How to keep cauliflower fresh, freeze it, and tell if it's bad
Quick answer
-
Fridge
Keeps for 3-5 days
Store cauliflower in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and freeze it if you won't cook it within 3 to 5 days.
-
Freezer
Keeps for 10-12 months
Blanch or partially cook cauliflower in boiling water or a microwave oven, chill it rapidly, and then freeze it.
Cauliflower keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, counted from the day you buy it. Blanch it before freezing, and it lasts 10 to 12 months in the freezer. Throw out cauliflower that looks rotten, but cut off a small mold spot with at least 1 inch around and below it.
Buying cauliflower this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Cauliflower lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 10 to 12 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Both times count from the day you buy it, so freeze any cauliflower you won’t cook within 3 to 5 days.
How to store cauliflower
Store cauliflower in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, where it keeps 3 to 5 days. That’s the FDA’s advice for perishable fresh vegetables, and the FDA also says to refrigerate all produce bought pre-cut or packaged.
At the store, choose cauliflower that isn’t bruised or damaged. Pick pre-cut or bagged cauliflower only if it’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
How long does cauliflower last in the fridge?
Cauliflower lasts 3 to 5 days in the fridge from the day you buy it. Before you cook it, cut away any bruised or damaged areas.
Does cauliflower need to be refrigerated?
Yes, cauliflower needs the refrigerator. USDA FoodKeeper gives it storage times for the fridge and freezer only.
How to freeze cauliflower
To freeze cauliflower, blanch it, chill it rapidly, and put it in the freezer. It keeps 10 to 12 months there from the day you buy it.
The USDA’s guide to freezing and food safety says most vegetables that freeze well need this brief, partial cooking to prevent deterioration.
- Rinse the cauliflower under plain running water, then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Blanch or partially cook it in boiling water or in a microwave oven.
- Chill it rapidly, then put it in the freezer.
Can you freeze raw cauliflower?
Blanch cauliflower before freezing it instead of freezing it raw. The USDA says most vegetables that freeze well are low acid and need brief, partial cooking first, or they deteriorate.
How to tell if cauliflower is bad
Throw out cauliflower that looks rotten. A small mold spot is different, because you can cut it off. Cut at least 1 inch around and below the spot, keeping the knife out of the mold.
The USDA’s guide to molds on food gives that rule for firm, low-moisture vegetables such as cabbage and carrots. Mold has a hard time getting into dense foods like these.
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Bruised or damaged areas | Cut them away before you prepare or eat it |
| A small mold spot | Cut off at least 1 inch around and below it |
| A rotten look | Throw the cauliflower out |
How to wash cauliflower
Wash cauliflower under plain running water before you cut or eat it, rubbing it gently. Then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables advise.
Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, since produce is porous and can absorb them. Washing reduces bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them.
Frequently asked questions
How long does frozen cauliflower last?
Frozen cauliflower keeps 10 to 12 months from the day you bought it, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Does bagged cauliflower need to be refrigerated?
Bagged cauliflower needs the refrigerator, because the FDA says to refrigerate all produce bought pre-cut or packaged. At the store, choose only bags kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
What should you do with bruised cauliflower?
Cut bruised or damaged areas off cauliflower before you prepare or eat it. Throw out cauliflower that looks rotten.
Do you need soap to wash cauliflower?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash on cauliflower. Rub it gently under plain running water instead, since produce is porous and can absorb soap.
