What is the best way to drain frozen spinach? If you have a bag of frozen spinach in your freezer that you don’t know how to use?
This blog post is for you! We will show you the best way to drain frozen spinach.
It’s straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Keep reading for instructions on how to do it!
Frozen spinach may be drained and securely in the refrigerator, with warm water, at room temperature, in the microwave, or while cooking.
How To Drain Water From Frozen Spinach.
Do you need to drain frozen spinach?
When deciding which technique to utilize to drain your frozen spinach, consider how quickly you need it.
These best approaches vary from a couple of hours to a few minutes.
Method #1. Reheating Spinach on the Stove
Step#1. First, Heat a Big Frying Pan on Low or Medium-Low Heat
The pan should be big enough to hold all of the frozen spinach.
Add the frozen spinach to the pan after it has warmed up. The spinach will hiss slightly and emit steam.
- Your skillet is excessively hot if the spinach produces a lot of steam or makes loud cracking noises. Turn down the heat.
Step#2. Slowly Reheat the Spinach
Stir the frozen spinach around the pan until it is soft. When the block is soft, use your cooking spoon to split it into smaller bits.
Continue breaking up the spinach as it heats up to help it reheat quicker.
The whole procedure will take between four and six minutes. It has finished thawing when your spinach is limp and extremely warm to the touch.
- Don’t be concerned if there is a lot of liquid in the pan. This will be drained later.
- Cook the spinach without overcooking it. The taste of burnt spinach is peculiar.
Step#3. Drain the Spinach
In a clean sink, place a heat-resistant colander. Fill the colander halfway with warmed spinach.
Using a big spoon, push out as much liquid as possible as it drains.
- Before draining the spinach, set the colander in a wide basin or casserole dish to catch the cooking fluids.
Method #2. Steaming Frozen Spinach in the Microwave
Step#1. Fill a Microwave-Safe Bowl Halfway with Spinach
Paper bowls, plastic Tupperware, and bowls with metallic paint or trim should be avoided. Choose a glass or ceramic bowl instead.
Furthermore, the bowl should be large enough to hold all of the frozen spinach.
Some frozen spinach packages instruct you to keep the spinach in the bag while reheating.
If so, place the bag on a ceramic or glass plate before microwaving it.
Step#2. Microwave the Frozen Spinach:
Follow the directions on the package for microwaving. If you can’t locate them, start heating the spinach for one minute on high in the microwave.
If the spinach isn’t entirely warmed, put it again in the microwave for thirty seconds at a time.
- To properly spread the heat, stir the spinach between cooking periods.
- Check the spinach for doneness by gently touching it. Spinach that has been fully warmed will be simple to mix and warm to the touch.
Step#2. Drain the Spinach
In a big ceramic bowl, place a clean dish towel. Pour the spinach over the dishtowel next.
Lift the spinach away from the bowl by holding the towel’s edges together.
Squeeze the spinach firmly in the towel to remove all of the cooking liquid.
- Allow the spinach to cool somewhat before using this procedure. Otherwise, your hands may be burned.
Method #3. In the Refrigerator
This draining frozen spinach takes the most time, but it produces the best results.
Step#1. Put the Frozen Spinach in the Refrigerator
Place the spinach in the refrigerator once it has been frozen. Allow it to thaw naturally rather than going through many processes to defrost it properly.
Because the temperature lowers slowly and gradually, the frozen spinach will not get soggy or overly drenched with water.
This strategy may not be the ideal option if you’re preparing a last-minute supper.
It's advisable to prepare ahead for this strategy since it will take a day or two to complete.
Step#2. Drain the Frozen
What is the best way to drain frozen spinach.? You may drain it after letting it defrost overnight.
Clean the dish towel and set it in the large ceramic basin. Next, transfer the spinach to a dish towel.
Spinach may be removed from the bowl by holding the towel’s edges together.
Spinach should be squeezed hard in a towel to remove all of the cooking liquid.
Wait until the spinach has cooled down a little before proceeding. Do not touch anything hot unless you want to risk burns to your hands.
Tip: If you do not want to defrost the whole package of spinach, split it up, put it in a resealable plastic bag, and keep it in the refrigerator.
Method #4. Use Warm Water
If you’re in a rush, you can quickly use this method and use some warm water to have it thawed without waiting hours or even days.
- Open the package of frozen spinach with a sieve. Place the spinach in the sieve and spread it out evenly.
- Then, from the sink, run warm water over the frozen spinach. Check that the water pressure is not too high.
- Use your hands to gently turn the frozen spinach and push the ice blocks away from it so it can defrost correctly.
- The drainer will also assist in draining superfluous liquid while defrosting just well-thawed spinach.
Method #5. In the Room Temperature
The operative word is to thaw it at room temperature, although we recommend doing it in the sink so that you don’t have to clean up while it melts.
Step#1. Set the Frozen Spinach in a Colander in the Sink to Thaw
Place the frozen spinach in a colander and set it in the sink to defrost. The time it takes to defrost depends on how warm or cold the space is.
The optimum time to defrost your spinach is 8 hours after melting it at room temperature.
Step#2. Drain the Spinach
Once completely defrosted, press the excess water using a paper towel or gently compress the defrosted leaves by placing them flat on one hand and pushing the excess water with the other.
Precautions To Take When Draining Frozen Spinach
- Always use warm water to drain frozen spinach, so it doesn’t cook. Hot water will deplete its fluids.
- Do not keep frozen spinach out at room temperature for too long.
- If you drain it in the microwave, don’t use the highest setting because the spinach may burn.
- Never consume frozen spinach that hasn’t been adequately drained.
- Do not return thawed spinach or any other greens to the freezer.
- When storing frozen spinach or other frozen greens, keep an eye on the expiry date to avoid eating expired food.
FAQs About The Best Way To Drain Frozen Spinach
Do you have other questions about the best way to drain water from frozen spinach?
The following are a few examples of additional questions often asked concerning draining frozen spinach.
Is Frozen Spinach as Healthy as Fresh?
You’ll get less nutritional value from fresh spinach if you wait too long to consume it since its vitamins and folate degrade with time.
When spinach is frozen, it maintains many of its nutritional qualities.
How Long Does Frozen Spinach Need to be Cooked?
Frozen spinach may be cooked the same way as fresh spinach by boiling it for 11 minutes and then draining it in a strainer.
Is It Ok to Use Frozen Spinach in Smoothies?
It is possible to use frozen spinach in the recipe, but you should know that it has been blanched and will taste somewhat cooked.
Since frozen spinach is thicker than fresh, you’ll only need a third cup. Do not thaw before blending; add frozen ingredients.
Read Next: What Is The Fastest Way To Thaw Pork Shoulder?
Final Verdict.
So, What is the best way to drain frozen spinach? When it comes to methods to drain spinach, there are several possibilities.
Under warm water, in the refrigerator, at room temperature, in the microwave, and during cooking are all practical and straightforward methods.
All of these approaches will provide great, fresh spinach for your meals.
Follow the guidelines to prevent having soggy or wet spinach after defrosting, regardless of how you do it.
Thanks for reading.