Cauliflower is one of the most delicate and perishable vegetables. If not stored properly, it will quickly spoil. However, with a little bit of care, you can easily keep your cauliflower fresh for up to two weeks. While the best way to store cauliflower is in the fridge, in a perforated plastic bag, sometimes this is not possible. If you don’t have a fridge, or if your fridge is full, there are still ways to keep your cauliflower fresh.
How To Keep Cauliflower Fresh Without A Fridge
Keeping your cauliflower doesn’t have to be complicated. Like most vegetables that require refrigeration, all you need is a cool, dark place. Here are a few storage tips to keep your cauliflower fresh without a fridge:
Store cauliflower in a cool, dark place: The best way to store cauliflower is in a cool, dark place. This could be a pantry, cupboard, or even the basement. Just make sure the temperature is consistently cool and there is little to no light.
Wrap cauliflower in a paper towel: Before you store your cauliflower, wrap it in a paper towel. This will help absorb any moisture and prevent the cauliflower from spoiling.
Store cauliflower in a perforated plastic bag: If you have a perforated plastic bag, store your cauliflower in that. This will help keep the air circulating and prevent the cauliflower from spoiling.
Don’t wash cauliflower before storing it: You may be tempted to wash your cauliflower before storing it, but this is not a good idea. Washing the cauliflower will remove the natural protective coating, making it more susceptible to spoiling.
Inspect cauliflower before storing it: Before you store your cauliflower, take a look at it and remove any loose or crumbly florets. These are more likely to spoil and will cause the rest of the cauliflower to go bad more quickly.
Keep it within reach: When storing cauliflower, make sure it is within reach. The closer it is, the more likely you will remember to use it. It will also be easier to keep an eye on it and make sure it is still fresh.
Store cauliflower in the freezer: If you don’t have a cool, dark place to store your cauliflower, you can also store it in the freezer. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer bag. Frozen cauliflower will keep for up to two months.
Best Way To Store Fresh Cauliflower
While there are a few different ways to store cauliflower, the best way is in the fridge, in a perforated plastic bag. Cauliflower requires high humidity to stay fresh, so the perforated bag will help to keep it from drying out.
If you have loose or crumbly florets, you can store them in a boiling water bath for 2-3 minutes before draining and patting dry with paper towels. This will help to preserve their shape and texture.
Most grocery shops wrap cauliflower heads in plastic or cellophane wrap. While this does protect the cauliflower from getting damaged, it doesn’t do much to keep it fresh. Instead, it can trap moisture while promoting rot.
So, once you buy the cauliflower, remove it from the plastic or cellophane as soon as possible and store it in a perforated bag in the fridge. This will help to keep it fresh for 3-5 days.
Pre-cauliflower florets shouldn’t be stored in the fridge for more than 2-3 days, as they will start to lose their texture and flavor.
How Long Does Cauliflower Last?
How long the cauliflower will last depends on how you store it. Fresh cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for 3–5 days. However, that will decrease to just 2 days if the cauliflower is cut into florets. Frozen cauliflower, on the other hand, can last for 2–3 months. Understand that frozen cauliflower will not taste as good as fresh, so it is best used in cooked dishes.
If you’re storing the cauliflower non-refrigerated, you need to consume it within a day or two. Cauliflower can be stored at room temperature, but only if it is whole and uncut. Once the cauliflower is cut, it needs to be refrigerated.
Cooked cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat it until it is steaming hot before eating. Freezing cooked cauliflower is also an option, and it can last for six months.
You can tell your cauliflower is starting to go bad if the florets are loose or crumbly. The cauliflower should be firm to the touch. If it is starting to get mushy, it is past its prime and should be thrown away.
Other Vegetables To Store Without Refrigerating
Cauliflower is one of the many vegetables that stay fresh the longest if stored properly. Other vegetables that can be stored without refrigerating include:
- Onions: You want to keep your onion in a cool, dark place. An unopened pantry is a perfect spot. Keep it away from potatoes, as they will cause the onion to spoil more quickly. Onions can last for up to two weeks when stored properly.
- Potatoes: potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark place. An unopened pantry is a perfect spot. Just make sure to keep them away from onions as they will start to sprout. Potatoes can last for up to two weeks.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. They will last for up to a week when stored properly.
- Garlic: Garlic should be stored in a cool, dark place. An unopened pantry is a perfect spot. Just make sure to keep them away from onions as they will start to sprout. Garlic can last for up to two weeks.
- Carrots and celery: These vegetables should be stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Rejuvenate them every few days by trimming the ends and soaking them in cold water for a few minutes. They will last for up to a week or two when stored properly.
- Cabbage: It’s best to store cabbage in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Cabbage will last for up to a week.
- Turnips: These vegetables should be stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Rejuvenate them every few days by trimming the ends and soaking them in cold water for a few minutes. They will last for up to two weeks.
- Beets: These vegetables should be stored in the fridge, but not in the crisper drawer. The reason is that beets will bleed and stain other foods in the crisper drawer.
Conclusion: Storing Cauliflower Without A Fridge
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many different dishes. It is best to store cauliflower in the fridge, but it can also be stored at room temperature or in the freezer. Just make sure to consume it within a day or two if you’re not storing it in the fridge. cooked cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for six months.