If you’re wondering how to freeze broccoli to use at a later time, this tutorial is for you! Learn everything you need to know about freezing broccoli, including how to blanch it and the best ways to cook it.
If you have too much fresh broccoli, maybe from your garden or CSA share, I’ve got the solution for you! Learn the best techniques for freezing this cruciferous vegetable so that it’s not a mushy mess when you go to use it.
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How to Blanch Broccoli for Freezing
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While it’s coming to a boil, cut or separate the crowns of broccoli into florets. If you need tips, see my tutorial on How to Cut Broccoli. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. You can also use a steamer basket placed over a couple inches of boiling water and steam for 5 minutes. Do not overcook the broccoli. You want it to still be mostly firm and just gently cooked.
Immediately transfer the broccoli to a mixing bowl filled with ice water. I like to use a slotted spoon to do this quickly, but you can drain the broccoli in a colander and then transfer it to the bowl if preferred.
Drain the broccoli in a colander. Pat dry and try to remove as much water as possible. You can even squeeze each floret with your hand to wring out some extra water. Spread out the blanched broccoli on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours until frozen solid.
Transfer the frozen broccoli to a freezer-safe bag, such as a Stasher bag (pictured here). Store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Use within 3 months for best results.
How to Freeze Broccoli Without Blanching
Since blanching preserves nutrition, color, texture, and taste, I highly recommend blanching broccoli before freezing it. However, you can still freeze broccoli without blanching it first.
Just cut it into florets and transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and label. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, but use within 1 month for best results.
You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn’t been blanched doesn’t have as good of a taste or texture in recipes. However, it’s usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it’s not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.
Frozen Broccoli Recipes
When consider the best cooking method for frozen broccoli, you should keep a few things in mind. First, it usually doesn’t need to cook as long as fresh broccoli since it’s already been gently cooked through the blanching process. If subbing frozen broccoli for fresh, cut the cooking time down by at least a few minutes.
Second, frozen broccoli will turn mushy when thawed. So, it’s best not to thaw frozen broccoli and instead use it straight from frozen in cooked recipes. It’s easy to use in soups and stir fry.
If you want to cook it for a simple side dish, I recommend steaming over boiling. You can also roast frozen broccoli. Remember to leave enough room between the florets while they roast so they don’t get too mushy, and check out my Roasted Frozen Broccoli recipe for more tips.
Here are some other recipes in which you can substitute frozen broccoli for fresh:
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📖 Recipe
How to Freeze Broccoli
Equipment
- large pot
- Mixing bowl
- Colander
- Freezer bag
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable steamer basket over a couple inches of boiling water.
- Cut the broccoli into florets. Wash and dry. Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water.
- Once the water is boiling, drop the broccoli into the pot and cook for 3 minutes. If using a steamer basket, cook for 5 minutes. Do not overcook the broccoli. It should still be fairly firm, just gently cooked.
- Immediately transfer the broccoli to the bowl of ice water. You can use a slotted spoon to do this quickly or drain the broccoli first then transfer it.
- Let the broccoli sit in the water for a few minutes before draining. Get the broccoli as dry as possible. I often will squeeze the florets gently in my fists to ring out any excess water.
- Spread the blanched and dry florets out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place the baking sheet in the freezer, somewhere it won't get bumped, and freeze for 1 to 2 hours until frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen broccoli florets to a freezer bag. Label and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Use within 3 months for best results. Add directly to cooked dishes without thawing first. Do not use in raw broccoli salads or else it will be mushy. I also recommend steaming instead of boiling if you are using it for a simple side dish.
- To freeze broccoli without blanching, just cut it up and store in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. Freeze and use within 1 month for best results.
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