Last minute plan changes happen. So it pays to be prepared and have a plan-B recipe at the ready that is a) incredibly low effort b) delicious c) satisfying. These green frozen spinach and eggs tick all the boxes.
I always have eggs in the house (because chickens). But even before my poultry fancier days, I always had eggs. Side note – they keep for much longer than the best before dates.
And I always have spinach in the freezer.
So it’s a wonder it took me until recently to combine the two into a brilliant little easy lunch, dinner – or breakfast for that matter.
I adore them plain like the recipe.
But feel free to add some shaved parmesan like the photo above or use one of the variations below to jazz them up if you want something more fancy.
Frozen Spinach and Eggs (3-Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 pack frozen spinach 250g / 8oz
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3-4 eggs
- pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
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Defrost the spinach. I pop in in a sieve and pour boiling water from the kettle over. Stand for a minute or so then drain, squeezing dry by pushing it into the sieve with a spoon.
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Heat a small frying pan on a medium high heat. Add butter or olive oil. Then add the drained spinach, eggs (crack them directly into the pot), pinch salt and 2 tablespoons water.
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Cook, stirring almost constantly (it's ok to take little breaks) until egg starts to set and the mixture comes together like a green thick custard.
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Dump into a bowl and enjoy straight up (or with one of the suggestions below).
Recipe Video
Variations & Substitutions Frozen Spinach and Eggs
fresh spinach leaves – substitute baby spinach leaves or shredded fresh spinach leaves or chopped spinach. Cook the fresh leaves until wilted before adding the eggs.
garlic – add 1-2 cloves crushed garlic to the butter and cook for 30 seconds before adding the spinach and eggs.
more fancy – crumbled feta, chilli oil, hot sauce, hummus, pesto, shaved parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, creamy blue cheese, walnuts, magic crunchy sprinkle, roast seeds, fresh basil, fresh chilli, curry powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, olives, sun dried tomato, anchovies.
dairy-free – olive oil or coconut oil.
spicy – add in 1/2 teaspoon curry powder or chilli powder. Or serve with lashings of freshly grated black pepper.
creamy – add in a few tablespoons of whipping cream or double cream.
more substantial (carb lovers) – cooked pasta or hot buttered toast.
more substantial (low carb) – avocado, feta, goats cheese, parmesan, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, olives, so many options.
microwave oven – this can easily be cooked in the microwave. Just stir every 30 seconds until the eggs are set.
frittata – the spinach and egg mixture can be cooked into a frittata. See my 3-ingredient egg and spinach and feta frittata recipe or this Pesto & Olive Frittata.
different vegetables – frozen kale is good too. Sometimes I soften an onion first. Also good with frozen cauliflower rice or frozen broccoli rice.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
frozen spinach – will keep in the freezer for months.
butter – will keep in the fridge for weeks.
eggs – will keep in the fridge for weeks or use for another meal.
salt – keep it in the pantry.
Problem Solving Guide Frozen Spinach and Eggs
bland – more salt! OR see the more fancy variations.
too dry – overcooked eggs! A drizzle of olive oil or some extra butter will help. Next time get them out earlier or use a lower hear.
sticking to the pan – next time a non stick pan or well seasoned pan will help. For now, allow the pan to cool so the eggs release.
Prepare Ahead
You can but I like best when freshly made. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or can be frozen. Best if not reheated so eat cold or allow to come to room temp.
Is frozen spinach already cooked?
Yes before it is frozen the spinach is cooked down. So there’s no need to cook it again before eating unless you want to warm it up.
How long do you cook frozen spinach?
Just as long as it takes to warm the spinach to your preferred temperature. Generally just a few minutes on a medium high heat.
What is the healthiest way to eat eggs?
Cooking eggs simply with a green leafy vegetable like this easy recipe is one of the healthiest ways to eat eggs. You’re getting excellent quality protein from the eggs and loads of vitamins and fiber from the spinach. It’s a match made in heaven!
Should frozen spinach be thawed before cooking?
No it’s fine to cook all frozen vegetables straight from frozen. It will just increase the cooking time. In the case of non-leafy frozen vegetables like frozen green beans, frozen broccoli or frozen cauliflower cooking straight from frozen actually improves the texture.
How to cook frozen spinach with eggs
This recipe of scrambling frozen spinach and eggs together in a skillet has to be the quickest and easiest method. My other favourite way is to defrost the spinach and stir into the eggs with some feta or olives and bake it into a frittata like this Easy Spinach & Feta Frittata. I also love to bake eggs on a bed of frozen spinach like this Lemony Miso Baked Eggs
More Recipes using Frozen Spinach and Eggs
- One Pot Mushroom Sausage & Spinach
- Spinach Feta Burgers
- Flavour Explosion Scrambled Eggs (bacon scrambled eggs)
- Pesto, Olive & Feta Frittata
- The Good Greens
- Spinach Okonomiyaki
- Easy Spinach & Feta Frittata
- Lemony Miso Baked Eggs
Have fun in the kitchen
With love,
Jules x