How can you tell if Broccoli has gone bad?

Signs that Broccoli has gone bad: Black mushy spots, slimy stems, sulfurous strong smell. Still good if: Yellow florets — past peak but still safe to eat; trim off the yellowed parts and cook the rest.

What does the date label on Broccoli mean?

Broccoli usually doesn't carry a printed date label — judge by storage time and the spoilage signs above.

Produce

How long does Broccoli last?

Q: How long does Broccoli last?

In the fridge: 3–5 days. In the freezer: 1 year (blanched). Sealed / unopened: N/A. Yellow florets mean it's past peak but still edible. Black spots mean discard.

Medium confidence Quality concern

How long does Broccoli last? fridge 3–5 days, freezer 1 year (blanched). Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.

Fridge

3–5 days

Pantry

Refrigerate only

Freezer

1 year (blanched)

Sealed / unopened: N/A

Signs Broccoli has gone bad

Black mushy spots, slimy stems, sulfurous strong smell.

Still good if

Yellow florets — past peak but still safe to eat; trim off the yellowed parts and cook the rest.

Discard immediately if

Slimy texture even after rinsing
Sour smell
Black or fuzzy mold spreading from a single spot

Why guidance varies

Fresh produce ripening depends on ethylene-gas exposure, storage temperature, humidity, and time since harvest — duration estimates assume typical home conditions, not optimal commercial storage.

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Sources for this answer

A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.

Reviewed: 2026-05 · Rule: if manufacturer storage instructions are stricter than category guidance, the manufacturer instructions win.