By Niveditha Kalyanaraman
November 17th, 2023
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Due to its high moisture content, fresh spinach is only good for up to a week. Pre-washed spinach has an especially short shelf life, so aim to use it immediately. Luckily, spinach also freezes well with proper preparation—frozen spinach can last for up to six months. Here are 5 tips to store spinach.
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Raw spinach is prone to spoilage. Before storing, it’s important to sort through the spinach leaves for yellow or brown discoloration, as well as any indication of wilting or rot. Discard any damaged or old spinach leaves.
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If you purchased a loose spinach bunch from the grocery store or farmers’ market, remove any twist ties and pat it dry if it appears wet. If your spinach came prepackaged in a plastic bag or airtight container, check for moisture inside the container.
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If loose, wrap the spinach in dry paper towels or clean dish towels, place it in a sealed freezer bag or plastic container, and put it in the crisper drawer. If the spinach came in a package of its own, you can simply put a towel or cloth in the container, seal it, and put it in the crisper.
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You can refresh fresh or blanched spinach by placing it in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes before using it.
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Add raw, young, tender spinach to salads and smoothies since it’s mild in flavor and doesn’t hold up to heat as well, whereas heartier, thicker-stemmed spinach is better for a quick sauté.
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