How to dry spinach

Drying spinach is a great way to preserve these tough green leaves so you always have them on hand in your closet. Learn everything you need to know to dry spinach in this post!

Spinach is a leafy green star. They are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium, and contain a high amount of fiber and protein. We love adding spinach to foods like pasta, curries, soups, and eggs. It wilts a lot, so you can include a large amount in your meal without overburdening it. Dried spinach is also a great way to incorporate some leafy greens into your camping and backpacking meals!

While there are many things we love about spinach, one thing we did notice is how quickly it goes bad after opening. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider drying it! Not only will you be able to add it to your meals whenever you want, but it will also help reduce food waste.

So if you find a good deal of organic spinach, but don’t think you’ll eat it all before it starts spinning, just put half of it in the dryer when you get home. Spinach dries well and, if stored properly, can stay on the shelf for six months or more.

So let’s dive in and show you everything you need to know about drying spinach at home!

Preparing spinach for dehydration

Before you begin preparing spinach, make sure your counters, equipment, and hands are clean and sanitized to prevent contamination that could spoil your batch in the future.

• Wash the spinach and pat dry – a salad spinner works best, but you can also dry it gently with a kitchen towel.
• Remove damaged or wilted leaves and remove large stems
• Spinach does not need to be blanched or precooked

How to dry spinach

Drying spinach is very simple. Once your counters, equipment, and hands are clean, set up your dryer and follow these steps:

• Arrange the spinach on dryer trays. Leave some space for air to circulate; It’s okay for the sheets to overlap a little, but don’t crowd them too much.

• Air dry at 125°F (52°C) for 4 to 8 hours until spinach is dry; It should fall apart easily.

• Depending on your machine, you may need to rotate the trays from time to time to promote even drying.

How do you know when the spinach is ready?

Spinach will become completely dry and “brittle” when completely dry, and will fall apart easily. To test, remove some leaves from the dryer and let them cool. If it shows any signs of moisture remaining or flexing rather than crumbling, let it run in the dryer for longer.

How to store dried spinach

When dried and stored properly, dried spinach can last six months or more. Here are our tips for storage:

• Let the spinach cool completely before transferring .
• Store in a clean, airtight container. For a longer shelf life, vacuum seal.
• Use a moisture-wicking desiccant if you expect to open the container frequently or if you live in an area with high humidity (especially if you will be storing it in powder form).
• Label the container with the date and any other important details
• Place the container in a cool, dark, and dry place. The pantry interior works well.

how to use

To rehydrate the spinach, place it in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave it until soft (usually just a few minutes!). It won’t have the same consistency as fresh spinach (don’t plan on using it in salads), but it will be very similar to cooked or thawed frozen spinach.

Here are some ideas on how to use dried spinach:

• Add it to curries, soups, or stews.
• Powder to add to green smoothies.
• Sauteed with mushrooms and garlic for a quick side dish
• Add spinach to scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas
• Use it as a filling for shells stuffed with spinach and cheese
• Add to spinach and artichoke sauce
• Use it in these recipes: