Cooking frozen spinach has never been easier with these three fantastic methods to create a tender and delicious side dish that everyone will enjoy. Whether you prefer using an air fryer, stovetop, or pressure cooker, there’s a perfect technique to suit your style and taste preferences, leaving you with the perfect spinach dish.
Even if you’re tight on time, there’s no need to sacrifice quality, as our air fryer spinach method offers a fast and simple solution that produces great results. With these versatile cooking options, healthy and delightful spinach dishes are just a few steps away, making it an ideal choice for your next meal.
Key Takeaways
Discover three easy ways to cook frozen spinach
Air fryer method provides a fast and simple option
Versatile techniques ensure there’s a method for everyone
Frozen Chopped Spinach
Residing in a small town means relying on frozen vegetables throughout the year. Don’t worry, though: you can still enjoy the taste of fresh spinach by using frozen chopped spinach. To make the most of it, skip the frozen bricks with pre-cooked leaves and opt for bagged whole leaf or chopped spinach from the freezer section at your local grocery store.
To make frozen spinach taste great, follow these simple tips:
Empty the contents of the bag, observing the quality of the leaves.
Experiment with seasonings and cooking methods that enhance the flavor.
Enjoy the versatility and convenience of frozen spinach in your recipes.
In the end, you’ll be able to create dishes that taste just like they were made with fresh spinach!
Air Fryer Frozen Spinach
Air fryers can do more than just make food crispy. For instance, they can help you effortlessly prepare a tender spinach side dish, similar to wilted collard greens. Next time you grab some fresh spinach leaves, consider making delightful air fryer spinach chips. However, if you prefer a tender side dish, just follow the easy-to-use printable recipe provided below. Additionally, you can explore other cooking methods listed to determine which one is ideal for you. Give your air fryer a chance to impress with its versatility, and enjoy a delicious and healthy spinach dish in no time.
How to Cook Frozen Spinach in Instant Pot Swiftly
To achieve tender and buttery spinach like your grandmother used to prepare, simply use your Instant Pot to steam frozen spinach without any change in cooking time. This method works just as well with fresh leaves. Enjoy your delicious and quickly prepared spinach dish!
How to Cook Frozen Spinach in the Microwave
If you’re in a small space or traveling in an RV, using a microwave to cook frozen spinach is a convenient and quick option. To do this, follow these simple steps:
Place the frozen spinach in a microwave-safe bowl, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the bowl with a plate.
Set your microwave to 50% power.
Heat the spinach for 6 minutes, then give it a stir.
Taste the spinach, and if it isn’t warm enough, heat it in 1-minute increments until it reaches your desired temperature.
You can enjoy this warm spinach on its own, perhaps with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or use it as a base for a delicious spinach and artichoke dip.
Creamed Spinach Frozen
Want to prepare a delightful spinach quiche for dinner? Remember to thicken it up nicely with some cream first. For an irresistible touch, add cheese and sliced mushrooms to your dish.
Follow these easy creamed spinach steps, and don’t worry whether you’re using fresh or frozen spinach – both work just fine. If you opt for frozen spinach, you might need just a minute or two more of cooking time, but that’s no big deal. Enjoy your delicious spinach quiche or incorporate creamed spinach into a casserole, spinach dip, or egg dishes.
Frozen Spinach Recipe
To make a delicious spinach lasagna, start by softening the frozen spinach until it has a creamy consistency. This versatile ingredient can be incorporated into various dishes. For instance, add a few tablespoons of it to a slow cooker tortellini soup for a healthy veggie twist.
Here are some delightful spinach recipes to try:
Spinach casserole – a potluck favorite among adults
Spinach stuffed shells – a quick and satisfying 30-minute meal
Thawing and heating frozen spinach can be done using an air fryer or a Ninja Foodi. Although it’s usually not recommended to put anything directly in the basket, this technique works well for spinach, as you don’t want it to get crispy.
Cooking Time for Frozen Spinach
The duration of cooking frozen spinach depends on the method you choose:
Pressure cooker or air fryer: These are the fastest options, with similar cooking times if you account for the pressurizing
Stovetop: A slightly longer process compared to the pressure cooker or air fryer
Oven: This takes the longest among the three methods
Remember to approach cooking frozen spinach with a friendly and innovative mindset – explore various dishes and enjoy the tasty, healthy results!
