If you are needing chopped spinach in a dish you are baking or a soup or stew you are cooking, consider using a frozen box of chopped spinach. You will save a lot of money.
1 1/2 pounds of fresh spinach equals a 10 oz box of frozen spinach.
Fresh spinach 6 oz bag $3.79* would need 1 1/2 pounds or 4 bags to equal a 10 oz box costing you $15.16.
10 oz box frozen chopped spinach costs $0.77*.
That can save you $14.39 and sometimes you can get a nice bottle of wine to go with your dinner for that price.
Now if you are making something you don’t cook very much or obviously a salad, then use the fresh product. You can often get organic frozen chopped spinach for just a little more but still saving a lot from the fresh spinach you will be cooking down. Whenever possible I buy organic.
When using the frozen you need to thaw it and then drain it. When I say drain I mean squeeze it either in your dish cloth or press it into a mesh sieve. It will have a lot of liquid you want to get rid of.
I prefer to use the frozen when I’m making my Pizza Soup. Depending on how big the pot is will determine if I use the whole box or half the box. If I was the only one eating it I would use the whole box. It’s often mistaken for basil in the soup. Shhhhh
Fresh spinach is best in the winter and spring so if I find it at the farmer’s market for a good price, buy it and make your own frozen spinach. Nothing beats a fresh spinach salad. But if you’re fully cooking it and it’s not the star of the show, save some money and use the frozen.
*prices taken from Harris Teeter Grocery Store. Prices will vary.
Another great tip, Diane! I use frozen spinach for my spinach artichoke dip and some baked casserole type dishes. It works great, and sometimes you can get some really good sales, too.
Now that pizza soup sounds good … off to check that out …
Shirley
Shirley- I'm guessing you'll love Pizza Soup. It's really easy and most people love it. I think frozen spinach can be great for that dip. Thanks for the tip!
Wow, that is amazing! I had no idea the cost savings, great tip! 🙂
Ali- I knew it was less expensive, but I didn't realize how much until I did the math. Either way you can get spinach into your meals is great.
Great tip. I tend not to buy a lot of spinach (i'm the only one that likes it at home) so I only buy fresh, but sometimes, you're right – frozen works fine, and it's a lot cheaper!
Alta- If you sneak it into things that have parsley or another leafy herb like basil, you can hide it and no one notices until they're done eating. Then you can say, see you like it. Good luck.
I love spinach, and always buy fresh. It is outrageously expensive in most grocery stores, but you can get a huge bulk container at Costco of organic spinach for the same price as a small bag. Asian markets often also have great prices on greens. 🙂
But you are right, sometimes frozen will work just as well…
-Sea
seamaiden- Wow, great tip on Costco. I've not been there in a long time. We usually go for the good priced wine. I'll have to check out their produce too. Do you have good luck with the Asian markets? We have a few around here and I took a tour once. They had so many great looking vegetables and many I didn't know what they were. I was wondering if they had good practices to keep the gluten away from the produce. I'll have to give them a try. Thanks for the great tips!
FUNNY YOU SHOULD BRING UP CHOPPED SPINACH
AS WE JUST HAD IT (FROZEN) TONIGHT.
A WONDERFUL FRESH GREEN DISH TO TRY IS BEET
TOPS. IF YOU SEE ON OCCASION A REALLY
BEAUTIFUL BUNCH OF LEAVES ON THE BEETS,
DON'T THROW THEM AWAY. THEY ARE WONDERFUL
SAUTEED IN A LITTLE OLIVE OIL AND I ADD GARLIC
AND A LITTLE BALSAMIC VINEGAR.
Mom- I've never tried this but I've heard it's really good. I love balsamic vinegar. It really brings out the flavor in so many foods. I'll give this a try but don't tell Scott what it is.