How Long Does Broccoli Last In The Fridge?
Broccoli , as with most fresh vegetables, is sold without a specific expiration date. Since the average head of broccoli is too large for one lunch or dinner, you would usually have to leave some of it in the fridge. This is why you need to think about whether broccoli will go bad and also ask yourself the important question–how long does broccoli last in the fridge? Let’s check it out.
Does Broccoli Go Bad?
Broccoli is a cruciferous plant, which includes cabbage, kale and cauliflower. It is abundant in vitamins K, minerals as well as antioxidants. It also provides numerous health benefits including prevention of cancer. However, as with other fresh vegetables, it is susceptible to get rotten.
In general, it is possible to eat the broccoli that has been steamed but it won’t taste as good and it’ll lose its nutritional value as time passes. This is why it’s important to purchase the freshest items you can. If you can properly store it you will be able to significantly extend the shelf-life of your product.
How Long Does Broccoli Last?
When you purchase fresh broccoli, it is possible to keep it in your kitchen pantry or cabinet in case you are planning to utilize it within the next few days. But, it’s likely to change color after two or three days.
If you plan to make use of raw broccoli in smoothies, salads or dips, it’s more sensible to purchase the vegetable the day before and store it out in your pantry for a while. If not, it’s more sensible to keep it in the refrigerator to avoid its degradation.
A full head of broccoli can remain in the fridge for seven to 10 days subject to its condition prior to buying. Cutting off the florets reduces the timeframe to 3 to 5 days.
If you opt to cook broccoli, but not use it immediately then you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Do not keep it at room temperature for longer than one hour or so because pathogenic bacteria could grow in it.
How To Tell If Broccoli Has Gone Bad?
If you store broccoli too long, it can diminish its nutritional value and properties. In addition, it may be harmful to your health once it begins to degrade. There are five indicators to tell if it’s time to get rid of it out:
Colour – Broccoli fresh is dark green colors that turns yellow with time. You can slice some florets that are yellowish at starting, and you should discard the entire head when it’s completely yellow. It might not cause nausea however it’s not going to taste tasty also.
Smell– Broccoli is a rich source of sulfur. If it begins to decay it will give off the strong, unpleasant scent of rotten eggs , even if it’s in a sealed container that is in the refrigerator. This is a clear indication that it’s not safe for consumption.
Texture – It’s normal for broccoli to turn flabby after a time. However, you can bring it back by soaking its water content. However, this is not the best solution over the long run. If you notice the florets becoming limp or pale and you are able to discard them because the vegetables have already begun to turn brown.
The possibility of developing mold is high. If you store your broccoli too long cooked and raw broccoli may grow mold. The appearance of black spots and brown spots on the broccoli indicate that the veggies are damaged. Toss them out instead of to put yourself at risk by only removing mold.
Stem -The longer the broccoli is in good condition and its stalk is sturdy and green, it is good for consumption. If the color changes and turns soft and gooey, then it is the time to buy fresh veggies instead of the damaged ones.
How To Keep Broccoli For Longer Period
As I’ve already said fresh broccoli isn’t able to last very long. If you don’t want to use the broccoli within one week from purchasing, you can put it in a freezer or dispose of it. There are many techniques and tips can help preserve vegetable freshness and quality for longer than normal.
Storing broccoli in the pantry
If you store your broccoli on a shelf, make sure not expose it to excessive humidity since it will get spoiled very quickly. So, don’t wash it at the time you purchase it, however, rinse it under the cold water just prior to cooking.
After a few days in the fridge, broccoli may become stale. In this case, cut the stalk and place it in a container with water. In this way, the vegetables will rehydrate and you can store it for later.
Keep in mind that yellow broccoli is not spoilt, but it does have a bitter taste. If just the tips of the florets’ florets have begun to change color then cut that portion off and make use of the rest before the entire head changes the color.
Keep broccoli out of the reach of fruits including apple, pears and bananas. Because these fruits contain ethylene, they will accelerate the spoilage process.
Storing broccoli in the fridge
If you purchase broccoli in the plastic bag and then put it in the refrigerator, you’ll notice droplets of water that form because of condensation. You must allow airflow through the vegetables to keep it from turning bad.
The trick of the past is to make use of a knife and make holes in the bag close to the flowers. This way, you can extend the time for two or three days.
Furthermore you can wrap the vegetable in a damp towel and then place it inside a vegetable section. A bouquet of broccoli can remain in the fridge for a while if you place it in a jar with stalks that are submerged.
