How To Keep Broccoli Fresh In The Refrigerator
Fresh broccoli is always going to taste so much better than frozen broccoli. The problem is that as soon as the broccoli is harvested, it will be well on its way toward wilting. Unless you know how to store it properly in the fridge, it won’t last more than a couple of days. Luckily, you have us. We are going to teach you exactly how to keep broccoli fresh in the refrigerator.
Keeping your broccoli in a mason jar is probably the best route to go down. Fill up a mason jar with a small amount of water, put the broccoli in, and then place the jar in the fridge. If you store the broccoli as soon as possible after harvest or purchase, then we wouldn’t be surprised if you got a little over a week of life in the fridge using this method.
This isn’t the only method that you can use to keep broccoli fresh in the refrigerator. So, let’s tell you a little bit more about how storing in a mason jar works, plus share a few more ideas for keeping broccoli fresh in the refrigerator.
How Long Will Broccoli Keep Fresh In The Refrigerator?
Using our methods, broccoli should keep fresh in the fridge for about a week. That is about the limit for storing broccoli without freezing it.
If you freeze your broccoli, then it should keep indefinitely. If you consume it within 3-6 months of freezing, then it should taste roughly the same as fresh broccoli. Not 100% the same, but most people probably wouldn’t be able to taste the difference. The longer something is frozen, the less flavor it will have.
You will know that refrigerated broccoli has gone bad when it has started to wilt or takes on a brown/black color.
When To Store Broccoli In The Fridge
Ideally, as quickly as possible. Within 30 minutes of cooking or purchase is probably best. As soon as the broccoli is picked, the rotting process will start. So, the quicker you store it, the better.
Should You Wash Broccoli Before Placing It In The Fridge?
If you have purchased from a store, no.
If you have picked the broccoli yourself, then yes.
Too much moisture is bad for the broccoli and it will speed up the ‘rotting’ process. The reason why you are cleaning when it is freshly picked is that you want to get rid of as much dirt and grime as possible. Those will speed up the rotting process even more.
Where To Store Broccoli In The Fridge
While you could, in theory, store the broccoli anywhere in the fridge, we suggest that you use the crisper drawer. In fact, you should use the crisper drawer for most fruits and vegetables.
Crisper drawers with controllable settings should be set to low humidity. It will help to reduce moisture in the drawer, slowing down the rotting process.
If you don’t have a crisper drawer, then you should be fine placing the broccoli anywhere in the fridge. Just bear in mind that it probably won’t last as long.
Storing in a Mason Jar
The best method for keeping broccoli in the fridge is to use a mason jar. You will need the following:
- A mason jar (or a vase)
- Plastic wrap
Start by adding about an inch of water to the bottom of the mason jar or vase. You can then place the broccoli in the jar, much like you would display a bouquet of flowers. Place some plastic wrap on top of the broccoli. Do not wrap too tightly. You want there to be some airflow, and you don’t want to damage the broccoli.
Every single day, you will need to replace the water. If you don’t, the broccoli will rot faster.
Other Methods For Keeping Broccoli Fresh In The Refrigerator
If you don’t have space to store a mason jar in your fridge, then you can wrap the broccoli in plastic wrap. Again, make sure that the wrap is loose. You may even want to poke some holes in the plastic wrap. Basically, you want the broccoli to be protected, but you also need good airflow around it.
This broccoli should be kept in the crisper drawer. Unfortunately, it will last a little less time than if you used the mason jar method. You may only get 3-4 days of life out of it.
These articles are similar to a few others on our website How To Keep Herbs Fresh In The Fridge, How Long Can Deer Meat Stay In Fridge Before Processing? and How To Store Cilantro In The Fridge?
Final Thoughts
When stored properly in the fridge, you should be able to keep broccoli fresh for up to a week. Storing the broccoli in a mason jar, much like you would put flowers in a vase, is probably the best method. If you don’t have a jar, you can loosely wrap the broccoli in plastic wrap instead.
