How to Store Broccoli: 4 Ways to Store Broccoli

To get the most flavor and nutrients out of your broccoli, keep this vegetable fresh by following these key steps:

1. 1. Make a broccoli bouquet. You can keep your broccoli fresh by placing it in a small vase or cylindrical container with cold water. Place your broccoli stems into a bowl or container with a half-inch of water at the bottom. The broccoli heads should be sticking out of the container. Cover the heads loosely with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator. Change out the water each day, and the broccoli will keep for a week in the fridge.
2. 2. Wrap with a damp paper towel. You can spritz the broccoli florets with some water from a spray bottle before storing them in the refrigerator. This mimics the mister at the food store, which helps keep produce crisp. After spritzing, wrap the broccoli bunch loosely in a paper towel.
3. 3. Place in a plastic bag. Raw broccoli needs air circulation to stay fresh, so loosely cover the broccoli bunch with a plastic bag. You can poke holes in the bag or keep it open to maintain freshness. Broccoli will keep for three to five days in the crisper drawer.
4. 4. Freeze the broccoli. You can store broccoli in the freezer for up to a year, but only after blanching. Blanch by preparing a large pot of boiling water and a large bowl of ice water. Cut broccoli heads into small pieces—you can use cut florets in side dishes and stir-fries, and stalks for homemade vegetable broth. Place the broccoli pieces in boiling water for three minutes. Pour the blanched broccoli into a colander, and once fully drained, place the vegetable in the ice bath. Stir around and let the florets soak for three minutes. Drain them, pat dry with a towel, and flash freeze them on a baking sheet. Then, store in a large freezer bag or portion servings into smaller sealed bags.

Consider these tips to maintain the freshness of your broccoli:

1. 1. Choose the best broccoli. When shopping for raw broccoli at the grocery store, choose vibrant green broccoli with a strong stalk. Avoid broccoli with a yellowing stalk or broccoli florets that are brown or limp. Touch the head and stem to make sure each is firm—this will ensure your broccoli has a crisp snap when eating.
2. 2. Refrigerate as soon as possible. Broccoli can keep on the counter for up to two days, but the vegetable will keep better in the cold. Wrap broccoli in a producer bag upon purchase and refrigerate as soon as you can.
3. 3. Wash broccoli before use. Excess moisture can cause mold growth, so you’ll only want to rinse your broccoli right before cooking time. Before refrigerating or freezing broccoli, remove it from the produce bag and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. 4. Keep broccoli by itself. Store broccoli in the refrigerator away from other fruits and vegetables that emit ethylene gas, which can cause the broccoli to rot.

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