How to Keep Cauliflower Fresh

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you have a lot of cauliflower on hand, you might not be using all of it at once. Before your produce goes bad, take proper precautions when you store it in the refrigerator. If you’re aiming to keep your cauliflower fresh for a long period of time, try storing it freezer-safe bags. With a little extra preparation, you can enjoy fresh-tasting cauliflower on a short-term and long-term basis!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Storing in the Fridge

PDF download Download Article
  1. Soak a clean rag or paper towel in cool water and wring it out. Once your towel is no longer dripping wet, place it on the surface of your produce. Try wrapping the towel around the entire cauliflower, as this will keep it moist and fresh. [1]
    • Make sure that rag or paper towel is only damp.
    • If you don’t wrap your cauliflower up, it can dry out in storage.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Cauliflower Fresh
    Open a special produce bag or other perforated bag that’s large enough to hold your cauliflower. Fit the produce comfortably into the bag, and press out any excess air. Check that the top of the bag is securely sealed before moving it to the refrigerator. [2]
    • Since you’re using a perforated bag, it’s not a big deal if the produce bag isn’t fully sealed.
    • If you don’t have a perforated bag on hand, use a pair of scissors to cut small holes into a regular storage bag.
    Advertisement
  3. Pull out the bottom crisper drawer of your refrigerator and check that there’s enough space for your produce. [3] Don’t place any other fruits and vegetables near the cauliflower, as this can affect the overall freshness of your produce. [4]
    • Don’t overstuff your crisper drawer with food, as your cauliflower could end up getting squashed.
  4. Take a mental note of when you place the cauliflower in the refrigerator. Try to cook with or eat the vegetable in the next few days, or else the produce might lose its freshness. If you leave the cauliflower in the refrigerator longer than 1 week, it might not taste as good. [5]
    • Brown spots are a normal occurrence on fresh cauliflower. It doesn’t mean that the produce is rotten—it just means that your plant is low in boron. [6]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Freezing the Produce

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pour 1 gallon (3.8 L) of boiling water into a large bowl or basin. Fill a large container with a large amount of hot water. Aim to use about 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water, or enough to completely submerge your produce. If you’re only preserving a small amount of fresh cauliflower, you can use a little less water. [7]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Cauliflower Fresh
    Try to use about 4 tsp (23 g) for each 1 gallon (3.8 L) that you’ve poured. After pouring in the salt, stir the water to ensure that the salt is completely dissolved. [8]
    • The salt helps keep your cauliflower fresh in the freezer.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Cauliflower Fresh
    Clean and blanch the produce thoroughly by submerging it in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of salty water. Leave the cauliflower in the water for a few minutes, so the produce can last longer in storage. Once the vegetable has soaked, drain the pot over the sink to get rid of any excess water. [9]
    • Use oven mitts or hot pads whenever you try handling containers of hot water.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Cauliflower Fresh
    Use a large knife to chop your cauliflower into smaller pieces. Aim for the chunks to be equal in size, so they’re easier to package and store. If the vegetable pieces are too big, you might not be able to store them properly. [10]
  5. Place the chunks into a plastic container or bag. Before you store the produce, check the labels on the container to ensure that they’re freezer-safe. Try to push out any extra air from the bag or container, so the cauliflower can stay as fresh as possible. [11]
    • If you’re using a bag, check that the seal is tight and secure.
    • Not all containers are freezer-safe. Check the bottom of your reusable storage boxes to see if they’re safe for long-term use in the freezer.
  6. Take a label or piece of masking tape and write down the current date. Secure this label to your container of cauliflower, so you can keep track of its freshness. Ideally, try to eat or cook with your produce between 8 and 12 months so it doesn’t taste dry and freezer-burned. [12]
    • While your cauliflower will still be safe to eat after that time, it won’t taste fresh.
    • Try to keep your container of cauliflower in a place where you won’t forget about.
  7. Avoid defrosting the vegetable pieces on your countertop, as this can make them taste less fresh. Instead, try adding the frozen chunks to your recipes. Keep the extra water content in mind when adding frozen cauliflower as an ingredient, as it might make your recipes more watery. [13]
    • This works best when adding cauliflower to stews and soups.
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You Need

      Storing in the Fridge

      • Paper towel or rag
      • Water
      • Perforated bag

      Freezing the Produce

      • Large bowl or basin
      • 1 gallon (3.8 L) of boiling water
      • 4 tsp (23 g) of salt
      • Knife
      • Freezer-safe bag or container


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Freeze Cauliflower
      10 Ways to Keep Sliced Bananas from Turning Brown
      How to
      Stop Bananas from Turning Brown Too Quickly
      How to
      Keep Brown Sugar Soft
      How Long Do Olives Last? (And How to Tell If They’ve Gone Bad)
      How to
      Keep Sandwiches Fresh
      How to
      Ferment Fruit
      How to
      Seal Glass Jars
      How to
      Revive Limp Celery
      How to
      Store Popcorn So It Lasts Longer
      How to
      Prevent Sugar Syrup from Forming Crystals (Plus, How to Fix It)
      How to
      Keep a Baguette Fresh with Proper Storage
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://harvesttotable.com/harvest-store-cauliflower/
      2. ↑ https://harvesttotable.com/harvest-store-cauliflower/
      3. ↑ https://www.oregonlive.com/cooking/2014/05/9_tips_for_buying_storing_and.html
      4. ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/keep-fruits--vegetables-fresher-longer
      5. ↑ https://www.oregonlive.com/cooking/2014/05/9_tips_for_buying_storing_and.html
      6. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/food/6-secrets-you-should-know-about-cauliflower
      7. ↑ https://harvesttotable.com/harvest-store-cauliflower/
      8. ↑ https://harvesttotable.com/harvest-store-cauliflower/
      9. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/hni20_cauliflower.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/hni20_cauliflower.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/hni20_cauliflower.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/hni20_cauliflower.pdf
      4. ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/how-to/defrosting-frozen-vegetables-like-a-pro-tips-and-tricks-for

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,991 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement