How long does spinach last?
The bag of spinach is the classic good intention. Here's how long it really lasts, how to keep it dry, and the quickest ways to cook it down before it turns.
By Justin and Mary Katzman3–7 days in the fridge. Keep it in the fridge, not the pantry. FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing it.
Spinach, case by case
After washing
1 to 3 days in the fridge, and only if you dry it very well in a salad spinner or on towels. Damp leaves turn slimy quickly, so wash just before you use it.
After cooking
3 to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat until steaming hot. Cooked spinach goes watery, so drain it well before you store it.
Past the date on the package
Bagged spinach is often fine for a day or two past the date if it's been cold and the leaves are dry and fresh-smelling. Slimy or sour-smelling leaves go in the trash.
Signs spinach has gone bad
- The leaves are dark, wet or slimy.
- It smells sour.
- There's liquid pooling in the bag.
Before you toss it
Past its best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Limp but not slimy? Wilt it in a hot pan with garlic and olive oil. It cooks down to almost nothing, so one big handful becomes a side dish.
- Toss wilted leaves into soups, pasta sauce, eggs or lasagna filling near the end of cooking.
- Blend it into smoothies, or squeeze out the water and freeze it in small portions for later.
How to store spinach
- Use bagged spinach within 2 days of opening it.
- FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing raw spinach.
- FoodKeeper: Bagged greens: unopened product will last 3–5 days after date on bag; after opening it will last 2 days.
Spinach by the numbers
The average American goes through about 0 lb a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A lb at $4.50 keeps about 7 days in the fridge. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
How other fresh vegetables prices have moved
Prices for other fresh vegetables, the closest group BLS tracks for spinach, are up 15% since January 2020.
Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, January 2020 = 100. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
16 Haivenly starter recipes use spinach. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about spinach
How long does spinach last in the fridge?
3–7 days from purchase, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
Can you freeze spinach?
Not for salads. USDA FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing fresh spinach, because it turns limp and watery. If you'll cook with it, wilt or blanch it, squeeze it dry and freeze small portions for soups, sauces and smoothies.
Is slimy spinach safe to eat?
No. Slime means the leaves are breaking down and bacteria are growing. Throw out slimy or foul-smelling spinach. Leaves that are only a bit wilted but dry and smell fresh are fine to cook.
Do you need to wash bagged pre-washed spinach?
If the package says it's washed and ready to eat, you don't need to rewash it. Rewashing can add moisture and bring in germs from your sink or hands. Wash unwashed bunches well in cold water to remove grit.
Why does spinach turn yellow?
It's aging. Yellowing leaves are losing chlorophyll. They're not harmful if they still smell fine and aren't slimy, but they taste more bitter. Cooking them is a better use than eating them raw.
What's the best way to store a bunch of spinach?
Unwashed, in a loosely closed bag or container with a paper towel, in the crisper drawer. Wash it just before using. Washing in advance leaves moisture on the leaves, which shortens their life.
Use every last bit of your spinach.
The average American tosses about $1 of spinach a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Strawberries
Produce- Fridge
- 2–3 days
- Freezer
- 8–12 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Avocado
Produce- Fridge
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- Not advised
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- Until ripe
Cooked chicken
Leftovers- Fridge
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- Keep cold
Raw chicken breast
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Eggs
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
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- Keep cold
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold