How long does broccoli last?
In the fridge, broccoli keeps for 3 to 5 days from the package date.
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
No guideline
Does broccoli go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, broccoli may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
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.
How long do other produce: fresh vegetables last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.