Cooking Frozen Spinach on the Stove
To cook frozen spinach the traditional way using your stovetop, you can follow these easy steps. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is ideal, but any frying pan will do just fine.
Place the skillet on the stove and heat it over low/medium heat.
Add the frozen greens to the skillet and use a wooden spoon to break them up.
Drizzle 1-2 tbsp of olive oil or butter over the spinach, allowing it to wilt and defrost.
Keep stirring and breaking up any larger chunks.
Add seasoning to taste, toss, and serve at your preferred temperature.
If you’re interested in cooking frozen spinach with eggs, simply follow the method above. Once the spinach is mostly warm, pour in your whisked egg mixture. Use a spatula to combine the cooked eggs and spinach together. Serve the dish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
This versatile and flavorful dish is perfect for a delightful brunch menu, especially during the holiday season. Your guests are sure to enjoy it!
Frozen Spinach in Air Fryer
Using an air fryer to cook frozen spinach is a great option. It’s quick, and the spinach retains its moisture and taste. To get started, just toss the spinach in a small amount of olive oil or melted butter halfway through cooking. Add salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings to enhance the flavor.
Before cooking, be sure to break up any large chunks of frozen spinach. This is true for any cooking method, including the Instant Pot. For the air fryer, it’s likely you’ll need two pieces of parchment paper that fit inside your cooking basket.
As you cook the spinach in the air fryer, you may need to replace the parchment paper halfway through. The original piece might become soggy and wet, so simply discard it and place a fresh piece in the basket. Continue cooking till the spinach is heated to your satisfaction. This technique can also be used for reheating previously cooked spinach. Enjoy your air-fried spinach and how easy it is to achieve a delicious, steaming hot side dish!
How to Reheat Cooked Spinach
To reheat your leftover cooked spinach, using the stovetop or the air fryer is the ideal option. When you have spinach stored in the fridge and want to bring them back to life, follow these simple steps:
Place your cooked spinach in a suitable pan for the stovetop or a tray for the air fryer.
Add approximately 1 tablespoon of butter to the spinach.
Heat it on the stovetop for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, or in the air fryer for a short duration, usually less time than you would for frozen spinach.
This way, you’ll have your delicious reheated spinach ready to enjoy in just a few moments! If you’re looking for more recipes like this, explore methods to cook frozen Brussels sprouts as well. And if you have other reheating techniques in mind that aren’t mentioned here, feel free to share your suggestions! Happy cooking!
Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the basket and pour in the frozen spinach.
Air fry for 5 minutes, then transfer the spinach to a bowl and mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
Put the parchment paper back in the air fryer and spread the seasoned spinach on top. Air fry for an additional 3 minutes, or until warmed to your preference.
Notes
By following these simple instructions, you can enjoy cooked frozen spinach as a healthy and tasty side dish. Rich in vitamins A and K, cooking frozen spinach is a quick and easy way to get the most out of this superfood. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking, and feel free to get creative with your choice of flavors.
Generally, it takes about 5 to 8 minutes to cook frozen spinach. Remember to adjust the cooking time depending on the quantity and the dish you’re preparing.
Simple Recipes with Frozen Spinach
Spinach and ricotta stuffed shells
Creamy spinach dip
Spinach and feta quesadilla
Spinach and artichoke stuffed chicken
Cooking Frozen Spinach with Eggs
Yes, you can cook frozen spinach with eggs for a delicious and healthy meal. Simply thaw and drain the frozen spinach, then sauté it in a pan before adding beaten eggs and your choice of seasonings.
Preparing Southern Style Frozen Spinach
Thaw and drain spinach.
Heat oil in a skillet and add garlic and onion.
Sauté until softened.
Add the spinach, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Cook for a few minutes until flavors meld.
Stir in some vinegar before serving.
Nutritious Frozen Spinach Dishes
Spinach and quinoa salad
Spinach and vegetable stir-fry
Spinach and mushroom frittata
Spinach and chickpea curry
Cooking Pasta with Frozen Spinach
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
In a separate pan, heat oil and sauté garlic.
Add thawed and drained spinach.
Add any desired seasonings, and cook for a few minutes.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
