Broccoli: Storage, Freezing, Reheating and Pregnancy Answers

This page pulls together the 4 broccoli answers on the site: how long it keeps, whether you can freeze it, whether you can reheat it and where it stands in pregnancy. The table gives the short answer for each; the page behind each row gives the full reasoning, the source and the exceptions.

In pregnancy: Yes — broccoli is safe during pregnancy. Wash it thoroughly before eating to remove any soil, which can carry toxoplasmosis.

Worth knowing: Blanch broccoli for a short time in boiling water, cool it quickly, drain it well and freeze it in a single layer before bagging; unblanched broccoli develops off-flavours and loses colour. Most vegetables freeze better after a quick blanch (a short dip in boiling water, then straight into cold water), which stops the enzymes that otherwise cause off-flavours and colour loss.