves money: Buy spinach in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it for later use.
- Convenience: Frozen spinach is prepped and ready to go for smoothies, soups, stews, and other dishes.
- Retains nutrients: Freezing preserves most of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh spinach.
- 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.
- Wash the spinach: Rinse thoroughly under cold water, swishing the leaves to remove dirt and pesticides. Repeat if needed until the water runs clear.
- Dry completely: Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming.
- 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.
- 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 Long Can you Freeze Frozen Spinach?
If using spinach within a few months, a standard freezer is sufficient. For longer freezing duration, use a deep freezer since it will keep the frozen food at a lower temperature, prolonging its quality. Double bag the spinach in order to prevent freezer burn.
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.
- Add 4 cups of spinach to your blender with 1 cup water. Blend until it reaches a juice-like consistency.
- Pour contents into ice cube trays and freeze for several hours or until completely frozen.
- 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:
- Prepare an ice bath and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Blanch the spinach in small batches for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer it to the ice bath to halt the cooking process.
- Once cooled, drain and squeeze out excess water to prevent ice crystal formation.
- 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.
How to Use Frozen Spinach
Now that you’ve got a freezer full of frozen spinach, check out the smoothie recipes below that you can swap it in for fresh spinach:
Common Questions
Yes, you can freeze spinach without cooking it, but there are some trade-offs to consider. Raw frozen spinach will have a softer, more wilted texture than fresh spinach when thawed. It’s generally best used in cooked dishes, smoothies, or recipes where texture isn’t paramount. Without blanching, enzymes in the spinach will continue to work, albeit slowly, even in the freezer. This can lead to gradual loss of color, flavor, and nutrients over time. Raw spinach contains a lot of moisture, which can form ice crystals during freezing. This can further affect the texture and lead to a watery product.
It’s not necessary to blanch spinach before freezing. Yet keep in mind blanching spinach offers multiple benefits beyond simple preservation. It notably reduces soluble oxalates, compounds that can interfere with mineral absorption and, in high concentrations, contribute to kidney stones. Simultaneously, this brief heat treatment deactivates enzymes responsible for degradation, effectively preserving the spinach’s vibrant color, fresh flavor, and essential nutrients.
Yes, you can freeze bagged spinach, although there are a few things to consider to maximize its quality. You’ll want to transfer the spinach to freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
The best way to freeze fresh spinach is to wash it thoroughly, then either blanch for 30 seconds and transfer to an ice bath or freeze it raw for a quicker option. Pat dry, store in airtight freezer bags, and remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. For smoothies, blend with water and freeze in ice cube trays. Frozen spinach lasts for months and works well in soups, stews, and cooked dishes.
Spinach should always be washed before freezing to remove dirt, pesticides, and bacteria. Rinse it thoroughly under cold water, then pat dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture. If blanching before freezing, washing is an essential first step to preserve freshness and quality for long-term storage.
More How-To Recipes
Love learning how to use more plants in your life? Then you’ll want to learn how to…
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.
How to Freeze Spinach Cubes
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach 10-oz bag
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add ingredients to the jar of a blender in the order listed. Pulse a few times, then turn onto high and blend until smooth. If needed, add a little more water for easier blending.
- Scrape down sides of blender and look to see how much liquid there is. Add enough water to fill to the 4 cup (32-ounce) line. Blend again.
- Fill two standard 16-well ice cube trays with the pureed greens. Tap the trays gently on the counter to remove any air bubble and place in freezer.
- Freeze for several hours, preferably overnight, until solid.
- Pop out of ice cube trays and store in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Write the date you frozen on the bag with a sharpie.
- When ready to use, toss 6-8 cubes into blender for any smoothie recipe that calls for 1 cup spinach.
Equipment
- freezer-safe bags
- sharpie marker
Notes
- Swap spinach for kale, romaine, arugula, chard, or other leafy greens you like or combined with spinach.
- Swap water for coconut water for an electrolyte boost.
How many cubes would you blend in your recipes?
Hey Theresa,
It depends on how much spinach you had to freeze. If you blended a half cup of spinach and put the entire thing in one tray, then I would put the whole tray in your blender 🙂
What a great way to prevent waste of fresh leafy greens that sometimes go bad before they are all used up.
Thanks for the tip!!
You are very welcome, Christina!
When my leafy greens are at the end of their fridge life I pack them into a ziploc in 1 cup increments and freeze them. ARe your cubes better (healthwise)?
Hey Beth,
That is a great way to freeze your greens as well. We just wanted to share another way you can use up your extra greens that you might have laying around.
