How Long Do Brussels Sprouts Last? (2024)

Whether you’re storing them in the fridge or freezer, find out how long Brussels sprouts last. Plus, learn how to tell if they’ve gone bad.

By

Alex Loh

How Long Do Brussels Sprouts Last? (1)

Alex Loh isEatingWell's associate food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for theEatingWellaudience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.

Published on June 22, 2023

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How Long Do Brussels Sprouts Last? (2)

Brussels sprouts are a powerhouse in the kitchen. Whether they're shaved raw and tossed up in a salad or roasted and topped with Parmesan for an easy side, Brussels sprouts add delicious flavor to any dish. The next time you pick up some sprouts, you may ask yourself, "How long do Brussels sprouts last?" Keep reading to find the answers to all your sprout-related questions, including how to store Brussels sprouts and how to know when they go bad, so you can feel confident when cooking with this tasty cruciferous vegetable.

How to Store Brussels Sprouts

The longevity of Brussels sprouts in the kitchen starts with proper storage. Brussels sprouts are best stored in the fridge. Here's how to store them:

  1. Place whole Brussels sprouts in a zip-top bag and seal. Store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for up to one week.

Wait to wash Brussels sprouts until right before you're ready to use them. Washing prior to storage may encourage spoilage due to the excess moisture. We also recommend keeping Brussels sprouts whole during storage, as cut Brussels sprouts may dry out. If you buy Brussels sprouts on the stalk, it's best to remove them before storing.

How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts

If you're looking for a long-term storage solution, you can freeze Brussels sprouts. Before you freeze, you'll need to blanch the Brussels sprouts first to kill any bacteria. Plus blanching also helps avoid the loss of vitamins and minerals while preserving the sprouts' bright green color. Here's how to do it:

  1. Rinse the Brussels sprouts. Remove any outer leaves; trim stems. Halve or quarter the sprouts, depending on their size.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a large bowl of ice water next to the stove.
  3. Add the Brussels sprouts to the boiling water; cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath with a slotted spoon. Drain well; pat dry.
  4. Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a large baking sheet; freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container and store in the freezer.

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.

How Do You Know When Brussels Sprouts Go Bad?

There are a few signs that indicate your sprouts are less than fresh. 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).

If the Brussels sprouts are beginning to open, it's another indication of potential spoilage. Fresh Brussels sprouts should be tightly furled. A fresh sprout will also be firm, so if any have soft spots, it's best to skip using them.

The Bottom Line

Brussels sprouts last for about one week in the fridge or 1 year in the freezer. If freezing, be sure to blanch the Brussels sprouts first. Rotten Brussels sprouts will have brown or yellow spots or be soft to the touch.

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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.

How can you tell if brussel sprouts have gone bad? ›

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.

Can brussel sprouts last 3 weeks in the fridge? ›

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.

How long do sprouts keep in the fridge? ›

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.

How long do brussel sprouts last on the counter? ›

How long do brussel sprouts last? Raw on the counter, they will last 3-4 days, raw in the refrigerator, they will last 1-2 weeks. Cooked brussel sprouts will keep 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Can I eat 2 week old Brussels sprouts? ›

The Bottom Line

Brussels sprouts last for about one week in the fridge or 1 year in the freezer. If freezing, be sure to blanch the Brussels sprouts first. Rotten Brussels sprouts will have brown or yellow spots or be soft to the touch.

How to know if sprouts have gone bad? ›

Place the sprouts in the fridge as soon as you get home and use them before the best-before date. Use within two days of purchase if they are not pre-packaged. Throw away any sprouts that are past their best-before date or that have lost their crispness, look wilted or smell musty.

Can I eat sprouts after 5 days? ›

Sprouts are generally ready to eat when the hull/seed covers have dropped and the first pair of leaves have opened. You know they are ready to eat when they are 1/2 – 2” (1.30 – 5 cm) long. This is usually after 4-6 days.

How long do Brussels sprouts on a stalk last? ›

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.

How to keep sprouts fresh longer? ›

Refrigeration is the only effective food storage method for storing fresh sprouts. Sprouts last up to six weeks when properly refrigerated.

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.

How long is too long for sprouts? ›

Finally, you do not want to consume sprouts that have been languishing for weeks in the refrigerator. A good turnaround time is 5-7 days. Plan on sprouting small batches of seeds, so that only a small amount will be stored at one time.

How many days old sprouts can be stored? ›

Sprouted mung beans stay best and fresh for 1-2 days in refrigerator. It is good to consume them fresh. However they can be stored for 3 to 4 days. At home we mostly eat the same day or store them in a glass container.

Can brussel sprouts last a month in the fridge? ›

Stored properly, they can stay fresh for over a month, but I wouldn't stock pile them just yet. First thing, brussels like it cold, around 30 degrees F, so you definitely want to keep them in the fridge. Secondly, it is best to prep them before storage. If any of the sprouts have yellow leaves, pull them off.

How to keep Brussels sprouts fresh for a week? ›

You should also remove any brown or yellow leaves to prevent rotting, and only wash the sprouts right before you intend to use them. When Brussels sprouts are stored using this method, they can stay fresh in the crisper drawer of the fridge for up to a week.

Can you eat leftover brussel sprouts? ›

It's as simple as spreading the leftover Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet (use two to avoid overcrowding if there's a lot) and heating them in a 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. When the sprouts come out of the oven they'll be hot and crispy all over.

Are the bugs in brussel sprouts safe to eat? ›

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.

How long do Brussels sprouts last on the stalk? ›

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.

Why do brussel sprouts taste bad sometimes? ›

Because PTC is prevalent in Brussels sprouts, these so-called "Supertasters" perceive them as intensely bitter. This is all connected to a taste-related gene called TAS2R38, which has a variant called AVI and one called PAV.

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