Learn how to quickly add cooked broccoli to your favorite main dish by microwaving, roasting, boiling, steaming, and sauteing. These quick methods can even help if you are in need of a light snack.
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What’s the difference between broccoli bunch and florets?
Bunched broccoli is what you’ll see at the produce section of the grocery store as these are stalks that are bound together to form a single unit. You’ll typically need to cut off the bunched broccoli before cooking it, while the florets are mostly the bud clusters closely trimmed from the head with the stalk usually being one inch or less. Florets are typically what you’ll find bagged at the grocery store. For convenience I like using florets, but I like more of the buds than the stalk.
How to choose & prep broccoli?
For high quality broccoli you’ll want to select closed flower buds that has a bright green color. The heads should not be mushy and you’ll want to cut the stalks.
How to clean broccoli?
There are multiple ways to clean broccoli, some like to soak it in a large bowl filled with cold water. Others like to rinse the broccoli under running water. I do both, I first soak the broccoli for 3 minutes, then after I rinse the broccoli under running water.
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Olive Oil
- Water
- Garlic Powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
How to cook broccoli using the microwave?
This might be my favorite method as it’s super quick and takes less than 10 minutes to prep and cook. Once the broccoli is cleaned, and cut, you’ll place it in a microwavable bowl. Add olive oil and garlic powder ensuring to coat the broccoli evenly. From there add water to the bowl. This will act as a way to steam the vegetable. Cover the bowl before placing it in the microwave.
How to cook broccoli using the oven?
Before prepping your broccoli preheat the oven. Now you’ll essentially follow the same steps for the microwave cooking method so once you’ve cleaned and cut, you’ll place it in an oven safe container. You’ll want to drizzle olive oil, garlic powder, and salt on top, stir it in so the broccoli is evenly coated. Oven roasting the broccoli will have them come out more crispy.
How to cook broccoli using the boil method?
This method is also called blanching. Essentially once you’ve cleaned and cut your broccoli you can dunk it in a pot that has boiling water. You can even do it the other way where you have your broccoli in a colderine that can sustain high heat. As you’ll pour the boiling water on top of the broccoli. This method will leave the broccoli intact but remove that raw chew texture.
How to cook broccoli using steam?
In a pot bring your water to a boil. Place your cleaned and cut broccoli onto a steamer basket. Place the basket on top of the boiling water. This will help it cook evenly without the nutrients leaching into the water. Salt after for taste.
How to cook broccoli using the saute method?
If you have a pan with some extra marinade from something you were previously cooking it would be advantageous of you to saute your broccoli in it. Check out this filet mignon recipe that would pair well with this cooking method for your broccoli. By sauteing your broccoli you can be creative and add further ingredients to your pan. The trick to sauteing is to encourage browning the first few minutes but then add a few tablespoons of water and cover to steam.
FAQ
If your broccoli is limp, wrinkled and/or discolored especially if the buds have turned yellow or brown your broccoli is no longer fresh and should be discarded.
It’s all about the cooking time, but also the cooking method. If you roasted your broccoli but it came out mushy it means there wasn’t enough room for the broccoli to release the water it had steaming the broccoli into mushiness instead of making it crispy. Essentially mushy broccoli is a sign of it being overcooked.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with broccoli:
How to Cook Broccoli (5 Quick and Easy Methods)
Equipment
- Microwave
- Oven roasting method
- Pot boil/blanch & steam method
- Strainer
- Pan saute method
Ingredients
Microwave Broccoli
- 6 cups broccoli 1 12 ounce Bag
- ¼ cups water
- salt & pepper to taste
Roast Broccoli
- 6 cups broccoli 1 12 ounce bag
- 2-3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
Boil/Blanch Broccoli
- 6 cups broccoli 1 12 ounce bag
- 8 cups water
- salt & pepper to taste
Steam Broccoli
- 6 cups broccoli 1 12 ounce bag
- 8 cups water
- salt & pepper to taste
Saute Broccoli
- 6 cups broccoli 1 12 ounce bag
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon water
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Microwave Broccoli
- Clean & cut the broccoli.
- Place in a microwavable container that has a lid.
- Pour water over the broccoli, then place lid/cover.
- Place in microwave for 3 minutes. If needed microwave in 1 minute increments in addition to the 3 minutes.
- The broccoli should be bright green, and salt & pepper to taste.
Roast Broccoli
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Clean & cut the broccoli.
- Place in an oven safe container. Mix in olive oil, garlic powder (optional), salt and pepper. Coat the broccoli evenly.
- Roast until the stalks and crowns are lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Boil/Blanch Broccoli
- In a pot add water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Clean the broccoli. You can either cut the broccoli before cooking or after.
- Boiling method: Place the broccoli in the boiling water for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Blanching method: Place the broccoli in a strainer, and pour the boiling water onto the broccoli.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Steam Broccoli
- In a pot add water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Clean and cut the broccoli. Place the broccoli in a steamer basket, and place in the pot. Ensure that the broccoli is not submerged in the water. Cover to let the steam build.
- Cook the broccoli for 5 minutes or until bright green.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Saute Broccoli
- Clean and cut broccoli. Mix the broccoli with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a saute pan or wok over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Carefully add the broccoli and let it sit for 2 minutes before stirring so it browns.
- Add the water and cover for 2 minutes so it can quickly steam. After the 2 minutes remove cover and saute until the water has evaporated.
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