Whether the spinach comes loose and you select the leaves, or in pre-washed bags and clamshells, we all want fresh spinach without the wilted leaves and sogginess. Let’s make it easy to find that delicious spinach, so we can enjoy it in all kinds of ways! This post is all about how to select and store spinach, in order to be able to fully enjoy it.
(This post is an excerpt from The Produce Nerd’s Grocery Guide, with input provided by Gold Coast Packing. You can learn more about the Grocery Guide, which covers this information for 55 different produce items, with input from 26 crop-specific companies HERE.)
What to look for when picking the best quality spinach?
- You want to look for crisp green leaves, with no wilting or wrinkling.
Common issues to avoid when selecting spinach?
- Avoid brown or mushy leaves in a package. A bagged spinach product should not have a lot of moisture.
Are there any common issues that are specifically caused by bad grocery store handling?
- If spinach is not handled well it will wrinkle and have limp leaves. Avoid this.
What is the best way to store spinach at home?
- Bagged spinach should be stored in your veggie drawer in your refrigerator. To help absorb moisture, you can place a paper towel in the bag.
- Regardless of how you bought it (loose, bagged, clamshell), spinach should always be stored in the refrigerator.
Should you wash spinach before storing it?
- No. With loose fresh spinach, wait until you are about to use it to wash it to keep it fresher longer.
Do I need to wash triple-washed spinach before eating it?
- No. You do not need to wash your triple-washed spinach before eating it, because it has already been washed three times! (You can read this post to learn more about the triple-wash system.)
How to keep spinach from getting wet and soggy?
- Start by selecting the freshest spinach at the store (all green, very little moisture in the bag/container), storing it in the refrigerator, and make sure to eat it within a few days. The longer you leave it in the refrigerator, the greater chance that it will start to get soggy.
What is your favorite way to eat and prepare spinach?
- Spinach is great fresh in a salad, topped with your favorite items and vinaigrette dressing.
- Spinach is wonderful cooked into soups or pastas too.
- Spinach blended in with cream cheese, sour cream and spices, then baked, makes a wonderful dip for any gathering!
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