There are few things that make me happier than steamed broccoli. It’s delicious and nutritious, which makes it one of the most versatile vegetables around. But while you can use all your other frozen veggies in soups and stews, can you freeze steamed broccoli?
Can You Freeze Steamed Broccoli?
Yes, you can freeze steamed broccoli. Since the vegetable is already cooked, there’s no need to blanch them. Allow them to cool, flash freeze them for 2 hours, transfer to freeze bag, and freeze them. Properly stored, steamed broccoli will last for 3 months in the freezer.
How To Freeze Steamed Broccoli
If you have leftover steamed broccoli that is not going to be eaten right away, freezing it is an option that allows you to keep your food fresh for later use without much effort. To freeze steamed broccoli, follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Steamed Broccoli
After steaming the broccoli, determine how much you want to freeze. It’s best to freeze them within an hour for the best result.
Step 2: Cool Down The Vegetable
Once you’re ready to freeze the steamed broccoli, you’ll need to let them cool to room temperature first. Freezing them while it’s still hot will cause condensation to form, which will cause the broccoli to become soggy.
Step 3: Flash Freezing
Once the steamed broccoli is cooled, place them onto a tray. Keep them from touching each other so they will not stick when it’s frozen.
Then place the steamed broccoli into the freezer for 2 hours.
Step 4: Seal Your Vegetable in an Appropriate Container
Once the broccoli is frozen, remove them from the freezer and transfer them to the freezer bag immediately.
After all the broccoli is in the bag, press on it gently to remove any excess air before sealing it tight.
Step 5: Label Your Containers
With a marker, write the date of freezing on the bag so you can keep track of how long your steamed broccoli is in the freezer. Then place them into the freezer for storage.
How Long Does Steamed Broccoli Last In the Freezer?
You can freeze steamed broccoli for up to three months. However, it’s best to use the vegetable within 2 months for the best taste.
After about 3 months, the steamed broccoli will start to deteriorate in quality. The taste will be bland and the texture of the broccoli will become soft when it thaws.
How To Defrost Steamed Broccoli
Here are four different ways to reheat steamed broccoli that will bring out its natural flavors and make it taste like you just cooked it.
1. Defrosting In the Refrigerator
The easiest way to defrost steamed broccoli is in the fridge. However, this process takes the longest. All you need to do is remove the frozen broccoli from the freezer, place them into a bowl, and put them in the fridge.
2: Defrosting In the Microwave
If you don’t want to wait for hours for your steamed broccoli to defrost, then use the microwave to heat it up quickly. Just place the frozen portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through (about 60 seconds).
3. Defrosting In the Oven
If you’re not in a hurry, then let your broccoli thaw naturally in the fridge overnight before using the oven method. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius) and arrange your pieces of broccoli on an oven tray lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil so they don’t stick together when baked.
Can You Refreeze Steamed Broccoli?
Unfortunately, no—you can’t refreeze steamed broccoli. There are two reasons why you should not.
The first reason is safety. When food is frozen and then thawed, bacteria grow in the middle of the piece of food as the water expands within it in a process called warm shock. This bacteria growth can lead to foodborne illnesses and make you really sick if you eat it!
The second reason is that steamed broccoli will lose most of its taste after freezing it twice. After it’s frozen and thawed, the broccoli will become soft and lose some of its flavors. Once you freeze it again, it will lose even more of the flavor, along with the nutrition.
Does Steamed Broccoli Freeze Well?
Steamed broccoli freezes quite well. Steaming is a good way to preserve the nutrients in broccoli. The steaming process preserves vitamin C content and other nutrients.
However, freezing changes the texture of broccoli. Frozen broccoli has a mushy consistency, which means you can’t use it in salads or other recipes that call for cut-up florets. Thawed frozen broccoli also tends to lose its bright green color after being frozen and thawed.
Conclusion
Steamed broccoli is a great way to enjoy this superfood all year round. You can freeze it for up to three months, which means that you don’t have to worry about running out of broccoli anytime soon!
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
