How to freeze broccoli: more practicality for your everyday life

Knowing how to freeze broccoli is a good alternative to ensure practicality in your daily life, as well as preserving food for longer. To learn the step by step and all the tips, follow the article!

How to freeze broccoli

You will need

• 300g of broccoli
• 1 pan
• 2 liters of water approximately
• 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate (optional)
• 1 bowl
• Ice cubes
• Ice water
• 1 clean dish towel
• 1 container with lid or plastic bag

Step by step

1. Separate the broccoli, sanitize them and cut them if necessary;
2. Then put in the pot the amount of water to boil;
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, add the ice water and ice cubes. Reserve;
4. When the water is already at its first boil, add the bicarbonate and dip the broccoli;
5. Let them boil for 1 minute and, after that, place them directly in the bowl of ice water to cool;
6. Remove them from this ice water and wrap the broccoli in a clean dish towel until completely dry;
7. Then, organize them in a container with a lid or plastic bag, packing very well so that no air gets in, and place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

This process is called blanching and ensures that the broccoli does not wilt and is preserved longer in the freezer. If you have more questions about how to freeze broccoli, see the clarifications below!

5 questions about freezing broccoli

We answer the main questions about how to freeze broccoli, so you don’t make mistakes and stay on top of the processes. Check out!

1. What is the bleaching process? According to an article in EMATER/RS-ASCAR, blanching is a process in which vegetables are quickly boiled to nullify the enzymes that, if kept alive, would change the color, aroma and nutritional value of the food. In addition, when blanching, we eliminate some microbes and bacteria present in vegetables.
2. How long does broccoli keep in the freezer? Also according to information provided by EMATER/RS-ASCAR, vegetables generally last for up to 12 months in the freezer. But be aware of the correct freezing and storage process.
3. How to defrost broccoli? To defrost, you must take them out of the freezer and immerse them in boiling water or steam them.
4. Can I refreeze thawed food? Based on the EMATER/RS-ASCAR article, this practice is not adequate. A tip is to just remove from the freezer the amount you will use in the preparation. Therefore, choose to freeze in smaller portions properly identified with a label, containing the date and name of the food.
5. Does frozen broccoli preserve nutrients? A University of Georgia (UGA) study, published in the Journal of Food Composition, found that the nutritional value of many frozen fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, is generally equal to their fresh counterparts. Compared to frozen and freshly stored in the fridge, the result is even better: “In cases of significant differences, the frozen product outperformed “freshly stored” more often than “freshly stored”. Remembering that, in the analysis, vitamins C, A and B-9 were considered.

Another tip is to opt for organic vegetables and freeze them at home, as we taught above. That way, you can be sure that your food is not full of preservatives and additives.

Other ways to freeze broccoli

Now, learn more information and tips about broccoli so you can have it in your meals!

How to freeze broccoli quickly

In this video, you will learn a very quick and practical way to freeze broccoli. It is necessary to shock the vegetables using ice. Plus, there are tips for defrosting too.

How to store and freeze broccoli

With this video, you will have more tips to cook broccoli properly and, of course, you will learn how to freeze it without it sticking to the other pieces. Now, you can buy this vegetable without waste.

How to get rid of broccoli smell before cooking it

If you are bothered by the smell of broccoli and cauliflower, Flávia Ferrari teaches, in this video, two alternatives to eliminate these unpleasant smells once and for all. After that, just freeze. Write it down!

Now that you know how to freeze broccoli and have all the tips at hand, let your creativity flow and enjoy the vegetable even more with these broccoli pie recipes.