Spinach Facts

Spinach facts

Learn fun spinach facts and general information about spinach. This page includes how spinach grows, how to choose and store it, nutrition facts, and easy spinach recipe ideas.

Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials

Teaching kids to cook? Save time with ready-made lesson plans used by parents and teachers. Browse teaching materials →

This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

On This Page

Fun Spinach Facts

  • Spinach grows like lettuce.
  • Spinach can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • It cooks very quickly.
  • Spinach freezes well and can be added to soups and other dishes.
  • Spinach is used in salads, side dishes, dips, quiche, and more.

How Spinach Grows, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Spinach Is Available

Peak season is in spring, but bagged spinach is available year round.

How Does Spinach Grow?

Spinach grows like lettuce.

What to Look for When Buying Spinach

Most spinach is prepackaged. Otherwise, look for crisp leaves just like you would with lettuce.

Storage Tips

Store spinach in the refrigerator crisper section. Fresh spinach also freezes well and crumbles easily once frozen for adding to soups or other dishes.

Kid Tip: Wash fresh spinach well before using, especially if it is not prewashed.

How to Cook with Spinach

How to Use Spinach

  1. Wash spinach and trim the ends if needed.
  2. For cooked spinach, add the leaves to a hot pan and stir gently.
  3. When the leaves are wilted and bright green, remove from the skillet.
  4. You can also use spinach fresh in salads or thaw frozen spinach and squeeze out excess water before adding it to a recipe.
Cooking Tip: Spinach cooks quickly, so do not overcook it.

Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach

Fresh spinach is great for salads, sautéing, and quick side dishes.

Frozen spinach works well in recipes like dips, quiche, casseroles, and spinach balls after squeezing out extra water.

Both are useful, but they are often used in different types of recipes.

Food Science: Why Spinach Shrinks When Cooked

Why Does Spinach Get So Small When You Cook It?

Spinach leaves contain a lot of water. When heated, the leaves soften and the water cooks out.

That is why a large bowl of fresh spinach turns into a much smaller amount once it is cooked.

Mini Activity

Spinach Shrink Test

  1. Put a handful of fresh spinach in a bowl.
  2. Notice how much space it takes up.
  3. Cook the spinach gently with adult help.
  4. Look at how much smaller it becomes.
  5. Talk about why foods can change size when heated.

This activity helps kids observe how heat changes foods during cooking.

Spinach Nutrition Facts

Spinach helps support healthy bones, eyes, and teeth. It is high in iron, vitamin K, and vitamin C.

  • Spinach contains iron.
  • It is high in vitamin K.
  • It also provides vitamin C.
  • Spinach supports healthy bones, eyes, and teeth.

More Food Fact Resources




Spinach Recipes

Fresh Spinach Salad

A fresh spinach salad with fruit and a creamy homemade dressing.

  • Category: Salad
  • Prep: 15 minutes
  • Cook: No cooking
  • Yield: Varies
Fresh spinach salad with strawberries
buy recipe cards

Ingredients

  • Fresh spinach
  • Fruit of choice such as sliced strawberries, sliced kiwi, or grapefruit sections

Dressing

  • 1 cup oil
  • 4 tablespoons sour cream
  • 5 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons parsley

Directions

  1. Place fresh spinach and fruit in a serving bowl.
  2. Blend oil and sour cream.
  3. Mix in vinegar and the rest of the dressing ingredients.
  4. Shake well before using and pour over the salad.
Serving Tip: Fruit adds sweetness and color to fresh spinach salads.

Creamed Spinach

A warm spinach side dish made with olive oil, baby spinach, heavy cream, cream cheese, and garlic powder.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Cook: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Varies
Creamed spinach
buy recipe cards

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cut in cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Gradually add spinach and sauté briefly until it wilts.
  3. Add heavy cream, cream cheese, and garlic powder.
  4. Season with salt and black pepper and stir until the cream cheese melts completely.
  5. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Serving Idea: Creamed spinach pairs well with many main dishes.

More Spinach Ideas

Spanakopitas

Spanakopitas

Try spinach in a Greek spinach and feta pie.

Spinach smoothies

Add Spinach to Smoothies

Blend spinach into smoothies for an easy nutrition boost.

Spinach artichoke dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Use spinach in a warm dip recipe idea.

Spinach quiche

Spinach Quiche

Try spinach in a baked egg dish.

Spinach Cooking Video

Spinach Facts FAQ

When is spinach available?

Spinach peaks in spring, but bagged spinach is available year round.

How does spinach grow?

Spinach grows like lettuce.

What should you look for when buying spinach?

Most spinach is prepackaged. Otherwise, look for crisp leaves like you would with lettuce.

How should spinach be stored?

Store spinach in the refrigerator crisper section. Fresh spinach can also be frozen for later use.

What nutrients are in spinach?

Spinach is high in iron, vitamin K, and vitamin C and helps support healthy bones, eyes, and teeth.

How can spinach be used in cooking?

Spinach can be used in salads, cooked side dishes, dips, smoothies, quiche, and more.

Continue Learning About Spinach

Food Facts hub

Food Facts Hub

Explore more ingredient pages and food learning ideas.

Kids cooking lessons

Kids Cooking Lessons

Build more kitchen skills with hands-on lessons and activities.

Strawberry spinach salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Use berries in a fresh salad with greens and fruit.

Share your food facts and recipes

Do you have a food facts or recipe to share?

Reader's Submitted Recipes

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Healthy Green smoothie Not rated yet
1- Blend 2 cups of spinach, 1 cup kale, and 1/2 cup milk into a blender 2- Blend 3- Add in 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 carrot, and …

Cooking spinach Not rated yet
Begin learning how to cook spinach by rinsing fresh spinach in cold water to remove any dirt clinging to the leaves. To saute spinach, pour about 1/2 teaspoon …

Spinach Casserole- Spaetzle Not rated yet
Ingredients: 1 large package frozen chopped spinach - cook with onion and drained well 1 Tablespoon minced onion - add to spinach 2 eggs- beaten …

Click here to write your own.


Explore More Food Facts

Fruit Facts:
Apple Apricot Avocado Banana Berry Cherry Coconut Cranberry Dates Figs Grapefruit Grapes Kiwi Lemon & Lime Mango Melon Orange Papaya Peach Pear Pineapple Plum Tomato

Vegetable Facts:
Artichoke Asparagus Beet Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Celery Corn Cucumber Eggplant Garlic Green Beans Kale Lettuce & Salad Greens Mushrooms Okra Onion Parsnip Peas Peppers Potato Radish Rhubarb Spinach Summer Squash & Zucchini Sweet Potato Turnip Winter Squash & Pumpkin

Food Group Facts:
Beans Eggs Nuts Seeds Meat Dairy Grains



Back to Food Facts

Back to Home

Get Free Kids Recipe Cards + Cooking Printables

Join Kids Cooking Activities for fun recipes, cooking ideas, and printable resources for kids, families, and classrooms.

Join the Free Printables Club

Follow Kids Cooking Activities too:

Kids Cooking Activities on Facebook Kids Cooking Activities on Instagram Kids Cooking Activities on Twitter Kids Cooking Activities on Pinterest Kids Cooking Activities on YouTube