How to Thaw Frozen Spinach: 4 Spinach Defrosting Methods

A member of the Amaranthaceae family, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) counts chard, beets, and quinoa among its not-so-distant relations. Its tender, loose leaves are popular in salads, but its creamy texture and high water content makes it especially useful as a blank flavor canvas, or as a bright addition to purées, sauces, and even things like pasta dough.

Freezing fresh spinach is a great way to preserve the nutrient-packed greens for later use. Consider the following methods for freezing:

1. 1. Freezer bag: Wash the fresh spinach leaves to remove dirt, then pat them dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove the excess water. Place the spinach leaves in a zip-top bag and press out as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing. Frozen spinach leaves will last in the freezer for six months.
2. 2. Blanching: If you want your spinach to last longer in the freezer without losing its green hue, blanch your spinach for a few minutes in boiling water. Put the blanched spinach in cold water to stop it from cooking, then remove the spinach using a strainer. Squeeze excess water from the spinach before putting the leaves in a freezer bag. Blanched spinach can last up to a year in the freezer.
3. 3. Ice cube trays: Purée raw spinach in a blender, adding in some water to loosen it up. Pour the blended spinach in an ice cube tray and freeze, then move the blocks of spinach into a freezer bag for long-term storage. You can add the spinach cubes to a sauce, soup, or a smoothie.

You can cook frozen spinach straight from the freezer, but some recipes may require you to defrost frozen spinach first. Some ways to thaw spinach include:

1. 1. Refrigerator: Put the frozen spinach leaves in a bowl and leave them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them completely.
2. 2. Counter: Leave the frozen spinach on the counter in a bowl at room temperature. You can also thaw the frozen spinach in a colander over a sink so the excess water from the melted spinach can drain.
3. 3. Microwave oven: Place the frozen spinach in a microwave-safe bowl, and use the defrost setting on the microwave to quickly thaw the frozen spinach.
4. 4. Warm water: The quickest way to defrost frozen spinach is to place the spinach in a strainer. Run warm water over the strainer and continually turn the leaves to ensure all the ice melts.

Freezing spinach and then thawing it wilts the leaves, so the greens are no longer crunchy. Fresh spinach works well in salads and other raw applications, but if a recipe calls for cooked spinach, you can use frozen spinach. You can use defrosted spinach to make soup, sauce, stir-fry, quiche, or filler for lasagna. You can also blend defrosted spinach in a blender to make a smoothie or a spinach dip.

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