Does Broccoli Go Bad?

Broccoli is a beautiful dark green vegetable. It is incredibly nutritious and provides you with a lot of fiber, proteins, and vitamins. You should add broccoli to your diet if you want a proper, healthy, balanced diet. The broccoli heads are giant enough that you cannot use all of them for a single meal. So, the left overs start to rot in a few days.

The reason for them going bad is that the fungus and molds will grow all over them, and later on, they will end up in the trash can. If you want to save your food and use your broccoli for a longer time, it is better to know how to store it properly.

How to store your broccoli?

Everyone likes their vegetables fresh and crispy. Broccoli is also enjoyed when it is freshly prepared. If you keep your broccoli open in your pantry, it will wilt in one or two days. Placing your broccoli in the fridge will add three or four days to its life.

However, if you want to store it for a longer time, you can use some tips and tricks so your broccoli can remain fresh for an extended time.

Place your broccoli in the fridge.

Broccoli can remain for up to four to five days in your refrigerator. When you store it in the fridge, make sure it is dry.

It is better to keep your broccoli unwashed in your refrigerator as the washed broccoli contains moisture, which gives the medium for the growth of bacteria, molds, and fungus. It is better to keep your broccoli in a ventilated bag.

Storing your cut broccoli

The shelf life of cut broccoli is shorter than the whole broccoli head. The cut broccoli develops molds easier. If you do not have enough time to cut your broccoli when you have to cook it, you can cut it and store it. It will stay fresh for two or three days.

You can cut your broccoli, wash it, and then dry it for an hour or two in the open air. Now place your broccoli in zip lock bags and keep it in your fridge. Use it directly when you want to cook it.

Put it away from sunlight.

Even if you know that you can use all of your broccoli in a day or two, never put your broccoli where there is a source of sunlight. The reason for stressing on it is that, the sunlight will wilt the broccoli in a few hours. Meanwhile, broccoli will not be able to retain its dark green color and will turn yellow.

Sunlight also provides a warm environment for the molds and bacteria to grow which you would never want. So, it is recommended to keep your broccoli away from the sunlight.

Can you freeze your broccoli?

If you want to store your broccoli for two or three months, you should freeze your broccoli in your freezer. However, you cannot freeze your broccoli directly. If you do so, it will release all of its water when it thaws, and eventually, it will wilt down.

So, to freeze your broccoli, first wash your broccoli and then cut it into small pieces. Now boil the water in a separate pot. Add your broccoli to the boiling water and boil it for three to four minutes.

Next, in another bowl, take icy-chilled water and transfer your broccoli to it. Once your broccoli is cooled down, place it onto a paper towel to dry off the excess moisture. Place your broccoli in zip lock bags and freeze it in the freezer.

How long does broccoli last?

Broccoli may last from two days to a week. When you go for buying broccoli, make sure to buy the freshest stalk of broccoli. The freshly bought broccoli can be used even after a week when it is kept in the fridge.

However, after a week, it will go rancid, and you will not want to use it. The broccoli kept in the freezer can be used for up to two or three months. The freezer’s low temperature does not facilitate mold growth, so it stays perfect for the longest time.

How to tell if broccoli is bad?

Broccoli shows various signs and symptoms when it is going wrong, and if you notice any of it, your broccoli is not acceptable to be used. It could cause health issues for you. The following points should be kept in mind while checking your broccoli.

• The fresh broccoli retains its firm and stiff shape. If your broccoli has wilted and turned wobble, it has started to rot even if there is no presence of any molds.
• The rancid broccoli does not hold its fresh dark green color. It turns yellow.
• It is evident that if you notice any black or brown molds on your broccoli, it has already gone bad. It would be unhealthy to use this broccoli and should be discarded immediately.
• The rotten broccoli gives off an extremely unpleasant smell that is unable to bear. Throw your broccoli if you find any sickening smell in it.

Sources

• Can it go bad
• Does it go bad
• Wikihow