How to Store Cauliflower | McCormick (2024)

FAQs

How should cauliflower be stored? ›

Store fresh cauliflower heads in a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Cauliflower needs air circulation, so don't seal or knot the bag closed. (If you bought a plastic-wrapped head of cauliflower from the grocery store, just loosen up the knot.)

How to store cauliflower. Store cauliflower in a cold and moist place, 32°-40°F (0°-4°C) and 95 percent relative humidity. Cold and moist storage can be a challenge. Refrigerators provide the cold, but they also dry the air.

Cauliflower loves a dry environment with lots of airflow. If you bought your cauliflower whole and unwrapped, store it loosely covered or in a perforated bag with the stem side facing upwards. Storing it with the stem up and florets down prevents moisture from collecting on the florets, accelerating spoilage.

Cutting a rinsed head of broccoli or cauliflower into florets will allow moisture to escape and prevent spoilage. To store: Store chopped fresh broccoli and cauliflower or trimmed Brussels sprouts in a glass or plastic container with a slightly vented lid, or cover loosely with plastic wrap or a paper towel.

Once you get the cauliflower home, all you have to do is put the head of cauliflower in a perforated or open plastic bag and pop it in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

Pulse florets in a food processor until the pieces are the size of rice or couscous. Divide the cauliflower into portion sizes and transfer to airtight freezer bags or containers, label with the quantity and date frozen. As the cauliflower has not been blanched, it should be consumed within two months.

After the Cauliflower Harvest

These pests will quickly come out and die so the head will not only be safe to eat but can be stored without worrying about having it feasted on. Cauliflower keeps best when frozen or canned but it will keep for up to a week or so in the refrigerator if wrapped in protective wrap.

When cauliflower is covered in small flowers, it may mean you waited too long to harvest. Cauliflower has bolted and is focused on producing seeds. The plant becomes bitter and inedible.

Cut tops off and store in a root cellar or cool, dark area in a single layer on dry sand or cat litter. Use within two months. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.

In numbers, the Abeego-wrapped cauliflower retained heaps more moisture, having lost only 1.8% of its original weight, versus the unwrapped cauliflower, which lost 20% of its weight. Our Why: Comprised of 92% water, cauliflower is susceptible to rapid dehydration, which is why grocery stores wrap it in plastic.

How do you store cauliflower without plastic? ›

Store it in the refrigerator

The open space of the main refrigerator compartment can draw moisture out of produce. To store larger vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower, I just toss them in the crisper drawer and let them rattle around in there. Store cut fruit and vegetables in glass jars and glass containers.

And yes, it's perfectly safe to eat cauliflower with a handful of unattractive spots on it. “The oxidation process does not lead to the creation of harmful compounds and is a natural reaction between phenols and oxygen,” said Kelly Costa, a registered dietitian and health research specialist.

In the Refrigerator

You still want to keep it covered, but you'll want to give the cauliflower some room to breathe. After giving it some space for air circulation, store the veggie stem-up in the fridge. If you can, try to avoid washing your cauliflower before storage to prevent moisture retention.

Blanch (or quickly boil) cauliflower before freezing to preserve the flavor, color, and texture, says Russo. Next, shock the vegetable in cold water to further extract the moisture. Drain it, then place it in airtight freezer bags. Cutting the head into florets makes for easier freezer storage.

Cruciferous vegetables consist of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and other similar produce in that family. They are best stored in the refrigerator, either wrapped loosely or stored in a perforated bag as it's best to give them room to breathe.

As The Kitchn notes, cauliflower does see oxidative brown spots naturally, but it's not time to toss the cauliflower until the color turns from light brown to dark brown or black. That's the point of no return. Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots.

How long does cauliflower last at room temperature? Uncooked cauliflower can be stored as a whole fresh cauliflower head covered loosely on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 days.

The best place to store broccoli is in the refrigerator, but like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli likes having some room to breathe. Keep it in a loosely wrapped or perforated plastic bag so it will still get some air circulation.