Transform your fresh spinach into convenient frozen portions with this simple recipe. This method locks in the nutrients and makes it easy to add spinach to your dishes at any time.
Photos of How to Make Frozen Spinach Recipe
If fresh spinach is not commonly found in your home, you may need to visit your local supermarket. Look for spinach in the produce section. Ensure you select fresh, vibrant greens without wilting or yellowing.
Ingredients for Frozen Spinach Recipe
Spinach: Fresh greens that will be cooked and frozen for later use.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the spinach, adding a slight richness.
One reader, Germaine Elrod says:
This recipe is fantastic! The spinach turned out perfectly and was so easy to prepare. I love having homemade frozen spinach ready for any dish. Highly recommend!
Techniques for Preparing Frozen Spinach Recipes
How to wash spinach: Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. How to spin to dry in a salad spinner: Place the washed spinach in a salad spinner, secure the lid, and spin until the leaves are dry. How to remove long or tough stems: Use a knife or your hands to trim off any long or tough stems from the spinach leaves. How to cook spinach in a non-stick pan: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add the spinach, and cook while stirring occasionally until the spinach is wilted and cooked through. How to cool spinach slightly: Allow the cooked spinach to sit for a few minutes until it is cool enough to handle. How to chop spinach: Place the cooled spinach on a cutting board and use a knife to chop it into smaller pieces. How to cool spinach completely: Let the chopped spinach sit until it reaches room temperature. How to freeze spinach: Place the completely cooled spinach in a medium-sized freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and seal the bag before placing it in the freezer.
How To Make Frozen Spinach
You can now make your frozen spinach to substitute for fresh spinach whenever you are craving a quick vegetable fix at home. Read on and discover how.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lbfresh spinach
- ½tspolive oil
Instructions
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Wash spinach and spin to dry in a salad spinner.
-
Remove any long or tough stems.
-
Place the fresh spinach in a large non-stick pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the spinach is cooked through for about 3 to 4 minutes.
-
Cool slightly. Place spinach on a cutting board and chop.
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Cool completely and use in place of frozen spinach in your recipe as directed or freeze in a medium sized freezer bag.
Nutrition
- Calories: 65.86kcal
- Fat: 4.94g
- Saturated Fat: 0.69g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.29g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.66g
- Carbohydrates: 4.12g
- Fiber: 2.49g
- Sugar: 0.48g
- Protein: 3.24g
- Sodium: 89.67mg
- Calcium: 112.31mg
- Potassium: 632.81mg
- Iron: 3.10mg
- Vitamin A: 531.84µg
- Vitamin C: 31.86mg
Technique Tips for Preparing Frozen Spinach Dishes
To ensure your spinach retains its vibrant green color and nutrients, blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes before sautéing. Immediately transfer the spinach to an ice bath to stop the cooking process, then proceed with the recipe.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Frozen Spinach Dishes
Use pre-washed spinach: Save time by buying pre-washed spinach to skip the washing and drying steps.
Chop before cooking: Chop the spinach before cooking to reduce cooling time and make it easier to handle.
Batch cooking: Cook a large batch of spinach and freeze in portions for future use.
Use a food processor: Quickly chop the spinach using a food processor instead of a knife.
Quick cooling: Spread the cooked spinach on a baking sheet to cool faster before freezing.
Substitute Ingredients For How to Make Frozen Spinach Recipe
Fresh spinach - Substitute with frozen spinach: Frozen spinach is already pre-cooked and can save time. It also retains most of the nutrients and can be used directly in recipes.
Fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale has a similar texture and nutritional profile, making it a good alternative in most recipes.
Fresh spinach - Substitute with Swiss chard: Swiss chard has a slightly different flavor but can be used similarly to spinach in cooked dishes.
Olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties, making it a suitable replacement.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
Olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a richer flavor to the dish, though it has a different fat composition.
Presentation Ideas for Frozen Spinach Dishes
Blanch the spinach: Quickly blanch the spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds before sautéing. This helps retain its vibrant green color and enhances the texture.
Use high-quality olive oil: Opt for a premium olive oil to sauté the spinach. The rich flavor will elevate the dish and complement the natural taste of the spinach.
Cook in small batches: Sauté the spinach in small batches to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding in the pan, which can cause the spinach to steam rather than sauté.
Season delicately: Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to the spinach while cooking. This enhances the natural flavors without overpowering them.
Drain excess liquid: After cooking, place the spinach in a fine mesh strainer to drain any excess liquid. This step ensures that the spinach remains dry and doesn't become soggy.
Chop uniformly: Once cooled, chop the spinach into uniform pieces. This creates a consistent texture and makes it easier to incorporate into other dishes.
Flash freeze: Spread the chopped spinach in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for an hour. This prevents the pieces from clumping together when stored.
