Why You Should Start Buying Broccoli Frozen Instead Of Fresh
Many grocery shoppers think that they absolutely have to get their produce fresh, no matter what the season. They have the perception that the frozen versions of whatever vegetables and fruits that are on their grocery shopping list have been sitting in the freezer aisle for ages, losing all the nutrients. It turns out that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, there are some vegetables for which you should often reach for the frozen version instead of the fresh, and broccoli just happens to be one of them.
As Taste of Home explains, though modern grocery stores can get produce shipped in from all corners of the world regardless of the season, just because you can purchase it year-round doesn't necessarily mean you should. After just a few days sitting in the fridge, not only will broccoli start to get a bit limp and soggy, it also loses major minerals and vitamins.
Frozen broccoli, on the other hand, is often flash frozen right when it's at its peak, a vibrant green hue and absolutely packed with all kinds of nutrients. This means that in most cases, depending on where you live and what season it is, you're actually better off reaching for the frozen variety than buying a fresh crown that will just sit in your fridge for days, losing nutrients and freshness.
Tips for cooking with frozen broccoli
Since frozen broccoli doesn't go bad with the same speed that fresh broccoli does, you'll likely always have a bag on hand whenever the mood for some dishes incorporating the vegetable strikes. One common complaint that causes many people to avoid frozen broccoli is how it can get somewhat soggy when cooked — however, that's not the fault of the broccoli, that's just a mistake with the preparation.
If you want incredible frozen broccoli, you just have to put a bit of extra effort into how you cook it, as The Kitchn explains. Sure, you could steam it in the microwave, but that doesn't do much for the taste. Instead, consider roasting it — this will give it that great roasted flavor, and will also help any excess water evaporate so you're not left with soggy, water-logged broccoli. It also does well when sauteed or stir fried.
In fact, you can ensure your broccoli is fresh and nutrient-packed year-round by simply storing it in the freezer rather than the fridge, even if you purchase a fresh head of broccoli rather than a bag of frozen florets. You'll just need to take a few extra minutes to cut up the broccoli into florets, boil it for a few minutes before plunging the pieces into an ice bath, and then freezing it. Seriously — it's that simple.