3–7 days in the fridge (fresh)
Cooked: 3–4 days · Frozen: 10–12 months
Spinach is one of the quickest fresh foods to go from crisp and vibrant to slimy and unusable. It also happens to be one of the most commonly wasted items in the fridge. The key is knowing how to store it and acting quickly when it starts to turn.
Spinach Shelf Life
| Type | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Loose fresh spinach (unwashed) | 3–5 days | 10–12 months (blanched) |
| Bagged spinach (unopened) | 5–7 days | 10–12 months (blanched) |
| Bagged spinach (opened) | 3–5 days | 10–12 months (blanched) |
| Washed, dried spinach | 2–3 days | 10–12 months (blanched) |
| Cooked spinach | 3–4 days | 10–12 months |
| Baby spinach (bagged) | 3–5 days after opening | 10–12 months (blanched) |
💡 Keep spinach dry. Moisture is the enemy. Don't wash spinach until you're ready to use it. If loose spinach came damp from the shop, lay it on paper towels for 30 minutes before storing, then wrap in dry paper towels inside a loose bag. This can double its shelf life.
How to Keep Spinach Fresh Longer
- Don't wash until ready to use — moisture speeds up decomposition dramatically.
- Paper towel method: line a container or bag with paper towels, add spinach, add another paper towel on top. The paper absorbs excess moisture. Replace when saturated.
- Store in the crisper drawer — maintains higher humidity than the main fridge shelf.
- Keep away from apples, bananas, and pears — these emit ethylene gas which accelerates ripening and spoilage in leafy greens.
- Check daily — remove any wilting or yellowing leaves before they affect the rest of the bag.
How to Freeze Spinach
Spinach freezes brilliantly and frozen spinach retains most of its nutrients. You don't need to blanch it if using within a couple of months, but blanching significantly extends freezer life:
- Blanching method: Boil for 2 minutes, immediately transfer to ice water for 2 minutes, drain and squeeze out all water. Freeze in portions on a tray, then transfer to bags.
- Raw freezing: Wash, dry thoroughly, freeze in a single layer on a tray, then bag. Best for adding to smoothies or soups directly from frozen.
- Frozen spinach lasts 10–12 months.
💡 Spinach nearing its end? Wilt it into eggs, pasta, curry, or soup. Slightly wilted spinach that's lost its crispness for salads is still perfect for cooking. Don't bin it — cook it within the next 24 hours.
Signs Spinach Has Gone Bad
- Slimy, wet leaves — the clearest sign. Slimy spinach has bacterial growth and should be discarded.
- Strong, sour or sulphur smell — fresh spinach has a mild green smell. Any unpleasant odour means it's gone.
- Yellowing leaves — indicates loss of chlorophyll. Still technically edible if not slimy or smelly, but nutritional value is much reduced. Cook immediately.
- Dark, soggy spots — these spread quickly. Remove affected leaves and use the rest that day.
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