One of the most versatile frozen vegetables to keep stocked in your freezer is spinach. Frozen spinach is still rich in vitamins and nutrients, making it a great addition to so many recipes.
There are a variety of ways to thaw out frozen spinach. No need to worry if you’re pressed for time and need dinner on the table as fast as possible. Here are some of the best methods for thawing frozen spinach quickly.
Microwaving your frozen spinach takes only a few minutes, and then it’ll be ready for you to use. Another option would be to run your spinach under warm water until completely defrosted. Furthermore, you can also warm up your frozen spinach directly on the stovetop until no more ice is present.
Method #1: Microwaving Your Frozen Spinach
The first method is generally the quickest, and that’s to pop your frozen spinach into the microwave. For this, please ensure you have a microwave-safe bowl.
1. Remove your spinach from the freezer and place it into your bowl.
2. Heat in increments of 1 to 2 minutes, checking often.
You’ll know it’s done when the middle of the block of spinach is no longer solid.
This method may take anywhere from two to five minutes, depending on the quantity of spinach.
3. Strain the spinach to get rid of any excess liquid.
4. Place the spinach on a paper towel and squeeze out any remaining water.
Now you’re ready to use your spinach! A tip for this method is to use the defrost option on your microwave if it’s available. Overall, this method is the quickest way to defrost your frozen spinach.
Method #2: Running Warm Water Over Your Frozen Spinach
The second method involves using a strainer or colander and just some warm running water from your sink.
1. Remove the spinach from the freezer and place it inside your strainer.
2. Run warm, not hot, tap water over the spinach so that it begins to thaw.
You don’t want to use hot water for this method. Hot water could potentially cook the frozen spinach in the process of thawing it. Depending on your recipe, the spinach may then no longer be suitable.
3. Since your spinach is already drained, simply place it inside of a paper towel to remove any remaining liquid.
This process may take a few minutes longer than the first method. However, it’s a great option if you don’t have access to a microwave.
Method #3: Heating Your Frozen Spinach on the Stovetop
Another quick and easy option to reheat frozen spinach would be to warm it slowly on the stove. For this method, you can grab either a pan or a pot (both would work!) and turn the stove on low.
1. Remove your spinach from the freezer and place it into your pot.
2. Turn your stove to low and gently warm up the spinach.
You’ll want to ensure that the stove temperature stays at low, and not medium or high. If the temperature becomes too hot, you could end up with burnt spinach.
3. Once the spinach has begun to soften, keep an eye on it until it’s completely thawed.
4. Similar to the above methods, drain the water from the pot and squeeze out any excess liquid from the spinach.
In Conclusion
These were some of the quickest ways to thaw frozen spinach. You can always let your spinach thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator. However, these methods could take hours or up to days. When you need your spinach defrosted in a pinch, the above options are your best bet.
By using the microwave, warm water, or the stovetop, you’ll be ready to use your spinach in a flash. You’ll have safely defrosted your frozen spinach in less than 10 minutes.
