How to Freeze Broccoli in 5 Easy Steps

Learning how to freeze broccoli is a smart way to reduce waste and save time when cooking. This vegetable still tastes good after thawing, so let's get to freezing.

Freezing broccoli is an ideal way to reduce waste and make cooking easier and quicker. Much like many other vegetables, broccoli will lose its original taste and texture if frozen raw. Once defrosted, this vibrant and crunchy vegetable will turn mushy and gray. Learning how to freeze broccoli so that it still tastes as good after defrosting is a trick you will want to know about. Follow this guide on how to properly freeze broccoli to keep this fresh, nutritious, and bright green vegetable tasty for longer. 

How to Freeze Broccoli in 5 Steps

To ensure your broccoli will still taste and look fresh after freezing, you will need to blanch it first. Follow these steps for how to prepare and freeze your broccoli:

Instructions:

1. Prepare your broccoli by trimming the ends and separating it into florets.
2. To blanch the florets, bring a pot of water to a boil. On the side, prepare a bowl of iced water and a tray lined with a clean kitchen towel.
3. Once boiled, dunk the florets in the pot and cook them for two to three minutes. Remove the florets from the pan using a slotted spoon and plunge them into the iced water. Leave the florets in their ice bath for a further two to three minutes. 
4. Drain the ice water and place the florets onto the lined tray in a single layer, without touching one another. Pat them dry with a clean dish towel. 
5. Place the tray into the freezer and allow the florets to freeze completely before removing them from the freezer and transferring them to a freezer bag or reusable container.

Leave in the freezer and grab as much as you need when cooking. Frozen broccoli will keep in the freezer for up to a year. 

Uses for Frozen Broccoli

Frozen broccoli doesn’t always need to be defrosted before cooking. You can simply toss it into any dish while cooking, like casseroles, stews, or pasta for a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. Here are a few ways to cook frozen broccoli:

• Boil: Simply toss frozen broccoli florets into a pan of salted boiling water for two to three minutes. 
• Pan-Fry: Heat a frying pan over low heat with a little oil or butter. Toss in the frozen broccoli florets, stirring until tender. 
• Roast: In a baking tray, place the frozen broccoli with an added drizzle of olive oil and seasoning. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until the broccoli has slightly browned.
• Microwaving: In a microwave-safe dish, place your frozen broccoli along with a splash of water. Cover with a microwave-safe lid and cook on a high setting for four to five minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and cooked through. 

Defrosted broccoli is perfect in soups, such as this broccoli cheese soup. 

Read more:

• Broccoli Pesto: 3 Step Recipe for Pasta, Grill & More
• Reuse Vegetable Scraps: Skip the Trash and Put Food Back on Your Plate
• Yellow Broccoli: Is It Safe To Eat?

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Tags: Food Freezing Guide Practical Tips Vegetables