When making a casserole that calls for frozen broccoli, you may wonder if you can use fresh broccoli instead. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely substitute fresh broccoli in place of frozen broccoli in casserole recipes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making this swap.
Key Factors When Substituting Fresh for Frozen Broccoli
Here are the main considerations when substituting fresh broccoli for frozen:
- Amount – Fresh broccoli reduces in volume much more than frozen when cooked, so you’ll need more fresh broccoli by weight.
- Cook time – Fresh broccoli takes longer to become tender than frozen.
- Moisture content – Frozen broccoli releases more moisture as it cooks.
- Flavor – Fresh broccoli has a more pronounced flavor than frozen.
Let’s explore each of these factors in more detail.
Amount of Fresh Broccoli Needed
The main thing to keep in mind when substituting fresh broccoli for frozen is that you’ll need more fresh broccoli by weight. Here’s a handy conversion:
- 10 oz frozen broccoli = 4 cups
- 10 oz fresh broccoli florets = 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups
So for every 10 oz package of frozen broccoli called for, use around double the weight in fresh broccoli florets. For example, if the recipe calls for a 20 oz bag of frozen broccoli (around 8 cups), use 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds of fresh broccoli florets instead.
Adjusting Cook Time
Since fresh broccoli contains more structure than thawed frozen broccoli, it requires longer cooking to become tender. Here are some tips for adjusting cook time:
- If the recipe directs you to add frozen broccoli thawed and drain towards the end of cooking, add chopped fresh broccoli earlier in the cooking process.
- For casseroles, add the fresh broccoli 5-10 minutes before the casserole is fully cooked.
- Stirring occasionally will help evenly cook fresh broccoli.
- If needed, cover the dish and continue cooking until broccoli is fork tender.
Accounting for Moisture Content
Since frozen broccoli releases moisture as it cooks, swapping in fresh broccoli may result in a drier casserole. There are a couple ways to compensate:
- Increase any broth, sauce or soup called for in the recipe slightly.
- Stir in an extra spoonful or two of sauce after cooking if the casserole seems dry.
- Add a few tablespoons of water when assembling the casserole if it appears it will be too dry.
Flavor Differences
Fresh broccoli has a more pronounced, brighter flavor compared to frozen broccoli. Take this into account when seasoning your casserole:
- Add a bit more salt, pepper, herbs or spices to balance the stronger broccoli flavor.
- Add some lemon juice or vinegar for brightness.
- To mellow the flavor, add a creamy sauce or cheese sauce.
Step-By-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide for easily substituting fresh broccoli for frozen in any broccoli casserole recipe:
- When the recipe calls for frozen broccoli, determine the weight in ounces. For each 10 oz of frozen broccoli, you’ll need about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli florets.
- Trim the fresh broccoli into bite-size florets, chopping the stems finely if using.
- Add the fresh broccoli earlier in the recipe’s cooking process, about 5-10 minutes before the casserole is done.
- If the casserole seems dry, stir in a bit of extra sauce, broth or water.
- Season and adjust flavor as needed, adding salt, pepper, herbs or acid.
- Continue cooking, covered, until the fresh broccoli is tender when pierced with a fork.
Using this easy guide, you can confidently substitute in fresh broccoli florets for frozen broccoli called for in any casserole recipe.
Recipe Examples
To give you an idea of how to make this broccoli swap in actual recipes, here are two sample broccoli casserole recipes. The first is the original recipe with frozen broccoli. The second shows how to adapt it with fresh broccoli.
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Original Recipe with Frozen Broccoli:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb frozen broccoli florets
- 10 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Steam the frozen broccoli florets until just tender.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli and transfer to a casserole dish. Add the soup, milk and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
- Top with remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Adapted Recipe with Fresh Broccoli:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 10 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Add the fresh broccoli to the pasta during the last 4 minutes of cooking.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli and transfer to a casserole dish. Add the soup, milk and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
- Top with remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until hot, bubbly, and broccoli is tender.
Tips for Preparing Fresh Broccoli
Here are some top tips for prepping and cooking fresh broccoli to use in casseroles:
- Cutting: Cut florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Finely chop the stems.
- Blanching: Blanch in boiling water 2-3 minutes to partially cook; then drain and rinse in cold water to stop cooking.
- Roasting: Toss florets in oil, season, and roast at 400°F 15-20 minutes until caramelized.
- Steaming: Steam over boiling water 5-7 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Sauteing: Saute in olive oil over medium-high heat 3-5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fresh broccoli need to be blanched before adding to a casserole?
Blanching is an optional pre-cooking step. Blanching partially cooks the broccoli so it takes less time to finish cooking in the casserole. If time allows, blanching can help the fresh broccoli cook more evenly. But for most recipes, you can skip blanching and add the raw broccoli florets to the casserole.
Should I use the same amount of fresh broccoli as frozen?
No, you’ll need more fresh broccoli by weight. A general rule of thumb is to use double the weight in fresh broccoli florets compared to the amount of frozen broccoli called for.
Can I use broccoli stems in a casserole?
Yes, broccoli stems can be finely chopped and added to casseroles. They take a bit longer to become tender so make sure to chop them small. And add them earlier in cooking than the florets.
Should I adjust cooking time or temperature if using fresh broccoli?
It’s a good idea to slightly increase the cooking time to ensure the fresh broccoli becomes fully tender. Add the broccoli earlier in cooking and increase baking time by 5-10 minutes. The temperature can remain the same.
How can I prevent fresh broccoli from turning casseroles soggy?
Be sure to drain any excess liquid after steaming, blanching or sauteing the broccoli before adding to the casserole. Cut the florets into smaller, uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate. You can also sprinkle the broccoli lightly with flour before adding to absorb excess moisture.
Conclusion
With this guide, you can seamlessly substitute fresh broccoli into any casserole recipe that calls for frozen broccoli. The keys are to use about double the weight in fresh florets, chop them small and evenly, add them earlier in cooking, and adjust seasonings as needed. With a few simple tweaks, you can enjoy the flavor and nutrition of fresh broccoli in your favorite casserole recipes.