How long does broccoli last?
Broccoli keeps for 3 to 5 days in the fridge, up to 10 to 12 months in the freezer. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.
Where these times come from. USDA FoodKeeper has no entry named "broccoli". The times on this page are the USDA figures for broccoli, copied without change from its Broccoli and broccoli raab (rapini) entry. The full entry lists other kinds too.
No guideline
3 to 5 days
from the package date
10 to 12 months
best quality within
How to tell broccoli has gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists broccoli under.
- Slimy, wet leaves on greens that were crisp before
- Soft or mushy spots on vegetables that were firm
- Sprouting or wrinkled skin on potatoes and onions
- Mould, often white or fuzzy, near the stem or cut end
- Sour or off smell replacing a vegetable's usual earthy scent
More on produce: fresh vegetables. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store leafy greens loosely wrapped in the crisper drawer, ideally with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture. Keep potatoes, onions and garlic in a cool, dark, dry place outside the fridge, and store potatoes away from onions since they spoil each other faster. Trim and wash vegetables just before cooking.
More in produce: fresh vegetables
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.