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How Long Does Broccoli Last – Unexpected, Unbelievable!

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Broccoli is one of the favorite and very familiar vegetables eaten in the world. It is delicious and healthy as it is loaded with nutrients from B vitamins to vitamin C. vitamins E to K, folate (folic acid) to potassium, calcium to iron, among others.

Amazingly, you can eat this raw or slightly steamed and of coursed roasted. It is definitely a great food to add to regular diet due to these healthy facts, but also of its versatility. You can make almost any dish in which you can include broccoli as main or additional ingredient.

One downside about broccoli is that it’s easy and quick to perish. You cannot afford to waste a whole bunch of this cruciferous vegetable, although it may be just a few bucks.

It’s still a food filled with many vitamins and minerals as well as anti-cancer properties. So this gives us the questions regarding how long does broccoli last and how to keep it fresh much longer.

​How Long Does Broccoli Last?

how long does broccoli last in the fridge
Broccoli and ripe tasty fruits in fridge – via depositphotos

Unlike potatoes and carrots, broccoli lasts less than a few days. Unless it is refrigerated, cooked broccoli is only good for that time being. Therefore, it is important to always keep this vegetable on the fridge.

Fresh broccoli stay long from 7 to 14 days, while cooked ones can only last up to 9 days. But remember that the fresher it is the more delicious and enjoyable to eat it.

How To Know If Broccoli Is Spoiled?

Now that we’ve uncovered how long does broccoli last, you may also want or need to know how it smells if it is bad or rotten. If not properly stored, fresh or cooked broccoli is quick to spoil. It must be easy to figure out that it’s time to throw it in the trash bin.

how long does broccoli last in the freezer

Bad smell, which is a common sign, indicates the food is already spoiled. In addition to that, the color changes from bright green to yellow or white and brown.

Do not keep them and serve them on the tables for everyone, especially if you have young kids, to eat. You don’t want any of your family to go through food poisoning and digestive issues.

Even if there’s no smell or changing in color, it is still vital to check broccoli, most especially if they have been stored for more than a week. Here are some quick things you can do to be certain.

1. Place The Broccoli Near Your Nose And Inhale

This is the easiest to find out if the vegetable is still good to consume or not. Any unusual scent must be regarded as rotten.

2. Touch Or Press The Broccoli

How long does broccoli last isn’t dependent on the days it’s been refrigerated. Sometimes, they rotten shorter than 7 days, such as when mixed with other cooked foods. So what you need to do is to squeeze the stalk to have an idea if it is still edible or not. It must be firm to verify its freshness.

How Long Does Broccoli Last After It’S Been Prepared In A Dish?

how quickly does broccoli go bad

What about if the broccoli has already been prepared or cooked? How long does it last? Typically, it’s good for only a couple of hours or so. That’s why you have to finish everything once it’s served on the dining table. It’s not recommended to keep some leftover for consumption later.

Can You Extend The Shelf Life Of Broccoli?

Broccoli can be stored and extended at the same time. You can keep it frozen for weeks up to 8 months! Here’s how you can do this.

1. Cut The Broccoli Into Pieces

how long does broccoli last

This is the easiest to find out if the vegetable is still good to consume or not. Any unusual scent must be regarded as rotten.

First, slice the broccoli including the stalks into small pieces.

2. Wash Off

how do you know when broccoli is gone bad

Mix 2/4 water and 1/4 white vinegar. Soak and wash sliced fresh broccoli in the solution. Vinegar contains acetic acid that is helpful in removing dirt, bacteria and other impurities in the vegetable. Stain and rinse with water.

If intended to keep the vegetable much longer, you must blanch it first.

3. Store In A Sealed Plastic Bag

Right after washing or blanching, place the broccoli in a resealable plastic bag, such as Ziploc and seal properly. Refrigerate for days or weeks. Take note that once you open the bag it is already exposed to air which makes it vulnerable to getting spoiled.


Conclusion

Now that you know how long does broccoli last it is important to bear in mind this fact to avoid wasting the vegetable and your money.

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