Place the broccoli that has been cooked in an airtight bowl prior to placing it in the refrigerator. Another option involves covering the bowl in foil made of aluminum or self-adhesive.
Keeping broccoli in the freezer
Utilize a cookie sheet to keep the broccoli florets from colliding. Then, freeze the florets in a pre-arranged arrangement for some time, then pull them out and transfer them into zip locks airtight containers or plastic bags, before putting them back in the freezer.
If you plan to freeze broccoli for baby food preparation it is essential to use small portions. Utilize the ice cube tray baby food trays or molds made of cookie dough to store just a small amount of broccoli in each cube.
In addition to cooking broccoli to make the puree, mix it with formula or breast milk to the desired density. Then, put it in small containers. You could also make use of plain water if you prefer that method.
Don’t thaw the broccoli puree in the microwave to avoid loss of its flavor. Instead, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
The risk of consuming an expired broccoli
Although broccoli doesn’t have any expiration dates, you could be sick if you consume it when it’s gone bad. Broccoli that is soiled has a bitter flavor, so you’ll never be tempted to take more than one bite.
Consuming large amounts of broccoli can cause food poisoning, accompanied by symptoms such as minor abdominal cramps nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare instances, broccoli may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria which could cause serious illnesses.
Unspoiled broccoli could also carry certain dangers. The high amount of fiber could cause irritation in the bowel and the thiocyanate that it has can cause problems with the thyroid. This means that you could be suffering with hypothyroidism or weight increase.
In addition, broccoli contains excellent vitamin K content. If you are taking any blood thinner medication, it is recommended to reduce the amount and limit eating it regularly.
Can You Freeze Broccoli?
Broccoli is a crucial component of a variety of frozen vegetable mixes. This is why you can keep it frozen and it is a fantastic option to store leftovers for up to one year. It is possible to freeze raw as well as cooked broccoli.
Remember that raw broccoli may turn slimy and have a change in the taste and smell once you’ve thawed it. So, it’s best to cook it for in a couple of minutes prior to freezing.
Blanched broccoli
Cut the stalks and florets and place into a pan of simmering water for a couple of minutes. Transfer them to a separate vessel filled with cold water. You can speed up cooling by adding frozen cubes of ice in the water.
When it is cool then spread the broccoli on a towel to dry thoroughly and use an airtight container, or a zipper lock bag store it. Make sure to get rid of any air that is left and note down the date prior to putting the container inside the freezer.
Cooked broccoli
Cook broccoli in as you would prepare every other dish. Divide the food by smaller parts, then place them in containers and place them in the freezer.
If you choose to use it, you can take an open container from the night before, and put it in the fridge. It is also possible to make use of a microwave for thawing broccoli.
There is no requirement to defrost it in the event that you make soup or stew. Put the broccoli that you have frozen in the pot and cook for around 10 minutes.
Canning Broccoli by Yourself
There are two methods to preserve food: water bath canning or pressure-cooking canning. With broccoli, we are able to apply pressure cooking canning as the temperature of 100 degrees Celsius reached in the water bath that is boiling is not enough to kill botulism spores.
The temperature of the pressure cooker is sufficient to cook the spores of bacteria and stop botulism. Therefore, pressure canning is certainly a great method to keep your fresh bites of green, and also ensures longevity.
Even after you’ve cooked the broccoli, store the broccoli in an airtight container, otherwise it will disintegrate rapidly.
Pickling broccoli
Though at first it might appear absurd, however, given the growing the popularity of fermented food currently we believe that a lot of you will like this idea of preservation in an attractive way.
What you must do is cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and then place them in a blend of salt and vinegar, and, in addition to this, you can mix on some of the delicious spices to get an extra kick of flavor.
But, as with all pickled broccoli you should keep the broccoli that you have picked in a sealed container and stored in the freezer in order to avoid any moldy conditions.
The primary benefit of picking is that it prolongs the life span of the broccoli by a staggeringly long period of time. This means it can last for up to 4-6 months! The extended life is possible because of the acidic atmosphere caused by vinegar that hinders the growth of the bacteria.
Wrapping up
Many people believe broccoli is a fantastic food since it is so abundant in nutrients. It is, however, sensitive to humidity, and so gets spoiled quickly. It is best to keep them in the fridge, or to freeze leftovers in order to keep the vegetables fresh and healthy to eat. If you don’t take necessary precautions, and be careless about it, chances are that you might get sick.
