ShelfLife
How long does broccoli last?
Raw broccoli keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge from the day you buy it. Blanched and frozen, it keeps 10 to 12 months. Cooked broccoli keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli and broccoli rabe | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if broccoli has gone bad
- Yellow florets: the broccoli is past its best and turning bitter, but still edible cooked if there's no mold or smell.
- Soft, slimy or mushy florets or stems.
- Black or dark spots, or white, gray or black fuzzy mold.
- A strong, sour or sulfur smell.
How to store broccoli
- Keep broccoli unwashed in the crisper drawer, in a loose or perforated bag so it can breathe.
- Wash it just before cooking: moisture during storage leads to mold.
- Keep it away from apples, pears and bananas, whose ethylene gas turns it yellow faster.
- Use it within 3 to 5 days, and refrigerate cooked broccoli within 2 hours.
Can you freeze broccoli?
Yes, for 10 to 12 months, but blanch it first, or it turns dull, limp and bitter. Cut it into florets, boil them for about 3 minutes, plunge them into ice water, drain and dry them, then freeze them in a single layer before bagging. Cook from frozen: steam, roast or add to soups and stir-fries.
Questions
Can you eat yellow broccoli?
Yes, if it isn't slimy, moldy or bad-smelling. It's more bitter and less crisp, so it's best cooked, in soups or stir-fries.
How long does cooked broccoli last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge in a closed container, like other cooked vegetables.
Should broccoli be washed before storing?
No. Wash it just before cooking. Moisture left on the florets in the fridge speeds up mold and rot.
Add broccoli to ShelfLife when you buy it, and get a reminder before day 5.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.