Can You Reheat Broccoli? [Without Ruining It]

Even though not adored by kids, broccoli provides extra flavor and nutrients that many food lovers crave. Some people might disagree with us on the flavor part; however, nothing can deny the nutritional value of broccoli. Broccoli appears in almost all the delicious meals that you can think of. But, like our other favorite vegetables, can you reheat broccoli?

Yes, it is safe to reheat broccoli if it is kept in the fridge and shows no signs of spoilage. However, when reheating broccoli, you need to be mindful of the temperature, or you will ruin its texture and make it mushy.

In this article, we will answer all your questions about reheating broccoli and how you can do it without spoiling it!

Can you heat broccoli twice?

You can reheat leftover broccoli many times as long as it shows no signs of spoilage. Just make sure that the temperature and duration of heating are correct.

Note: Reheating broccoli twice will affect its taste and freshness, and it may turn mushy or even cause food poisoning. It is advised that vegetables, especially roasted ones, should not be reheated twice.

Is it safe to reheat the broccoli in the microwave?

Yes, you can reheat the broccoli in the microwave. However, it isn’t very easy to do so. Different microwaves have different temperature settings, so it is impossible to determine a hard and fast rule for reheating broccoli in the microwave. As a general rule, you can reheat broccoli until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can I microwave broccoli without water?

Yes, you can microwave broccoli without water because it naturally contains 90% water. It is a much better option to microwave broccoli than boil it because boiling water can extract most nutrients from broccoli.

How do you reheat steamed broccoli in the microwave?

1. Slice the broccoli into bite-size florets. If you want to consume the stalk, chop it smaller than bite-size florets and remove any wooden parts to ensure uniform heating.
2. Place the chopped broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and fill it with water. For one pound of broccoli, you will need to add around 2-3 tablespoons of water.
3. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe wrap tightly. You can also use a ceramic plate to cover the bowl.
4. Place the bowl in the microwave and let it reheat on the normal (high) setting for 3-4 minutes. At the 2 ½ minutes mark, you can take out the bowl and check if it has heated properly. If not, put it back for the remaining time.
5. Once the broccoli is done preheating, remove the cover carefully as it is holding back steam.

If you’re curious about other foods that can be reheated in a microwave, Check out our articles on warming up injera and seafood boil!

Is it better to boil or microwave broccoli?

Microwaving broccoli is much better compared to boiling it. This is because boiling water extracts most nutrients from broccoli. Moreover, using a microwave is quicker and hassle-free.

Can you reheat broccoli in the oven?

Yes, you can reheat the broccoli in the oven. Just place the broccoli on a baking sheet and heat it at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.

Can you reheat broccoli on a stovetop?

Using a stovetop is a great alternative for reheating broccoli. Just put it in a pan of your choice and stir-fry it for a couple of minutes. This way, you can avoid overcooking or burning your broccoli as you will be looking at it while reheating.

How long does it take to steam broccoli on a stovetop?

It might take around 5 minutes for the broccoli to steam on a stovetop. Apart from this, you can let the broccoli steam until it turns bright green and crisp.

Can you reheat broccoli on a grill?

Yes, you can reheat the broccoli on a grill. Simply place the veggie on a grill and let it heat for a few minutes.

Reheating your broccoli on a grill may add a light smoky flavor to it. Add some seasoning or lemon juice to make it more flavorful.

Can you reheat broccoli in a toaster oven?

Yes, you can reheat the broccoli in a toaster oven by switching it to the bake mode and adjusting the temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, heat your broccoli in the toaster oven for about 2 minutes, and you will be good to go!

Can you reheat broccoli in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to reheat broccoli. Simply place your broccoli in the air fryer basket and let it reheat at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes. The best thing about reheating broccoli in an air fryer is that it helps keep your veggie crisper.

How long to reheat broccoli?

The reheating time varies according to the equipment you use to reheat the broccoli. The oven can take up to 10 minutes to reheat the broccoli. In the microwave and on a stovetop, it can take 5 minutes.

How do you reheat cooked broccoli?

You can reheat cooked broccoli in the oven on low heat at 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cover it with foil to protect your steamed broccoli from becoming soggy or drying out while reheating.

How do you reheat roasted broccoli?

To reheat roasted broccoli, place the veggies on a baking sheet and bake them at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 5 minutes until they’re firm and crisp.

Are you enjoying our reheating broccoli guide? Then you will also be amazed when you learn the proper way to reheat brie!

Related FAQs to reheating and broccoli!

Can you eat broccoli that turned yellow?

You can eat broccoli that has turned yellow. However, it will taste bitter. Usually, people tend to throw away broccoli that has turned yellow. If some florets have turned yellow, you can chop them off and consume the rest of the broccoli to avoid the bitter flavor.

Can cooked broccoli sit out?

Cooked broccoli should not sit out at room temperature (between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 2 hours. This is because bacteria grow very quickly on broccoli at room temperature.

Can you eat broccoli cold the next day?

Yes, you can eat cold broccoli the next day. Broccoli thawed in the fridge can stay fine for 3 to 4 days. However, if you thawed your broccoli in cold water or the microwave, consume it immediately.

Why does broccoli burn in the microwave?

Broccoli burns in the microwave at high temperatures because it contains high amounts of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium. These minerals are like tiny pieces of metal, and microwaves bounce off of them, causing sparks, i.e., burning.

Wrapping up our thoughts on reheating broccoli!

Broccoli’s nutritional value is insane. Hence, many people look for an ideal method to reheat broccoli without letting go of any nutritional benefits. You can use any of the methods mentioned above for reheating broccoli properly.

All the methods discussed above will yield great results, but our preferred one is using an air fryer as it keeps the veggies crisp. You can try each method out and find what works best for you!

Here is another reheating guide, but this one is related to asparagus. Enjoy!