Broccoli is a vegetable of the cabbage family and is an integral part of everyday home cooking. Used in many appetizers and entrées some dishes just don’t taste the same without broccoli.

Broccoli is a great vegetable to have in terms of the nutrition it provides, its cooking time, and its versatility. It is extremely essential to store and freeze broccoli away as it tends to go bad in a short period.

Freezing broccoli is a pretty easy task if you follow the right steps. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting time freezing something that’s only going to go bad and give out a bad smell. So, here is a simple guide to help you freeze broccoli properly and without any hassle.

Freezing Broccoli:

Freezing broccoli isn’t just putting them in the fridge or the freezer; rather, you need to follow a few steps in order.

The steps are easy to implement and won’t take much of your time.

Step 1: Separate and Wash Broccoli’s Florets 

There is a minute chance that small insects could be wedged in the florets of the broccoli. So it’s important to flush them out unless you are comfortable with having them in your stomach (Which we really hope you’re not). Separate the florets and the thicker stems of the broccoli and soak them in a brine solution for thirty minutes.

It is to be noted that to trim the broccoli into smaller pieces, you should use a vegetable peeler that won’t just ensure smaller pieces of your broccoli but they will also be neatly trimmed as well.

Step 2: Blanching

The implementation of this step is to ensure that the broccoli you are using is clean. Many small insects tend to reside in the broccoli – as we mentioned in the previous step.

Blanching is boiling up water and putting fruit or vegetable in it; in this case, it’s broccoli. Submerge the broccoli in boiling water then take it out after a brief period.

After it has been taken out, put the broccoli under cold water in order to cool it down. This step will also ensure that the quality of your broccoli such as its taste, texture, and color isn’t lost in a short period of time and rather upholds it.

Step 3: Cooling and Draining

After the broccoli has been cooled down in cold water, it’s vital to ensure that the broccoli is dry after it has been taken out.

The leftover water will freeze which would consequently form a large mass and will make it harder to separate the mass from the broccoli. To perfectly freeze broccoli, it’s important that you drain all the excess water.

You can use a salad spinner to ensure all the excess water has drained out; it tends to force out water out from its florets. You can also use a colander which is just as effective.

Once the broccoli is dry, store it in your freezer as soon as possible. You can either use a plate or a parchment paper-lined sheet tray to lay your broccoli in and store it in the freezer or you can make sizable portion sizes in an airtight plastic bag and put in your freezer.

Either way, you will be able to freeze your broccolis effectively. And BAM! You are good to go.

Step 4: Freezing Stems

Even though the stems are not majorly different from the florets, it’s better that you store it in a different bag; separate from the other pieces of broccoli.

It’s more likely that the stems are used differently than the florets. After drying the broccoli, just cut the inner soft layer into small sizes and put them in an airtight bag.

Using Frozen Broccoli

You can use your broccoli anytime you want. Once you need to use it, just take it out of your freezer and put it in your fridge overnight or put it in boiling water for a minute or two.

In both cases, it will thaw and you will be able to use it in your dishes.  Don’t worry about the taste of the broccoli; it will taste the same as it tasted before you froze it (provided that you followed our steps).

Why Freeze Broccoli?

Nowadays, it has become a necessity to freeze food in order to store it.

By using this method, you would have the advantage of using the frozen broccoli for an indefinite amount of time without worrying about the fact that it will go bad.

This method has proven to be economical as you save both time and money by storing it rather than going out to buy it time and again. Don’t worry about the nutrients; frozen food is as nutritious as fresh vegetables. So go on and freeze your broccoli without any hesitation.

Can you freeze fresh broccoli without blanching?

Can I Freeze Fresh Broccoli Without Blanching? You CAN freeze the broccoli without blanching, however, the ice crystals that develop during will change the cell structure and your will be very mushy . It is much better to blanch.

What is the best way to freeze fresh broccoli?

