How to Blanch Broccoli

Blanching is the key to vibrantly colored, crisp-tender broccoli that’s ideal for freezing or use in your favorite recipes. Here’s how to do it.

By
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice is a food and beverage writer and photographer. Her work can be found in CiderCraft Magazine, King Arthur Flour’s SIFT Magazine, The Coastal Table, and Plate Magazine, as well as at CraftBeer.com.
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Published December 15, 2022
Lori Rice
Blanched Broccoli on a Plate Surrounded by a Kitchen Towel and a Cutting Board with Heads of Broccoli for How to Blanch Broccoli

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Blanching broccoli is a simple process that involves quickly cooking your florets, then immediately chilling them to stop the cooking so the broccoli stays bright green. It’s an essential step for freezing the vegetable and it helps the broccoli look and taste its best in everyday recipes. 

Blanched Broccoli on a Plate Surrounded by a Kitchen Towel and a Cutting Board with Heads of Broccoli for How to Blanch Broccoli

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

What Is Blanching?

Blanching is a process of cooking food (often vegetables) in boiling water for a few minutes before transferring it to an ice water bath, which shocks the vegetable and stops the cooking process. The result is a vibrantly colored, slightly cooked vegetable that is still crisp and ideal for freezing or use in a favorite recipe.

Why Should I Blanch Broccoli?

Blanching has a number of benefits. 

  • It destroys any dirt or microorganisms that may still remain on your broccoli. 
  • Blanching stops the action of enzymes naturally present in vegetables that change the color, flavor, and texture when you freeze your broccoli. This means more appealing and tasty florets when the broccoli is thawed. 
  • It slows the loss of valuable nutrients, which is especially important when you plan to freeze broccoli for an extended period of time, and enhances the color of the vegetable.
  • Blanching keeps the color bright green so you don’t get dull gray-green florets in your favorite broccoli casserole. 
Bowl of Broccoli for How to Blanch Broccoli

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Use Blanched Broccoli in These Recipes

How to Blanch Broccoli

Prep Time 8 mins
Cook Time 4 mins
Total Time 12 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch broccoli (any weight)

Method

  1. Cut the broccoli:

    Cut the crowns of broccoli into florets that are similar in size. An ideal size for eating and freezing is about 1 1/2 inches wide, across the top of each floret.

    Broccoli Cut into Florets on a Cutting Board for How to Blanch Broccoli

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  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil:

    Fill a large pot 3/4 full of water and turn the burner to high heat. Bring the water to a full boil. Putting on the lid will help it come to a boil faster. 

    The size of pot and amount of water you need will depend on how much broccoli you will be blanching. The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests using one gallon of water per pound of vegetables.

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  3. Add the broccoli:

    Carefully add the broccoli florets to the boiling water using a spider or slotted spoon.

    Broccoli Florets Ladled into Pot of Boiling Water for How to Blanch Broccoli

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  4. Boil the broccoli: 

    Allow the water to return to a boil. This should happen within 1 minute. Once the water is boiling again, cook the broccoli for 3 minutes.

    Broccoli Boiling in Pot of Boiling Water over the Stove for How to Blanch Broccoli

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  5. Prepare the ice water bath: 

    While the broccoli cooks fill a large bowl 3/4 full with ice and cold water.

    Bowl of Ice Water for How to Blanch Broccoli

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  6. Cool the broccoli: 

    Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli from the boiling water to the ice bath. Let the broccoli cool in the ice water for 3 minutes.

    Boiled Broccoli Cooling in the Bowl of Ice Water for How to Blanch Broccoli

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice
  7. Drain the broccoli: 

    Remove the broccoli from the water either by straining and discarding the water or spooning the florets out of the water. Pat dry with paper or kitchen towels. It’s ready to pack and freeze or use in recipes.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
32 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 32
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 38mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 60mg 301%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 272mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.