Store properly: Transfer the flash-frozen spinach into a medium-sized freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the bag with the date for easy reference.
Use in gourmet dishes: Incorporate the prepared spinach into high-end recipes such as spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli, spinach and goat cheese tartlets, or as a vibrant green layer in a lasagna.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Frozen Spinach Recipes
Salad spinner: Used to wash and dry the spinach thoroughly, ensuring no excess water remains.
Large non-stick pan: Essential for cooking the spinach evenly without sticking to the surface.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the spinach while it cooks, preventing it from burning.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the cooked spinach.
Chef's knife: Used to chop the cooked spinach into smaller pieces.
Freezer bag: Used to store the spinach for freezing, keeping it fresh for future use.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Frozen Spinach Recipes
Once the spinach is completely cooled, divide it into portion sizes that suit your needs. For most recipes, 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked spinach is a good amount to freeze per portion.
Place the desired amount of cooked and cooled spinach into freezer-safe bags or containers. If using bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label the bags or containers with the date and amount of spinach inside for easy reference later.
Lay the bags flat in the freezer, which will help the spinach freeze quickly and make it easier to stack and store the frozen portions.
Frozen cooked spinach can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to use the frozen spinach, remove the desired portion from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you need to use it immediately, you can defrost the spinach in the microwave or place the sealed bag in a bowl of cold water until thawed.
Once thawed, incorporate the spinach into your favorite recipes, such as dips, pasta dishes, soups, or casseroles. Keep in mind that frozen spinach may have a slightly softer texture compared to fresh, but it will still provide the same great flavor and nutrition to your dishes.
How To Reheat Leftover Frozen Spinach Dishes
- To reheat leftover frozen spinach, simply place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Be sure to drain any excess liquid before using in your recipe.
- Another option is to reheat the frozen spinach in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a small amount of water or olive oil to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is heated through and any excess liquid has evaporated. This method allows you to control the moisture content more easily.
- For a quick and easy side dish, sauté the reheated frozen spinach with some minced garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If using the frozen spinach in a casserole or dip, you can often add it directly to the recipe without thawing or reheating. The heat from the oven or the other ingredients will cook the spinach through.
- To add a pop of color and flavor to your reheated frozen spinach, stir in some diced sun-dried tomatoes or crumbled feta cheese. These additions can elevate the simple side dish to something special.
Interesting Facts About Frozen Spinach
A random fact about this recipe is that spinach retains most of its nutrients even after being cooked and frozen. This makes it a convenient and healthy option to have on hand for various recipes.
Is Making Frozen Spinach Recipes Economical for Home Cooking?
This frozen spinach recipe is quite cost-effective. Fresh spinach is affordable, and using just a bit of olive oil keeps costs low. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $3-$4. Considering the nutritional value and versatility of spinach, this recipe is a smart choice for budget-conscious families. Overall verdict: 8/10.
Is This Spinach Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This recipe for frozen spinach is quite healthy, as it primarily consists of spinach, a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable. Spinach is low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin A, which supports eye health and immune function
- Vitamin C, an antioxidant that promotes skin health and wound healing
- Vitamin K, crucial for blood clotting and bone health
- Folate, essential for cell growth and development
- Iron, necessary for oxygen transport in the body
The recipe also uses a minimal amount of olive oil, a heart-healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this recipe, consider the following suggestions:
- Add minced garlic or onion to the spinach while cooking for added flavor and potential health benefits, such as improved heart health and reduced inflammation
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked spinach to add brightness and boost vitamin C content
- Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat and potential metabolism-boosting effects
- Experiment with other healthy seasonings like ground turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties, or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and added B vitamins
By incorporating this healthy frozen spinach recipe into a balanced diet, you can reap the numerous health benefits of this versatile and nutrient-packed vegetable.
Editor's Opinion on This Frozen Spinach Recipe
This recipe is a straightforward and efficient method to prepare spinach for freezing. The use of olive oil adds a subtle flavor while ensuring the spinach doesn't stick to the pan. Chopping the spinach after cooking makes it versatile for various dishes. However, blanching the spinach before freezing could help retain its vibrant color and nutrients better. Overall, it's a practical approach for home cooks looking to preserve fresh spinach for future use.
Enhance Your How to Make Frozen Spinach Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Alternative Recipes to Try Instead of Frozen Spinach
Why trust this How to Make Frozen Spinach Recipe:
This recipe ensures you get the freshest taste from spinach by using fresh spinach instead of store-bought frozen options. The simple addition of olive oil enhances the natural flavors, making it a healthier and tastier choice. By following these steps, you can control the quality and texture, ensuring your dishes are always top-notch. Plus, it's a quick and easy process, saving you time without compromising on flavor.
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