How Long Does Broccoli Last?
Fresh broccoli lasts 3–5 days in the fridge. Cooked broccoli keeps 3–4 days, and blanched broccoli holds its quality for 8–12 months in the freezer.
Broccoli — fresh
shelf life- Cut: 2–3 days in the fridge
- Cooked: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Broccoli is a head of tightly packed, unopened flower buds on a thick stalk. It keeps breathing hard after harvest, faster than most vegetables, so it burns through its reserves quickly: the buds yellow, the stalk goes rubbery and the smell turns strongly sulfurous within about a week, even in the fridge.
How to store broccoli
- Store broccoli unwashed in the crisper in an open or perforated bag. It needs some airflow; sealed airtight, it sweats and the trapped gases speed yellowing and odor.
- Buy heads with tight, dark green or purplish buds and a firm stalk. Any yellow on the buds means it is already several days into its short life.
- Keep it away from ethylene producers such as apples, bananas and tomatoes, which turn the florets yellow faster.
- To freeze, cut into florets, blanch 3 minutes in boiling water, chill in ice water, dry well, freeze on a tray and then bag.
How to tell if broccoli has gone bad
- Florets turning yellow or the buds opening into small yellow flowers. It is safe at this stage but bitter and past its best.
- A limp, bendy stalk and florets that feel soft instead of firm and squeaky.
- Slimy patches, or black and brown soft spots on the head.
- White or gray fuzzy mold on the florets or the cut end of the stalk.
- A harsh, rotten-egg sulfur odor from raw broccoli.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Broccoli shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | 3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Blanch florets for 3 minutes before freezing. | |||
| Cut | 2–3 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Florets you have cut yourself or an opened bag of pre-cut florets. | |||
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Is broccoli that has turned yellow safe to eat?
Yes, yellowing broccoli is safe to eat, but the flavor is more bitter and the texture tougher. The yellow is chlorophyll breaking down as the buds age and start to flower. Cook it rather than eating it raw, and discard it if there is also slime, mold or a foul smell.
Should you wash broccoli before storing it?
No, wash broccoli right before you use it. Water trapped between the tight buds does not dry off in the fridge and encourages mold and soft rot within a couple of days. If it is already wet from the store mister, pat it dry before bagging.
How long does cooked broccoli last in the fridge?
Cooked broccoli lasts 3–4 days in the fridge in a covered container, whether steamed, roasted or part of a casserole. Refrigerate it within 2 hours. Leftover cooked broccoli develops a stronger sulfur smell over time; that alone is normal, but sliminess or a sour odor is not.
Can you freeze broccoli without blanching it?
You can, but the result is poor. Unblanched broccoli turns drab, tough-stemmed and off-flavored in the freezer within a few weeks, because the enzymes that age it keep working. A 3-minute blanch stops them and gives you 8–12 months of good quality at 0°F (−18°C).
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cauliflower Whole |
3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Brussels Sprouts Fresh |
3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Cabbage Whole |
1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Kale Fresh |
5–7 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Frozen Vegetables Unopened |
1–2 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Cooked Vegetables Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.