The Right Way to Store Broccoli So It Stays Fresh Longer

Broccoli is a popular vegetable, and chances are you often have it in your refrigerator. Maybe you steam it for a side dish or chop it up for stir-fries? If you've had the unfortunate experience of smelling spoiled broccoli, you know that the odor is terrible. It's all thanks to sulforaphane, a compound that also happens to be a powerful antioxidant.

Learning how to store broccoli at home will help you prevent this, and luckily, it's easy to do. Read on for the best ways to store broccoli so it stays fresh for longer, plus whether you can freeze it if you have too much.

What to Look For When Buying Broccoli

To get the longest shelf-life from your broccoli, buy it whole, says Traci Weintraub, chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, a Los Angeles-based meal delivery service. That's because cutting broccoli, as with most produce, exposes the vegetable to air and jumpstarts the deterioration process.

While you're at it, choose a broccoli head that’s bright green, firm, and free of yellow discoloration, per the experts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "The cut stem end should be smooth with no cracks and pockmarks," says Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health.

Typical Shelf Life and Signs Broccoli Has Gone Bad

When stored properly, whole broccoli can last for about one week in the refrigerator, according to Lyon. Use broccoli florets within three to five days or sooner, if possible.

When the broccoli starts to develop a yellow color, take it as a sign that it has started to spoil. "You want your broccoli to be [evenly] bright green across the head and stem," says Weintraub. Similarly, toss the broccoli if it develops sliminess or the stalks become soft or limp.

How to Store Whole Broccoli Heads

At home, place whole broccoli heads in a microperforated plastic bag and put them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, says Lyon. You can also store the heads in a container with a bit of water at the bottom, with the heads sticking out, and loosely wrap the container in plastic wrap, notes Weintraub. It's also important to hold off on washing the broccoli, as excess water can promote decay, says Lyon.

How to Store Broccoli Florets

If you have extra broccoli that's already been cut, store the florets in a container loosely wrapped with plastic wrap, says Weintraub. The airflow will ensure the broccoli florets stay fresh, so avoid putting them in a sealed container. Another option is to store them in a microperforated plastic bag, says Lyon.

In either case, put the florets in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, and "enjoy as soon as possible to gain the maximum nutrition benefits from the florets, as they wane over time," says Lyon.

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Can You Freeze Broccoli?

If you find yourself with too much broccoli, you'll be glad to know that it's freezer-friendly. To freeze the vegetable, follow this method, which includes tips from Lyon:

1. Cut the head into florets, leaving about 2 inches of stem on each floret.
2. Steam the florets in a single layer for 4 minutes.
3. Shock the florets in an ice water bath to stop them from cooking, then drain.
4. Arrange the florets on a kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
5. Place the florets on a sheet pan in a single layer. Freeze until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.
6. Transfer the broccoli florets into a plastic or silicone freezer-safe bag. Return to the freezer.

The frozen broccoli florets will last up to three months in the freezer, says Lyon. When you're ready to use them in a recipe, they can be steamed, microwaved, sauteed, and roasted directly from frozen, he says.

Reviving Wilted Broccoli

If you find that your broccoli has started to go limp—but hasn't spoiled—you may still be able to bring it back. Soak the stalks in cold water for 15 minutes to help restore some crispness. While it won't return them to peak condition, the soak can rehydrate the broccoli enough to make it usable. Pat it dry, then use it right away in stir-fries, soups, or casseroles.