Broccoli is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries and casseroles to soups and salads. But what do you do when you have more broccoli than you can eat before it goes bad? The simple answer is freezing. With this method of storage, you can enjoy this delectable veggie whenever the craving strikes. Learn how to do it with our guide on how to freeze broccoli!
What You Will Need
Freezing broccoli is as simple as it gets, and you'll only need things that are already available in your kitchen.
- Paper towels
- A pot filled with boiling water
- A bowl filled with ice water
- A strainer
- A baking sheet
- Freezer-safe bags
Prepare the Broccoli
Before freezing the broccoli, it's important to clean it first to ensure it’s free of dirt, worms, or any other impurities.
- Step 1: Peel off the green leaves, then run the broccoli under water. Gently rinse the surface with your hand to remove all the dirt and other impurities.
- Step 2: Once done, shake the broccoli head to get rid of the impurities. Give it another rinse and it’s ready for cutting.
Obviously, freezing an entire head of broccoli isn't really an option since it takes up too much space. Before freezing, we recommend cutting the head and stalk into small pieces (if you haven't already). For a detailed guide, check out our article on how to cut broccoli.
How to Freeze Broccoli
Blanching is an important step that preserves the broccoli's color, texture, and nutritional value during the freezing process. It also helps remove excess moisture to prevent the formation of ice crystals.
- Step 1: Boil the broccoli for around 3 minutes.
- Step 2: When the time's up, transfer the broccoli into a bowl of ice water using a strainer. Let them soak for another 3 minutes, occasionally stirring so all the pieces are evenly submerged.
- Step 3: Transfer the florets onto a flat surface and dab them dry with a paper towel.
After blanching, you can move on to flash-freezing the florets. This step helps to prevent them from clumping together into a huge mass when frozen for a long time.
- Step 4: Spread the broccoli florets all over a baking sheet. Make sure there's a little space between them. Flash-freeze them for 1 - 2 hours.
- Step 5: Remove the florets from the freezer when the time's up. Then transfer them into a freezer-safe bag. Label them with the date so you can easily keep track of when they expire. Keep for around 8 - 12 months.
With these tips and tricks up your sleeves, you can now whip up delicious broccoli dishes any time you want. Check out our Chicken and Broccoli Recipes for ideas on how to transform this delectable veggie into scrumptious dinner meals.
Luna Regina
Writer, Author