How Long Do Brussels Sprouts Last? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do Brussels Sprouts Last? ›

Brussels sprouts usually last for about a week in the fridge when stored properly. If you're looking to extend the lifespan even more, freezing is a great choice. Brussels sprouts last for up to a year when blanched and stored in the freezer.

Throw out fresh brussel sprouts that have a foul odor, yellow or wilted leaves, a mushy or slimy texture, or dark spots. Use fresh brussel sprouts within 1–2 weeks of getting them. Store the brussel sprouts in a plastic bag inside your fridge, and wash them before cooking them.

Even though Brussels sprouts can last up to a week in the fridge, sometimes a little longer, their taste gets stronger and less sweet with time. They are at their best when prepared within three to four days of purchase.

When storing Brussels sprouts whole, place them loose in a bowl and cover with a food-safe plastic wrap, like Glad^® Press'n Seal^® or Glad^® ClingWrap. Poke a few holes in the wrap and place your bowl in the fridge. Doing this should mean your Brussels sprouts will last in the fridge for about five days.

You have two options for freezing: individual quick freeze or package freezing. Quick-freeze Brussels sprouts individually on a cookie sheet. For fastest freezing, place the sheet close to where cold air enters your freezer. After sprouts are frozen, tuck them into freezer bags in bulk.

Over the last two decades, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked 48 outbreaks of foodborne illness to raw or lightly cooked sprouts (22). If food poisoning occurs, symptoms may appear 12–72 hours after eating the sprouts, and can include diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting ( 23 ).

Throw away any sprouts that are past their best-before date or that have lost their crispness, look wilted or smell musty.

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

There will usually be a sour odor and the brussel sprouts might be extra liquidly, mushy, and there could be mold. Cooked brussel sprouts should typically be eaten within 2-3 days once cooked.

Bean sprouts are a common choice for a lot of people. They are rich in fiber and various nutrients and are therefore a good addition to any diet. Bean sprouts are generally ready to eat after 5-6 days when they are nice and tall and the first leaves have appeared.

How do you know if sprouts are safe to eat? ›

Whether you have purchased sprouts from the store, or grown them at home, you can reduce the chance of developing a foodborne illness from sprouts by following these guidelines: Buy/consume only fresh sprouts that are kept refrigerated. Do not buy/consume sprouts that are limp, slimy, moldy or have an off odor.

Storage: Properly stored, fresh sprouts will keep for up to 6 weeks in your refrigerator but fresher is better. Never refrigerate wet sprouts. Eat More Sprouts!

How long can you keep Brussels sprouts on the stalk? Brussels sprout stalks will keep for up to 10 days in the refrigerator. You can also store them on the countertop or suspend them by their leaves. Without refrigeration, the sprouts and stem should stay fresh for four or five days.

Take the produce bag you loaded up with these tiny looking cabbages and put it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. If you have the option to adjust the humidity, these sprouts like it humid. Kept this way, brussels sprouts can keep for weeks, over a month actually.

Make ahead: Brussels sprouts can be trimmed and halved up to 3 days in advance. Stop treating the squash like a tuber and start thinking of it like a melon.

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Undercooked sprouts can taste even more bitter than the cooked variety. Overcook them, and they release more sulfur — which amplifies the cabbage smell.

You “can” eat them, as in they're not harmful (technically I suppose they'd be protein), so it won't hurt if you ingest a few — but they don't taste good.