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Blanched Broccoli Florets in an colander

How To Blanch Broccoli For Freezing

Instructions to blanch broccoli before freezing or cooking to retain its color and texture.
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Course: Appetizer, lunch, Salad, Side Dish, snacks
Cuisine: American, General
Keyword: Blanching vegetables
Categories: Healthy Greens
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Chilling In Ice Water: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 39kcal

Equipment

  • Sauce Pan For Boiling Water
  • 1 Colander For Draining Broccoli
  • 1 Large Bowl for Ice Water For Quick Cooling Broccoli

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Broccoli (400 g) Whole head with stalk

For Boiling

  • 4 Quarts Water 1 quart = 4 cups, 4 quarts = 16 cups
  • 2 Tablespoon Salt

For Quick Cooling

  • 8 cups Water
  • 2 cups Ice Cubes

Instructions

Prepare Ice Water Bath

  • In a large bowl add ice cubes and add 8-10 cups of water

Cut Broccoli

  • WIth a small knife, cut broccoli into medium-sized florets.
  • The remaining stalk can be sliced thin into discs.

Boil Broccoli

  • In a large saucepan, add 1 quart (4 liters / 16 cups) of water
  • Add 2 tablespoons of salt and bring to a boil.
  • Add broccoli florets and sliced stalk to the boiling water. Set a timer for 3 minutes.

Quick Cooling

  • After 3 minutes of boiling, drain the hot water immediately with a colander.
  • Immerse the broccoli in the prepared ice bath.
  • Keep in water for 5 minutes, and drain the water.
  • Pat dry the broccoli with a clean kitchen cloth or paper towel.
  • Spread broccoli florets and stalks on a baking tray, so they are not touching each other. Freeze for a few hours.
  • Broccoli is now ready to be bagged and stored away in the freezer.

Notes

  1. Since most of the salt water is drained off, the nutritional panel shows a lower amount of sodium than is present in 2 tablespoons of salt. 
  2. It is important to shock the cooked broccoli in an ice bath immediately after boiling it for 3 minutes. This prevents the broccoli from cooking further, and helps preserve its texture and crunch. 

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 101mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer

Nutrition facts are estimates. Always check with your healthcare provider before making dietary changes.

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