Store Spinach In Your Salad Spinner To Make It Last

Bagged greens are a great convenience and an excellent way to make a quick salad or have ready-to-use produce at your fingertips. But if you've ever reached into a bag of spinach only to find a slimy green mess, you already know that spinach seems to go bad faster than any other green. But there's a simple trick that will make it last longer.

While most bagged spinach sold in the U.S. comes triple-washed, it's always a good idea to give it a rinse before putting it in the fridge, just to clear away any potential dirt or other debris that might be lingering on the leaves. However, too much moisture is the enemy of fresh spinach and a prime cause of its deterioration. A salad spinner is a great way to remove that excess moisture. But have you ever considered storing the spinach inside the spinner after it's been dried?

The best way to do this is by lining the salad spinner with paper towels before putting a layer of the dried spinach inside, then another layer of towels, then another of spinach, and so on until all of the greens are stored. Then, place the whole assembly in the refrigerator. The towels inside the more-ventilated spinner will wick away any leftover water and help to keep the spinach inside dry. If you see the paper towels getting wet after a couple of days, simply replace them with dry towels.

It's important to know what warning signs to look for when buying fresh spinach. If you see slimy or yellowed pieces inside the bag, put it back. While it's generally considered safe to consume spinach that's had contact with rotten pieces, you will surely spend a lot of time picking through the lot to discard the rejects.

This spoilage happens in part because spinach has a high water content and releases water over time. That's also why a bag of spinach appears to shrink to nothing when it's cooked. Keeping on top of excess moisture will allow you enough time to eat it before you have a slimy mess on your hands and your spinach is relegated to the compost bin. 

When shopping for a salad spinner, look for one with a large capacity. Overcrowding a spinner will prevent the leaves from separating and drying properly. Then, the next time you spin your spinach, store it right in the spinner. You'll save a step, and your greens will last a lot longer.