I just put the bag of greens in my freezer. It does take up more room than cubes would, but then the recipe is just the same, and you are not blending ice cubes, which can be bad for your blender. I also cut up and freeze anything that is just starting to get overripe, or I don’t want to use right then, to use in smoothies later, like cubed beets, cut up carrots, pears, apples, peaches, mangos, etc. I buy boxes of bananas on sale, peel them, break in half, and arrange flat in gallon Ziplocs. They do discolor over time, but are fine for smoothies.
Another hack that I use, too (for SGS meals!) is use my ice trays to freeze tablespoons of tomato paste. When a recipe calls for a few tablespoons of paste, less than the whole can, I measure the leftovers into ice trays in 1 T. increments. Freeze and pop into a Ziploc bag to save for other recipes. Recipes calling for tomato paste are usually hot anyway, and it only take a minute for them to melt into whatever you are using them for.
Hey Carol,
I love your freezing method! Thank you so much for sharing that 🙂
These leafy green ice cubs are not bad for your blender because they are not as dense as just water is in a solid ice cube. This is just another option that could help with salvaging your extra greens you might have left over after you have blended your batch.
That is how I do all my greens also my herbs
Hey Louise,
That is so awesome!!!
Cheers!
How many cubes would you put in a smoothie???
Hey Lola,
When you blend 2 cups greens and 1/2 cup liquid that should fill up a whole tray. So however much that fills up is what you will add to your smoothie. If your tray has 12 cubes then you will add those 12 to your smoothie.
Hope that helps!
Why can’t you just freeze spinach as is and grab them when you are ready to blend?
Hey Tudy,
You can totally do that too! This is just another option to freeze your greens. Also, doing it this way you already have your water (or other liquid) in it so you just need to add your fruit and you are ready to go.
Cheers!
Totally going to try this! I’m so excited about this. I am constantly throwing away greens because I couldn’t use them fast enough.
Hey Brianna,
It’s so awesome!! Have fun saving your greens =P
This is such a great idea! I like to prep my smoothies ahead of time whenever I can so I throw the spinach in the freezer bag along with the fruit. Definitely trying this for the spinach I have leftover though.
Thank you for sharing!
Hey Adaiha,
It really is a great way to save that extra spinach!! Can’t wait for you to give it a try.
Cheers!! 🙂
Quick Question! If a recipe calls for 1 cup of leafy greens, how many green cubes would you use in this instance?
Love you guys so much!
Thank you!
Hey Jade,
When you blend 2 cups greens and 1/2 cup liquid that should fill up a whole tray. So however much that fills up is what you will add to your smoothie. If your tray has 12 cubes then you will add those 12 to your smoothie.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Oh duh – That makes sense. haha! Thank you so much!
It says 2 cups of greens and 1/2 liquid. 1/2 of what? 1/2 cup of water? Thanks!
Hey Leigh,
Yes it would be water unless you are making your smoothie with a different liquid base, like almond milk or ect.
Hope that helps!
Yes I do sometimes get frustrated by not using my greens fast enough. This is a green saver! Thank you for this tip. Great way to prep ahead!
Hey Theresa,
So glad you found this post to be helpful!!
Cheers to saving those greens!!
While not freezer related, I have purchased a Genius Air Plus Refrigerator Refresher & Deodorizer. It helps keep food in the fridge fresher longer and keeps odors down. It’s like a battery powered box of Arm and Hammer.
Hey Donweber,
That is so interesting! I have not heard of that before but will definitely check it out.
Thank you for sharing that with us 🙂
Hi Carissa. I meant to mention that QVC has them.
I stuff spinach into 1 cup containers (ziploc style plastic) and freeze. When I have lots I also have filled larger containers (and froze) and just cut out as needed. I then just pop into blender and blend as usual. I also put kale into containers and freeze. I blend from frozen for a smoother finished product.
Hey Pam,
That’s a creative way to freeze your greens!
Thank you for sharing that with us! 🙂
Hi Pam,
Thanks for your tip. I prefer not to use ice cube containers ( because they’re plastic). This will work out great for me.
Would love to do this, but do not have the freezer space! Instead, I package greens in freezer bags – once I fill the bag, I flatten and roll to get the air out! I can find room for the rolled bags!!! When ready to use, I hit the bag against the counter edge to shatter the greens and then use what I need!
Hey Kathy,
That is a pretty rawesome way to freeze your greens too!
Thanks for sharing =D
What is in the ice cubes to the right? (Looks like bananas maybe?).
It could be ginger?!!
Hey Amy,
Yes you are correct those ice tray to the right are the same thing but with banana 🙂