How to Chop & Drain Frozen Spinach

Frozen spinach works well in lasagna and casseroles.

Frozen spinach is a handy substitute for fresh spinach. In some recipes, such as soups, you can throw a block of frozen spinach directly into your cooking pot. Other recipes call for thawed, drained spinach. Some thawing methods require advance planning, but thawing spinach in a microwave takes only a few minutes. Frozen spinach usually comes chopped, and for most recipes, no further chopping is necessary. For recipes that require very finely cut spinach, chop it as you would any other leafy vegetable or herb. Does this Spark an idea?

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Microwave-safe container
Vented lid or plastic wrap
Zip-seal plastic bag
Colander
Cutting board
Chef's knife

Instructions

Thawing
- 1
  
  Move the frozen package of spinach from the freezer to the refrigerator a day or two before you need it. It will thaw gradually.
- 2
  
  Defrost the spinach in the microwave, if you haven't already thawed it gradually. Remove the frozen spinach from its packaging, put into a microwave-safe container with a vented lid, or cover the container loosely with plastic wrap. Heat it on the "defrost" setting for several minutes, stirring the spinach periodically, until fully thawed.
- 3
  
  Thaw spinach using the cold-water method, as another option. Remove the spinach from cardboard packaging. If it's not sealed in an interior plastic pouch, place the spinach in a zip-seal plastic bag. Place the spinach in a sink or large bowl full of cold water. Check the spinach, and change the water every half hour until it's thawed. For faster thawing, run cold water over the pack of spinach.
Draining and Chopping
- 4
  
  Place the thawed spinach in a colander, set it over the sink and allow the excess liquid to drain away. If a recipe calls for the spinach to be "squeezed dry," gently press the spinach until it releases no more liquid.
- 5
  
  Put the spinach on a cutting board.
- 6
  
  Cut through the spinach with a sharp chef's knife, first cutting one direction, then moving the cutting board 45 degrees and cutting perpendicular to your first cuts.

Tips & Warnings

Check the packaging of frozen spinach for specific microwave defrosting instructions.
To prevent contamination, don't allow frozen spinach to come into contact with raw meat or unwashed vegetables as you thaw and chop it. Use a clean knife and cutting board, and cook the spinach immediately after chopping.