Our nutritionist explains how to freeze and thaw broccoli, its storage period, and recipes

Did you know you can make your broccoli last longer with a simple method?

Freezing allows for long-term storage while preserving nutrients.

If you store it like you used to, you won't be able to eat all the food you buy, and you'll end up throwing it away. By freezing broccoli, you can cut down on food costs and enjoy it a little longer.

In this article, we, who have frozen hundreds of foods, will introduce you to the correct way to freeze broccoli. We will also discuss trivia and recipes using broccoli.

Please watch till the end and become the housewife you can be.

Benefits of freezing broccoli

The advantage of freezing broccoli is that it can be stored for a long time.

Broccoli is a vegetable that does not last long and will turn yellow if leftat room temperature.

If you use the refrigerator or the vegetable drawer, the storage period is about 2 to 4 days. Even if you boil it and store it, it will only last for a few days.

If you freeze it as soon as you buy it, it will last for about a month.

Freezing method

How to boil it in a pot and then freeze it

1. Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut it into florets.

2.Pour water into a pot, bring to a boil, add a pinch of salt to taste, and boil the broccoli for about 30 seconds. Adding salt  preserves its vivid color.

3. Once boiled, cool quickly with cold water, remove water, divide into portions and wrap in plastic wrap.

4. Put it in a freezer or Ziplock bag, remove the air well to prevent oxidation, and put it in the freezer.

How to heat in the microwave and then freeze

1. Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut it into florets.

2. Fill the steam case with water, add a little salt to taste, and heat in the microwave. When it boils, add the broccoli and heat at 500W for 30 seconds.

3. Cool quickly with cold water, remove moisture, and divide into small portions and wrap in plastic wrap.

4. Put it in a freezer or Ziplock bag, remove the air well to prevent oxidation, and put it in the freezer.

Thawing method and storage period

How to thaw broccoli

To thaw frozen broccoli, you can use it as is for cooking, or you can thaw it by heating it briefly in the microwave before cooking.

It is best to avoid natural thawing as it often releases a lot of moisture and becomes sticky.

Broccoli shelf life

The shelf life of frozen broccoli is approximately one month.

Try to use it up as soon as possible.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

Trivia

The history of broccoli

Broccoli was originally bred from wild cabbage. When you look at broccoli growing in the field, it looks somewhat similar to cabbage.

Cauliflower is a further improved variety of broccoli. You can see the similarities just by looking at this.

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Refrigerating broccoli

Let's also talk about how to normally store broccoli.

If you buy broccoli and have leftovers from cooking, cut them into florets and put them in a plastic bag instead of eating them whole.

Then, put it upright in the vegetable drawer.

Use it up within 4 days at the most.

The nutritional value of broccoli

Broccoli, a typical green and yellow vegetable, is extremely nutritious. Its special feature is that it is rich in vitamin C, and the content is equivalent to two lemons. It also contains the unique ingredient sulforaphane, which has strong antioxidant and detoxifying effects.

Two effects of sulforaphane

Detoxification

It has the effect of flushing out carcinogenic and harmful substances that have been taken into the body from the air or as food additives. It also has a detox effect, and can be expected to improve your skin appearance, diet, and relieve sensitivity to cold and stiff shoulders. Furthermore, it can increase liver detoxification and improve liver function.

Against hay fever

カゴメと東京理化学との共同研究によって、スギ花粉による花粉症を抑制する効果があることが確認されています。
実は、このスルフォラファンはブロッコリーの新芽であるブロッコリースプラウトの方には成熟したブロッコリーの約7～10倍も含んでいます。いつもの料理に、サッと洗ってちょっと添えるだけで、お洒落な料理に変身しますよ☝

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, she also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at DayBreak Co., Ltd., she oversees various food freezing research and writing informative content about food. Her hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 easy recipes using frozen broccoli

warm broccoli salad

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍ブロッコリー1房分
・ベーコン1パック
・卵3個
・マヨネーズ
・ケチャップ
・塩
・こしょう

<Instructions>
1) Thaw frozen broccoli by heating it in the microwave.
2) Cut the bacon into desired size and crack the eggs.
3) Heat oil in a frying pan, fry broccoli, bacon, and eggs, and season with salt and pepper.
4) Pour into a bowl, mix mayonnaise and ketchup to make the sauce, and pour it on top.

It is a very easy and tasty dish that can be ready in under 15 minutes.

Stir-fried broccoli with mayonnaise

☑材料（お弁当分）
・冷凍ブロッコリー適量
・マヨネーズ適量
・塩
・こしょう

<Instrictions>
1) Thaw frozen broccoli by heating it in the microwave.
2) Heat a frying pan and add mayonnaise. Once the mayonnaise is well dissolved, stir-fry the broccoli and season with salt and pepper.
3) Pour into a bowl and it's done.

This is a mayonnaise stir-fry that you often see in Kewpie commercials. It's quick to make and great for lunch boxes.

Bacon wrapped broccoli

☑材料（おつまみ分）
・冷凍ブロッコリーの茎
・ベーコン適量
・塩
・こしょう

<Instructions>
1) Thaw the frozen broccoli stems by heating them in the microwave.
2) Wrap the broccoli stems in bacon.
3) Fry in a frying pan or toast in a toaster. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Put in serving plate.

In addition to snacks, it is also useful for lunch boxes. Broccoli stems are rich in nutrients, and there is a variety of ways to make them tasty, so we recommend that you try it out.

broccoli and tuna salad

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍ブロッコリー1/2房分
・ツナ1缶
・マヨネーズ適量
・砂糖少々
・塩
・こしょう

<Instructions>
1) Thaw frozen broccoli by heating it in the microwave.
2) Put it in a bowl, add the tuna and mix well.
3)Add mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper and mix well.
4) Pour into a bowl and it's done.

It's a quick meal that doesn't involve any cooking. This is convenient when you want a quick small dish.

Stir-fried broccoli and tomato

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍ブロッコリー1/2房分
・ミニトマト5個
・塩
・こしょう

<Instrutions>
1) Thaw frozen broccoli by heating it in the microwave.
2) Roughly chop the cherry tomatoes.
3) Heat a frying pan and add olive oil.
4) Stir-fry the broccoli and cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Pour it into a bowl and it's ready.

This is a very quick and tasty dish that is easy to make.

Conclusion

What do you think? Broccoli is a vegetable that can be found in supermarkets all year round, and it is often relatively cheap.

Buying in bulk when it's cheap and storing it in the freezer can be useful in many ways.

Even if you buy a whole bunch, you will often have leftovers, so please try freezing them.