Spotting spoiled spinach early
Knowing when to discard spinach prevents unpleasant texture and potential foodborne illness. Focus on appearance, smell, and texture.
Signs of spoilage:
- Sliminess or a slimy coating on leaves indicates bacterial breakdown.
- Strong, off, or sour odors instead of the mild green scent.
- Darkening, extensive yellowing, or wilting beyond normal freshness.
- Excessive moisture and liquid pooling in packaging, which accelerates spoilage.
When in doubt:
- If only a few leaves are damaged, remove them and use the rest promptly after inspecting and washing.
- If most leaves show spoilage signs, discard the whole batch.
- Frozen spinach past its freezer-burn tolerance will show dry, glassy spots and off flavors—best tossed if severely freezer-burned.
Err on the side of caution; fresh spinach is inexpensive compared with the risk of eating spoiled greens.