Can you freeze broccoli?
Can you freeze broccoli? Yes, you can freeze broccoli for about 12-18 months. Before freezing them, it is essential to blanch them to preserve their flavor, color, texture and nutrients.
Many soft-fleshed vegetables don’t always freeze very well. Broccoli is no exception to the rule. Unfortunately, if you are not careful when freezing, the bouquets can become soft and their texture ends up being unpleasant.
However, if you follow the method described below, you will have every chance of preserving the flavor, color and texture of your broccoli. They won’t be as tasty as fresh broccoli, but they’ll still be quite palatable.
How to freeze broccoli?
- Start by soaking your broccoli in cold salted water for about 30 minutes. This will eliminate any insects that may be present. Shake it around to remove the dirt and then rinse it thoroughly with cold water.
- Then remove the stem and cut the rest of the broccoli into florets. A lot of people throw away the stem, but it’s actually delicious. If you want to freeze it, peel the fibrous outer layer, then cut it into pieces.
- Boil water in a large saucepan and fill a basin with cold water. Keep the basin close to the stove because you will need to have it close at hand. Once the water is boiling, put the broccoli florets in a metal colander and plunge them into boiling water. Leave the florets in boiling water for 60 seconds, then remove the colander and immediately plunge the broccoli florets into the basin filled with cold water.
- Drain and let the bouquets dry. You can pat them with paper towel to save time.
- Once the broccoli florets are dry, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they don’t touch each other. The idea is to pre-freeze each bouquet individually so that they don’t stick together afterwards. This will make it easier to defrost small portions. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours.
- Once the broccoli florets are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer then transfer the florets to a reseal able freezer bag. You can use multiple freezer bags if you want to freeze individual portions.
- Seal the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents, then return the broccoli florets to the freezer.
What is the shelf life of broccoli in the freezer?
Broccoli will keep for about 12 to 18 months in the freezer.
However, the longer you leave them in the freezer, the more likely their flavor will degrade and their texture will become soft when thawed.
How to defrost broccoli?
Depending on the recipe you are making, you may not even need to thaw your broccoli. If you are preparing a soup, stew or stew, for example, you can add the frozen bouquets as they are and let them thaw over low heat.
One of the best things to do, however, is bake them. Toss frozen bouquets with oil, salt and pepper, then place in a hot oven until thawed and cooked through.
If you want to thaw your broccoli completely before using it, let it thaw gently in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
Can you refreeze broccoli?
We strongly advise against refreezing broccoli. Your broccoli would become bland and extremely soft, even mushy.
Can you freeze broccoli leaves?
Yes, you can freeze broccoli leaves, but they won’t taste nearly as good as fresh leaves. If you can avoid freezing them, that’s best.
The best approach to freezing them is to quickly freeze them on a baking sheet for about an hour before transferring them to a freezer bag.
