Can You Freeze Purple Sprouting Broccoli? How?

Here is everything you need to know about freezing purple sprouting broccoli and storing it. 

These methods and tips have worked wonderfully for me. 

So, let’s dive right into it. 

How to Freeze Purple Sprouting Broccoli?

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This is the best way to make sure that the purple sprouting broccoli retains its color and texture for longer.

Print

Materials

• Purple Sprouting Broccoli
• Boiling Water
• Ice Bath
• Baking Sheet

Tools

• Parchment Paper
• Ziploc Bag

Instructions

1. Wash and Prep: Thoroughly wash and clean the purple sprouting broccoli and remove all the wilted or damaged parts. Separate the broccoli into florets instead of leaving them on the stalk.
   
   
2. Blanch: Put the florets of purple sprouting broccoli into a pot of boiling water for a minute or so. Then quickly transfer it into an ice bath to stop any further cooking.
   
   
3. Dry and Lay Out: Drain all the water and dry the purple sprouting broccoli. Then spread it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Take care to evenly space them out and not clump them together.
   
   
4. Flash Freeze: Leave the tray of broccoli florets in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let it freeze solid.
   
   
5. Pack and Seal: Transfer the frozen florets of purple sprouting broccoli into a Ziploc bag and seal them in, after making sure to squeeze out all the excess air in the bag. You can use a straw to make this step easier.
   
   
6. Label and Freeze: Don’t forget to add a label on the bag with the best before date before popping it in the freezer for the long term.
   
   You can watch this YouTube video by “Jerry James Stone” on how to freeze broccoli and use the same steps to freeze your purple sprouting broccoli -

Freezing Purple Sprouting Broccoli without Blanching It First

If you are in a hurry and want to skip a few steps but freeze the broccoli well, here is how you can do it.

Wash and Prep

Rinse the purple sprouting broccoli thoroughly and get rid of any damaged or wilted part. Then separate the florets for freezing. 

Lay Out

Once you drain out all the water and dry the florets, lay it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Space them evenly and make sure that they are not touching each other. 

Flash Freeze

Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let the florets freeze solid. 

Pack and Seal

Transfer the frozen purple sprouting broccoli into a Ziploc bag and seal them in after you squeeze out all the excess air in the bag. 

Label and Freeze

Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the purple sprouting broccoli till you need it next. 

How Long Can You Freeze Purple Sprouting Broccoli? 

You can freeze purple sprouting broccoli for up to 2 months without losing much of its taste or quality.

Keep in mind that the purple sprouting broccoli is more delicate than the regular green ones. So, they tend to lose their texture and flavor much faster. 

The purple sprouting broccoli is more prone to getting freezer burns, so take extra care while packing it and make sure that it is not exposed to air. 

In any case, it is best to use the frozen purple sprouting broccoli sooner rather than later if you want to get the best of its texture. 

How to Store Frozen Purple Sprouting Broccoli? 

You can store frozen purple sprouting broccoli in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.

The key is to make sure that they are air-tight and it can protect the florets from being exposed to air or freezer burns. 

If you are wondering which is the best choice between containers and Ziploc bags, it comes down to how much space you have in the freezer.

If you are pressed for freezer space, the Ziploc bags are your best bet. You can stack even large portions flat on top of each other and store them compactly. 

How to Defrost Purple Sprouting Broccoli? 

To get the best texture and flavor of frozen purple sprouting broccoli, you can skip the defrosting step and use it directly for cooking.

Although it will lack crunch and will have small changes in texture, it will taste just fine once it is cooked. 

In case you want to thaw, you can pop it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let it thaw gradually.

Be sure to drain out any liquid that collects at the bottom of the container, before cooking it. 

You could also microwave the florets if you are in a hurry. But then you will have to consume the broccoli immediately.

Can You Refreeze Purple Sprouting Broccoli? 

No, it is best not to refreeze purple sprouting broccoli. Although it may be safe to consume it once refrozen, the repeated freezing and thawing will ruin the texture and quality of the purple sprouting broccoli. 

Also, keep in mind that if the vegetable was left out for long before refreezing, there are high chances of bacterial buildup on it, making it unsafe to consume. 

To avoid having to refreeze or waste the purple sprouting broccoli once it thaws, you can portion it beforehand into small measures that you can easily consume in one go.

Flash freezing the florets also helps you pull out just a handful or two without having to thaw the whole batch. 

Does Purple Sprouting Broccoli Freeze Well? 

Yes, purple sprouting broccoli freezes well, but it is best to have them fresh.

The purple sprouting broccoli is more fragile unlike the regular broccoli and can change in texture and taste once it freezes. It also has a shorter freezer life in comparison. 

Blanched florets of purple sprouting broccoli freeze better than unblanched florets.

They retain better color, flavor, and texture. But even the blanched florets will not have the same crunch that fresh purple sprouting broccoli has. 

FAQs

Bottom Line 

I hope this article helped you freeze and store florets of purple sprouting broccoli. 

If you have any queries or would like to share some freezing tips of your own, it would be great to hear from you. 

Feel free to share this article with your family and friends.