• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Eat Like No One Else logo

  • 🏠 Home
  • ℹ️ About
    • How to Eat Like No One Else
  • πŸŽ„ Christmas
    • Christmas Breakfast
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Christmas Food Guides
    • Shopping for Christmas Dinner
  • 🎁 Shop for Gifts
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • ✍️ Sign Up for Virtual Events
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ℹ️ About Us
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
  • 🍎 Apples Reviews
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ℹ️ About Us
    • 🍽️ Recipes
    • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
    • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
    • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
    • 🍎 Apples Reviews
    • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
    • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • Γ—

    Home Β» Toss or Keep Β» Can You Eat Broccoli That Has Turned Yellow?

    Can You Eat Broccoli That Has Turned Yellow?

    Published: Jul 18, 2010 Β· Modified: Sep 3, 2021 by Eric Samuelson

    Is broccoli that turns yellow just another color or it is something you want to avoid?

    Toss or Keep - Can You Eat Broccoli That Turned Yellow

    You came to this blog looking for answers.

    Is that broccoli I forgot about that turned yellow still ok to eat.

    You got questions, I hope I have answers.

    We love to answer your food related questions here at Eat Like No One Else.

    Feel free to ask another one in the comments section when you are done reading the answer to this question.

    Jump to:
    • Can You Eat Broccoli That Has Turned Yellow?
    • What Happens When You Cook Broccoli That is Yellow?
    • Can You Eat Raw Yellow Broccoli?
    • What About the Stalks?
    • What About Broccolini?
    • Not Comfortable? Toss It!
    • Why Does Broccoli Turn Yellow?

    Can You Eat Broccoli That Has Turned Yellow?

    Answer: Well yes you can eat it.

    Wait. wait, wait.

    Don't hit that back button yet!

    Broccoli that has turned yellow is not poisonous, however....

    Do you really want to eat it?

    Probably not.

    You see when broccoli turns yellow it becomes very bitter. Or if you are growing broccoli in your garden and it flowers, it will be very bitter.

    Growing Broccoli in my garden
    This is broccoli that I grew in my garden several years ago. It's here to show you what the freshest possible broccoli looks like.

    What Happens When You Cook Broccoli That is Yellow?

    If you thought it looked bad before you cook, it looks even worse.

    And through my own personal tasting - which I don't recommend now as I bite the bullet for you - the bitter taste gets even worse when you cook it.

    Can You Eat Raw Yellow Broccoli?

    So if you really don't want to waste it, you could eat it raw. If there is only a little bit of yellow, you might be able to cut the yellow parts off and use the rest.

    Let your tongue make the final decision. If it tastes too bitter than do not eat it or add it to something sweet that will counteract the bitterness

    What About the Stalks?

    We have been talking about the florets turning yellow but can you eat the stalks when the florets have turned yellow?

    Depends on the condition of the stalks. If they seem soft, they won't be good.

    You can try removing the stalk and cut them in half to see if they are look ok. Sometimes they still are and you could give the stalks a try.

    What About Broccolini?

    If we are talking about broccolini, it often has a bit of yellow on the buds. This type of broccoli is sweeter to start with, so it's better balances out any bitterness.

    Not Comfortable? Toss It!

    Always do what you are comfortable with doing. If you don't feel comfortable eating the even the stalks once the florets turn yellow, then toss them or throw them into your compost - as long the broccoli isn't full of mold.

    Why Does Broccoli Turn Yellow?

    As broccoli ages the florets turn yellow due to the break down of chlorophyll - the pigment that gives broccoli and other plants their green color. Same thing happens every fall when the leaves in the trees begin changing color.

    Some vegetables will rot before the chlorophyll breaks down. I have never seen asparagus go bad by turning yellow. Salad greens for sure turn yellow.

    « Tommyknocker Strawberry Creme
    FAQ : What is the Difference Between Rainier & Queen Anne Cherries? »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nice to Meet You,

    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

    ☘️ Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

    Categories

    Top Posts & Pages

    Episode 096 - Why Is It "Corned" Beef?
    ALDI Corned Beef Price & Meal Plan
    Episode 095 - How to Do Corned Beef in the Instant Pot
    Episode 091 - Best Beef for Corned Beef

    Recent Posts

    • Episode 096 - Why Is It "Corned" Beef?
    • ALDI Corned Beef Price & Meal Plan
    • Episode 095 - How to Do Corned Beef in the Instant Pot
    • Episode 091 - Best Beef for Corned Beef
    • Episode 090 - Best Fruit to Buy in March

    Reduce Food Waste in Your House

    Copyright © 2023 Eat Like No One Else on the Foodie Pro Theme