Lay the broccoli in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined sheet tray or plate. Place in the freezer until completely solid, 1 to 2 hours. Once frozen, transfer to a plastic container or resealable freezer bag. The broccoli should stay fresh-tasting and free of freezer burn for 6 to 8 months.

Why do you have to blanch broccoli before freezing?

Broccoli — florets and stems — must be blanched for effective freezing. If you freeze it raw, you‘ll wind up with bitter, drab green, shriveled stems. Blanching preserves the bright green color and tasty flavor. You can either blanch in boiling water for three minutes or steam for five minutes.

How do you blanch fresh broccoli?

Blanch the broccoli florets: Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes and set aside, near the stove. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Carefully place the broccoli in the boiling water and let cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli) or 2 minutes for a more tender texture.

Why do you blanch broccoli?

Giving the broccoli florets and stems a quick blanching in boiling water before freezing ensures that they will retain a good texture when you get around to cooking with them. The single-layer initial freeze prevents the broccoli pieces from clumping together, which is ideal when you only need a cup of it for a recipe.

How long should you blanch broccoli?

Blanch the broccoli florets: Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes and set aside, near the stove. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Carefully place the broccoli in the boiling water and let cook for 1 minute (for firm broccoli) or 2 minutes for a more tender texture.

Should you blanch broccoli before stir frying?

Blanching broccoli is not necessary for stir frying, especially if you cut the florets small. You can either make sure the florets are small, or blanch the broccoli first to ensure it gets cooked thoroughly during the stir fry process.

Do you have to blanch broccoli before cooking?

2) Blach the broccoli before you roast it. Blanching will cook the broccoli fully, make it tender from inside, and will also give broccoli the bright green color.

How do you store cooked broccoli?

To maximize the shelf life of cooked broccoli for safety and quality, refrigerate the broccoli in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Properly stored, cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How do you store broccoli in the refrigerator?

Consume fresh broccoli as soon as you can as it will not keep long. To store, mist the unwashed heads, wrap loosely in damp paper towels, and refrigerate. Use within 2 to 3 days. Do not store broccoli in a sealed container or plastic bag.

How long do you blanch broccoli and cauliflower?

In the case of either broccoli or cauliflower,let them boil for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables into ice water. The cold water shocks the vegetables and prevents further cooking, Once the vegetables are cooled, drain off all the water.

Can you freeze raw cauliflower and broccoli?

Freezing is the best way to preserve cauliflower. (It doesn’t dehydrate well, and it will lose nutrients and get mushy if you pressure can it.) However, you don’t want to just pop it into a zip-close bag and toss it into the freezer; you will end up with clumps of frozen cauliflower that will be soggy and flavorless.

How many minutes do you blanch vegetables?

Most vegetables take between 2-5 minutes. When the vegetables are done, quickly remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking process.

How do you blanch and freeze broccoli?

Basic method for freezing broccoli
  1. Prepare your broccoli as usual, by trimming any woody ends and dividing into equal-sized.
  2. To blanch the broccoli, bring a pan of water to the boil.
  3. Cook the broccoli in the boiling water for 2-3 mins.
  4. Pat dry, then lay the broccoli on a tray in a single layer and freeze until solid.

Does broccoli go bad if frozen?

Properly stored, frozen broccoli will maintain best quality for about 12 months in the freezer, although it will usually remain safe to eat after that. Frozen broccoli that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely, as long as it has been stored properly and the package is not damaged.

Can I freeze raw vegetables?

Except for onions and peppers, which you can freeze raw, you should blanch or fully cook vegetables before freezing. Blanching vegetables, or dunking them into boiling water, stops the enzymes that cause discoloration and turn frozen produce mushy.

Can I freeze broccoli leaves?

Quick-freeze small clumps of greens individually on a cookie sheet (or in ice cube trays). After they’re frozen, place clumps into freezer bags in bulk. Remove as much air as possible from bags before sealing.