Learn how to make Frozen Spinach Cubes that are perfect for green smoothies with this quick and easy recipe. They’re so simple, and they’re the perfect way to use up leftover greens!
A few weeks ago, I shared a quick vid on my Instagram story about blending up a bunch of leftover spinach into ice cubes for a week ahead of green smoothies. And all of a sudden –✨ poof ✨ — my phone blew up with questions.
“Whoa, how do you make those?”
“What else goes in there besides spinach?”
“How many do you add to a smoothie?”
“How long do they last?”
I tried to respond to as many of you as a could. But for anyone I may have accidentally missed — and anyone else out there today who might also be interested in some creepy-green-yet-life-changing frozen spinach cubes — I thought I’d pop in today and share how I make these little guys. They only take a few minutes to make, they’re the perfect use for leftover greens, and if you happy to love green smoothies as much as I do, they’re a total lifesaver.
Oh, and the best thing about them? No recipe required. ?
Just toss a bunch of leftover fresh baby spinach (or whatever greens you love to add to your smoothies, like kale or Romaine or arugula or chard) in the blender. Then add in a generous splash of liquid (I prefer coconut water, with all of those natural electrolytes, but water would also do). And purée the mixture until it’s nice and smooth, adding in extra liquid as needed if it’s too thick.
Then pour the mixture into some ice cube trays. Freeze until solid…
…then voila! A delicious batch of spinach ice cubes will be ready to add to your smoothies!! I recommend storing them in a nice thick freezer bag. Then you can just grab a few whenever you’d like to use them!
As far as portions go, I recommend starting with 1 or 2 per smoothie, then give it a taste and add more if you’d like. ? The amount of spinach in each cube will probably differ from batch to batch, depending on how thick your spinach mixture is. But after a smoothie or two, you’ll figure out what amount tastes good.
So whether you happen to have a surplus of spinach in the fridge (common in my house, since I often buy it at Costco)…or if you have a batch of spinach on its last leg that you need to use quickly…or if you’re just looking for an easy hack to make more green smoothies…this recipe may just be a game-changer. :)
Happy freezing!
How To Make Frozen Spinach Cubes (for Green Smoothies!)
Ingredients
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach*
- 2/3 cup coconut water (or water)
Instructions
- Add spinach and coconut water to a blender, and puree until smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, add in extra coconut water.
- Pour the spinach mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.
- Use immediately, or transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Love this! I’ve been doing this for a while. I add a whole bunch of broccoli and carrots as well and for the liquid I use the whey from making yogurt. We use these cubes in our daily fruit smoothie and you cannot taste the veggies at all!!
Thank you, Jen, we’re so glad you enjoyed them! :)
Im excited to try this, but have a question. Normally my hubby and I use fresh spinach/kale/chard mix, with yogurt, frozen fruit (like, 1/2 a banana and a 1/2C of cut berries or pineapple, etc), and water (or coconut water) in the blender. If im freezing the spinach/water mix, ill have to add even more water to blend it with the yogurt and frozen fruit, right? I mean, do you just put all the frozen things in the blender without more liquid? Thanks so much!
what a great idea! I never saw the original post that features these cubes, so happy to see this here!
Thanks, Sabrina, we hope you enjoy them!
What’s the difference if I use coconut water with water. Does it feel strange?
Regular water would be fine. Coconut water is full of electrolytes and potassium, and has an authentic coconut flavor (it’s subtle when used in these smoothie cubes though).
This is an awesome idea!
I’m so excited to give this a shot! I was one of those people who blew up your phone :)
This is a wonderful idea! Thanks!
I don’t have a blender. Could I use a food processor to blend my greens instead, then put in the ice trays? Thanks!!!
Hi Linda, we think that should work fine! :)
I love this tip!!
Even though neither my husband or I has been able to develop an appreciation for greens smoothies, I’m sure that some day I’ll have use for this technique. Thanks for posting it. And if you have a way of making green smoothies taste good to us, I’m all ears. We actually get plenty of veggies at lunch and dinner, so I don’t feel too bad about not doing green smoothies.
You’re welcome, Susan, we hope you guys can try it sometime soon! :)
When I buy spinach on sale, after washed and dried, I toss one or two freezer bags full in the freezer, just as is. I got the idea from another blogger, and was amazed that the leaves actually stay separated, into frozen little leaf discs! Then I take out a handful or two, to use for smoothies, or toss in pasta dishes, etc.
Really? The leaves stay separate? I will have to try this method as well!!
Yes, that’s great to do as well! :)