Can you cook frozen spinach?

An icy package of blanched greens may not be the sexiest vegetable, but when it comes to convenience and helping in the struggle to add greens to every meal, frozen spinach wins. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this freezer staple.

Can you cook frozen spinach without thawing?

When You Don’t Have to Defrost Frozen Spinach Yes, you can actually skip the fussy step of thawing and squeezing out the liquid from frozen spinach more often than you might think. Anytime what you’re making won’t be ruined or made too soggy with excess liquid, feel free to use the spinach straight from the freezer.

How do I quickly cook frozen spinach?

The best way to defrost frozen spinach is to warm it in the microwave for a few minutes or warm it over low heat on the stove in pot and strain excess water with a mesh sieve or colander. Depending on your grocery store’s freezer section, you can typically find frozen spinach either chopped or as whole leaf.

Is it OK to saute frozen spinach?

The amount of iron in spinach also increases after you cook spinach. One way to prepare spinach is to saute it. Serve sauteed spinach as a side dish. Allow yourself extra time when you make this dish, since you must thaw frozen spinach before you can saute it.

How do you eat frozen spinach?

Here are 10 ways we love turning a bag of frozen spinach into a satisfying meal.

1. Blend it into smoothies.
2. Add it to a pot of soup.
3. Fold it into a frittata, quiche, or egg casserole.
4. Add it to a stir-fry.
5. Make savory pancakes.
6. Toss it into pasta.
7. Add it to a grain bowl.
8. Blitz it into a pesto.

How healthy is frozen spinach?

Frozen is a good choice, but if you use frozen spinach, simply let it thaw and use it in your recipe. There’s no need to cook it again (it’s been cooked once, before processing)—doing so will reduce its level of folate, an important B vitamin for heart health.

Can I thaw frozen spinach in the microwave?

– For best results, thaw frozen spinach in its package in the refrigerator as much as two days ahead or for several hours at room temperature. – Short of thawing spinach in advance, the microwave oven does a good last-minute job, but do not cook it, just defrost it.

How do you use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Most varieties of frozen spinach come in 10 oz packages and needs to be drained once it’s thawed because it will produce a lot of water. A 10 oz package of frozen spinach is the equivalent about a 1 pound bunch of fresh spinach.

How do you cook frozen spinach balls?

How to Cook Frozen Spinach Without Destroying Nutrients

1. Remove the frozen spinach from the freezer and remove it from its packaging.
2. Place the frozen spinach in a frying pan made of aluminum or cast iron, or coated with a nonstick material.
3. Heat up the pan on the stove on low or medium-low heat.

How do I cook frozen spinach in the microwave?

Remove the frozen block of spinach from the box and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the spinach for 1-2 minutes or until the spinach becomes soft and mushy.

Why do recipes call for frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Generally, you’ll want to use fresh spinach when either texture or color are of importance — salads, pestos, frittatas and soups usually fit this bill. Frozen spinach gets its due when quantity and moisture are of paramount concern.

How do I cook frozen spinach so it’s not soggy?

Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then add spinach and garlic or garlic powder. Stir for 2 minutes, then add your liquid of choice. Add salt and pepper then bring to a simmer and allow liquid to evaporate a bit, about 5 minutes. Serve when you’re ready.

Do you have to cook frozen spinach for smoothies?

Frozen spinach can be used in the recipe, however, it has been blanched and that will give it a slightly cooked flavor. Frozen spinach is much more compact, so use ⅓ cup instead of 2 cups packed fresh spinach. Do not defrost, just add directly to the blender.

How do you store spinach in the freezer?

How to Freeze Spinach

1. Wash your greens, pat or spin dry in a salad spinner.
2. Place the leaves in flat layers inside freezer bags and press down.
3. When the bags are full, squeeze out all the air, tie the bags up and place them in the freezer.