How To Preserve Broccoli

on Jun 03, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Learn How to Preserve Broccoli with this guide to freezing and dehydrating — easy methods to keep your garden-fresh broccoli nutritious and delicious all year long!

A frying pan filled with fresh broccoli florets sits on a wooden surface next to a wooden spoon, with more broccoli for how to preserve broccoli and a website label blessthismessplease.com visible.

Preserving Guide: How To Preserve Broccoli

There’s nothing quite like opening your freezer in January and pulling out broccoli that still tastes like it was just picked from your summer garden. These preservation methods lock in that peak-season freshness and nutritional value.

You don’t even need any fancy equipment to stock the larder with broccoli. Basic freezing only requires a large pot for blanching, a bowl of ice water, and freezer bags. For dehydrating, you can use your regular oven on its lowest setting.

Preserving broccoli when it’s abundant and affordable means you’ll always have this nutritious vegetable on hand without paying premium winter prices. Your grocery budget will thank you!

Preserving Guide: How To Preserve Broccoli
When To Harvest Broccoli
How To Store Broccoli
Dehydrating Broccoli
Canning Broccoli
Freezing Broccoli
Expert Tips
More Tips For Preserving The Harvest

When To Harvest Broccoli

Harvest before the buds separate or show color. Cut center heads while the buds are still tight.

After the center head is cut, smaller side shoots develop which will extend the harvest season up to a month more!

How To Store Broccoli

In the refrigerator

Dehydrating Broccoli

CUT: Trim and cut as for serving. Quarter stalks lengthwise.
DIPPING: Water or steam blanch
- Water: 2-3 min
- Steam: 3-5 min
DEHYDRATOR: 12-15 hours
APPEARANCE WHEN DRY: dry; crisp

Canning Broccoli

Not recommended!

Freezing Broccoli

Select firm, young, tender stalks with compact heads.
Remove leaves and woody portions.
Separate heads into convenient-size sections and immerse in brine (4 teaspoons salt to 1 gallon water) for 30 minutes to remove insects.
Split lengthwise so flowerets are no more than 1 1/2 inches across.
Water blanch 3 minutes in boiling water or steam blanch 5 minutes.
Cool promptly, drain and package, leaving no headspace.
Seal and freeze.

🍎🫙 Get a free Preserving Guide for all the details to dehydrate, can, and freeze 42 fruits and vegetables — get the FREE GUIDE here!

Expert Tips

Choose the Best: Start with the freshest broccoli possible, ideally harvested in the morning when moisture content is highest. Look for tight, dark green florets with no yellowing and firm, crisp stems. The better your starting material, the better your preserved results will be.
Master the Blanching Technique: Use a large pot with plenty of rapidly boiling water (at least 1 gallon per pound of broccoli) and work in small batches. Time it precisely – 3 minutes for large florets, 2 minutes for smaller pieces. Immediately plunge into ice water for the same amount of time to stop the cooking process.
Remove Every Drop of Moisture: After blanching, drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels before freezing or dehydrating. Excess moisture leads to ice crystals in frozen broccoli and prevents proper dehydration.