Frozen spinach gets a bad rap sometimes. It might not be the most glamorous ingredient, but in terms of a quick and easy addition to a dish, there’s no denying that a compact box of frosty leaves is about as handy as it comes.

Frozen spinach is not only budget-friendly, it’s the perfect weeknight ingredient when you want something healthy, delicious and versatile on your plate. Here’s our ultimate guide on all things frozen spinach – and some great spinach recipes to get you started.

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How to thaw frozen spinach

There are a few ways to tackle defrosting spinach. The first, and easiest, would be to just chuck it into a stew or soup while it’s frozen and let the stock do the work. However, if you’re looking to minimise the amount of extra water being added to your dish – like a crisp, flaky spanakopita – then try these methods.

1. In the fridge
   If you’re making a spinach dish tomorrow, pop your frozen spinach in a bowl and leave it in the fridge to thaw overnight. 
2. Over the sink
   Grab your colander and pop it in your sink. Add the frozen spinach leaves and walk away. Your leafy greens will be ready to use in a couple of hours.
3. Microwave
   The touch of a button? We like the sound of that. Most microwaves have a defrost option, and the cook-time is dependent on weight. Place your frozen spinach into a microwave-safe bowl and follow your machine’s instructions.
4. Warm water
   If you’re in a real hurry, your best bet is to run the frozen leaves under warm water. This is easiest when using a strainer or a colander but be mindful to squeeze the excess water out of the leaves once they’re defrosted.

How to cook frozen spinach

The great thing about frozen spinach is that it’s already cooked, meaning you won’t lose the volume that you would when cooking an entire bag of fresh spinach. One thing to note, however, is that it should be heated to at least 65 degrees Celsius before use. After that, add it to anything you like! Pasta sauce, stews, soup, dip, pasties, pies, pizza – the limit is only your imagination. Get inspired here.

Can fresh spinach be frozen?

Uh oh, did you forget about that bunch of spinach you picked up at the start of the week? Not a problem! Freezing and storing spinach is the work of moments and will leave you with a stash of greens whenever you need them. Roughly chop your spinach (stems too) and wilt them with a little bit of water in a pan with a lid. Once cooled, just add it to ziplock bags and freeze.

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Is frozen spinach safe to use? Can frozen spinach be used in smoothies?

Most manufacturers recommend cooking frozen vegetables to at least 65 degrees celsius to kill any potential bacteria, however unlikely its presence may be.

So, yes – you need to heat those leaves before throwing them in a blender. Don’t stress about the berries in your breakfast smoothie, though: frozen fruit generally has a higher acid content, which inhibits bacteria growth, so go nuts with the blueberries.

Is fresh spinach better for you than frozen spinach?

Spinach, in any form, is a great source of fibre, folate, iron, calcium and antioxidants. In terms of nutritional value, frozen spinach is pretty much the same as fresh (and in some cases, better). This is because your pack of spinach was harvested at its peak, processed fast and snap-frozen to maintain its integrity. A cup of frozen spinach in the off-season is likely to be superior to a cup of fresh spinach at the same time of year.

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