Tips And Recommendations For Freezing Broccoli

Today we want to tell you about one of the cruciferous family, which is broccoli. We are going to answer a frequently asked question, namely: can broccoli be frozen?

Brassicaceae, also known as the cruciferous family, is one of the healthiest types of vegetables in the world. This is because this strain has a high content of fiber, antioxidants and flavonoids that are essential for human health.

Broccoli is as loved as it is hated. That is, some people like it and others don’t like it. It contains essential nutrients for humans, but the strong taste is not for everyone.

The ease of preservation is one of its advantages. And, of course, there’s the fact that it’s available in most grocery stores most of the year.

How long does fresh broccoli last?

You may not know it yet, but regular broccoli intake is often associated with a lower risk of developing inflammation in the lungs. At least according to a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The good news is you can buy it fresh and keep it in the fridge for a while.

You can even refrigerate it for 14 days if you store it raw. Shelf life is reduced to 9 days when cooked. The storage should in any case be good, covered if possible.

How to properly store broccoli

To maximize the shelf life of this vegetable, it is important to exercise caution while refrigerating. Usually, most markets package cruciferous vegetables in plastic or foil. We recommend that you only remove it when you are going to use it, otherwise you will shorten the shelf life.

Similarly, store the excess broccoli in a container and cover it to limit contact with the air if the package has already been opened. Then put it back in the fridge so that the flavonoids don’t oxidize.

This is because these nutrients are effective in the prevention of various complex pathologies. They have even been associated with reducing cellular damage due to aging and thus slowing down oncological development processes.

Can cooked broccoli be frozen?

As we mentioned above, you can definitely store cooked broccoli. To do this, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It should last for about 9 days, although its organoleptic characteristics diminish with time.

For this reason, we recommend consuming broccoli within 2 or 3 days of cooking. Especially since broccoli only retains its flavor during this period.

How to freeze broccoli?

Follow the procedure described below to blanch the broccoli well and keep it longer:

• First, remove the leaves around it.
• Then fill a pan with water and add salt.
• Then proceed to cut the vegetables into the portions you see fit.
• Then boil it for 3 minutes after the water has reached the boiling point.
• Don’t let it cook for too long or it will lose its nutrients and vitamins.
• Then place the broccoli in a bowl of cold water to lower the temperature.
• Finally, store it in the freezer, either in airtight containers or in freezer bags.

You don’t have to thaw the vegetable and you can put it directly in a pot of water or a frying pan to finish it off. Did you also know that broccoli can be kept in the freezer for 9 months to 1 year? The properties will disappear after that and it will lose its taste.

Conclusion

Cruciferous have many nutritional properties that are good for human health. Broccoli stands out from the crowd and that’s why we recommend introducing it into your regular diet (Spanish link). There are many different ways to prepare it!

As we mentioned above, you can even freeze it when it’s already cooked. Once you’ve done that, you can add it directly to your dishes without having to thaw it.

Finally, keep in mind that you can buy fresh broccoli all year round at most grocery stores and keep it in the freezer for up to 12 months. As you can see, there is no excuse not to eat it regularly as part of a balanced diet.