Can You Freeze Broccoli? Tips For Freezing Broccoli!

Can You Freeze Broccoli?

Yes, definitely you can freeze broccoli. If you want something simpler in your kitchen, freezing broccoli can be one of them. The versatility of broccoli allows it to freeze well and defrost within a small period. That makes things easy for you.

If you don’t have any broccoli, you can easily grow them in your vegetable or flower beds. So, it’s an easy job to accomplish. So, it would be advisable to not ask yourself such an irrelevant question, ( Can I freeze broccoli?) Just begin.

Vegetables are something that most of us aren’t very fond of, but the opinion varies from person to person. You might love having broccoli or you might have plenty of broccoli left over for a while. The question is how to preserve them. Can you freeze broccoli? Well, the answer is Yes!

What Is Broccoli?

Broccoli comes under those vegetables which can be cooked quickly and easily. The part you must be having mostly is flowers. They contain high flavor along with nutritious elements such as calcium, iron, zinc, thiamine, etc. They have to be harvested once the flower blooms.

They can go with most things. You can stir-fry the broccoli, or add them to a hot steaming soup. They can even be added to casseroles. The options are endless.

If you are looking to grow broccoli, then your patience will be tested. If you start to grow broccoli then it will take around 70 to 100 days for it to get ready, from the day you have sown the seed on the ground. Generally what happens is, if you grow them on a large scale, the probability is that they will be harvested at different times.

How To Freeze Broccoli?

Whether you have stumbled on broccoli on an amazing deal from farmers or you have had a great harvest from your field. The next thing you must be looking at is how to preserve them. So, the answer to your question is, through blanching and freezing.

Below mentioned are some steps, using which you can preserve your broccoli easily at home:

Step 1: Harvesting broccolis at their peak

You have to harvest your broccoli before the flower buds open. Yet you need to make sure that the flower is tight and well-sized.
It’s advised that you pick up your broccoli in the early morning. It’s said so because they are well-hydrated and cool at that time.
You should even be careful while cutting it, make sure you cut the flower off with some plant. Always use a sharp knife for the same.
If you are looking to freeze broccoli, then make sure to choose those whose crowns are fresh, firm, and have a deep greenish color.

Step 2: Gather your equipment

You will require some instruments in this procedure. They are easily accessible in your kitchen or at a nearby Wal-Mart.

Cutting board
Slotted spoon
Baking sheets
Colander or mesh strainer
Knife
Zip-lock freezer bags
Parchment paper
Large bowl
Large pot
Kitchen towels

Step 3: Soaking broccoli in salted water

Start by cleaning the broccoli with clean water, and rinse it properly. It is done to remove all sorts of dirt and dust.
Now you have to soak these properly rinsed broccolis in salty water. It is done because there must have been many worms and bugs which weren’t washed away due to the nooks and crannies of broccoli.
(You can easily prepare the salt bath by adding 4 teaspoons of salt to 1 gallon of water taken in a big bowl.)
Now you will be moving towards removing the unwanted things, such as leaves, and trimming off the stems.
Further, you will be dividing the broccolis crown into pieces having sizes close to 2 inches in particular.
Then you have to place all of them in the salty water and soak them for about ½ an hour.
Finally, drain it out in a proper manner under a running water way before blanching.

Note: Don’t throw away the leaves and stems save them for another use.

Step 4: You have to blanch the broccoli

Once you start to blanch the broccoli in boiling water, you will come to know in a while that it even gets partially cooked.
You shouldn’t skip the blanching process as it slows down the reaction rates of enzymes, which causes a loss in texture flavor, and color. It even washes away any sort of microbes present in broccolis.
Take some water in a large pot and keep it on a high flame to boil. Until this water is boiling, you must prepare an ice bath. Do that by pouring some cold water along with some ice cubes into a large container.
As the boiling water gets ready, add all the broccoli pieces. Boil them for nothing less than 3 minutes.
Next, you have to remove the broccoli from the pot and put it in ice-cold water. Then allow it to cool for 5 minutes.
While observing if you find that broccoli has cooled down then take it out and spread it on a clean towel for drying.

Step 5: Try to quick-freeze the broccoli

Then the next step includes flash-freezing the broccoli. You will be finally freezing them after a proper quick flash of freezing.
You will be doing it to prevent the pieces from sticking to each other.
You have to dry these broccolis by placing them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Make sure it is placed in a single layer.
Freeze it until it gets solid i.e., up to an hour.

Step 6: Package it into freezer bags

Finally, you have to place this frozen broccoli in a freezer-friendly bag.
Make sure the bag is airtight and closed properly.
Then you have to label it with the date of freezing and store it in a freezer.
Take them out when you have to use them to prepare a recipe.

Tips For Freezing Broccoli!

Now that you know how to freeze broccoli, here are some tips that will give you the best-freezing results. Check them out below:

Try freezing the broccoli along with other vegetables, such as cauliflower, carrots, and sprouts. This will create vegetable blends.
Broccoli should be put in a bag and frozen if you don’t have the time to flash-freeze it. Later, you can shake the bag to separate the florets.
Never forget to blanch the vegetable before freezing it, as it will contribute to preserving the texture and flavor of the broccoli.

How Long Can You Keep Broccoli Freezing?

You can freeze broccoli for about 6 months in the freezer. They are quite freezer-friendly and therefore they will keep well in the freezer. But the longer you store it in the freezer, the more likely it is that the flavor will deteriorate and the texture will soften when it is thawed.

How To Defrost Frozen Brocolli?

You do not necessarily need to defrost broccoli, you can directly use them from the freezer in recipes such as soup, casserole, or stew. You can also mix the frozen florets into the liquid and thaw them over low heat if you wish to cook them a little later.

Is it possible to Freeze Broccoli Without Blanching?

Well, possibly you can freeze the broccoli without blanching, but it is not recommended to freeze them without blanching. This is because blanching is a great technique to keep nutrition, flavor, color, and texture. And without blanching the broccoli will lose its flavor and texture.

Blanching will take you a little extra time, but it is the best option to keep your broccoli fresh for longer. Additionally, you will also get superior quality frozen broccoli if you blanch and freeze them, instead of just freezing the broccoli.

How To Use Frozen Broccoli?

Frozen broccoli is equally suitable as the usual broccoli for all types of cooked meals.

Oven roasted
Sauteed
Steamed

You can add frozen broccoli to pasta as well. Once the pasta is in its last minute of cooking toss in some of the frozen broccoli along with some sauce.

Broccoli is good for improving blood sugar and keeping it in control. They tend to boost immunity and improve heart health. Therefore, it’s advisable to have as many fresh leafy vegetables as possible. If you can’t have them fresh you now know how to thaw your frozen spinach.

So, now you know how to freeze spinach, how to thaw them, and even their ample amount of usage. I guess this was a win-win post for you. Let me know in the comments what best did you like in this post and what more you were looking for.