30 Tried-and-True Broccoli Recipes You Need in Your Life (2024)

30 Tried-and-True Broccoli Recipes You Need in Your Life (1)

We're willing to bet that you have a head of broccoli in your refrigerator's crisper drawer right now. Before you do the usual steam it or roast it, check out this fresh crop of recipes, all of which take America's go-to vegetable from default to beyond delicious.

First, a buyer's guide: This cool-season crop is at its peak from October through April, but you can find it in your supermarket year-round. At the grocery store or farmers' market, select heads with closed, tightly packed florets that are deep green (or even tinted purple) and firm stalks; the cut ends should look pale green and moist. Always store your broccoli in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, preferably in a ventilated plastic bag, for up to four days.

There are so many ways to work with that broccoli, but before you can cook it, you need to first understand the best way to cut broccoli into florets. It's really simple: discard the bottom, then trim away any small branches. Whatever you do, don't toss the stalk! Peel the tough outer layer to reveal the more tender, lighter green inner stalk. Separate the stem and the top portion. Cut the top into even florets and you'll be ready to start most broccoli recipes. Enjoy it as an unexpected pizza topping, as the most succulent part of a stir-fry, or fried into an addictive appetizer. As for the stalk? There are recipes just for it. Or slice finely and include it in your favorite broccoli sides, soups, and more.

Mark our words: When you use these broccoli recipes, the greens will be the first thing to disappear from everyone's plate—not the last.

The Right Way to Store Broccoli So It Stays Fresh Longer

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Vibrant-Green Broccoli Curry

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This soothing yet spicy bowl of vegan curry satisfies at the dinner table. Both broccoli and tofu are packed with calcium.

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Broccoli, Herb, and Pistachio "Grain" Salad

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We call this a "grain" salad because there aren't any actual grains included in the recipe. Instead, we steam broccoli and then finely chop it to create a rice-like texture. And when every bite is studded with bright and crunchy ingredients like pomegranate arils, chopped apple, and pistachios, you won't even remember that there aren't any actual grains! This dish is gluten-free and absolutely delicious.

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Quick Broccoli Frittata

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Whether for breakfast or for dinner, this frittata is a winner. You really can make it anytime: As long as you keep some frozen broccoli on hand, you're halfway there.

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Broccoli, Lemon, and Gouda Pizzas

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Make broccoli the star of a pizza pie. Lightly charred pieces mingle with caramelized lemon slices, rich melted Gouda, and a touch of nutty Parmesan.

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Roasted Broccoli with Pumpkin Seeds and Grated Pecorino

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Roasting deepens the flavor of broccoli. Served on a bed of brown rice, this simple vegetarian dish becomes a filling meal.

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Broccoli Fritto Misto

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Crank up the crunch with this delicious take on fritto misto. Florets become a fantastic starter after a dip in a light, crunchy batter. Drop in a few sage leaves and peperoncini, then fry it all until crackly and golden. Pair the finished dish with a zippy dipping sauce of vinegar, garlic, salt, and peperoncini brine, and rush the fritto misto from pot to table pronto—it's best served blow-on-it-first hot.

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Broccoli Casserole

Impossible to resist once the temperature starts to drop, this comforting casserole pairs tender broccoli with a rich cheese sauce and buttery cracker topping.

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Creamy Broccoli-and-Spinach Soup

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There's no cream in this creamy-tasting, vibrant broccoli soup. The baby spinach and buttery leeks give it color and smooth texture. A swirl of crème fraîche and store-bought pretzel nuggets top it off.

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Broccoli-Cheddar Quiche

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Bright-green broccoli florets and cheddar cheese are a combination that kids and adults can agree on at any meal.

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Classic Ranch with Broccoli Dippers

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Blanch broccoli florets to bring out their sweetness, then dunk them in a classic buttermilk ranch dip brightened with fresh herbs.

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Sausage and Broccoli with Pepperoncini Sauce

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We've updated the classic pairing of franks and beans with roasted broccoli and a bright pepperoncini sauce. Serve it over polenta tonight, then turn it into a scrumptious pizza tomorrow.

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Beef and Broccoli with Black-Bean Garlic Sauce

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Take a pass on takeout. Instead, stir-fry broccoli with tender skirt steak and bottled black-bean garlic sauce—the "treetops" soak up every silky drop.

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Black Rice and Broccoli with Almonds

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This grain salad brings together so many of our favorite ingredients: black rice, roasted broccoli, toasted almonds, fresh parsley, and scallions. A creamy roasted garlic vinaigrette ties all the flavors together beautifully.

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Broccoli-and-Potato "Samosa" Pie

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The smashed-potato filling of our Indian-inspired slab pie is studded with bits of broccoli, plus taste-bud-tingling coriander and cumin and mustard seeds.

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Baked Broccoli Custards

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Roasted broccoli is blanketed in creamy bechamel, showered with Gruyere, and baked until bubbly and golden. Try giving cauliflower or Brussels sprouts the same treatment. Better yet, make all three! Your guests will thank you.

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Roasted Broccoli with Seeds and Feta

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Flavor-bomb roasted broccoli with feta, seeds, and spices for a side that can moonlight as a meatless main.

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Broccoli Stalk Salad

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Instead of discarding broccoli stalks, transform them into a spectacular salad with the help of soy sauce, spicy sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

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Ginger-Lemongrass Broth with Noodles, Silken Tofu, and Broccoli

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This Southeast Asian soup is spicy enough to ward off the chill (or the beginnings of a cold) and delicious enough to delight for dinner any night.

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Broccoli Slaw

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Never throw out your broccoli stems again! Julienne them along with celery and green apple, then toss with mayo, mustard, and lemon juice for a sensational slaw.

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Pasta and White Beans with Broccoli Pesto

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Fast and delicious, this comforting vegetarian pasta shows off broccoli in a whole new light. Who needs basil?

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Broccoli and Chickpea Salad

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Combining chickpeas with steamed broccoli makes for a quick and delicious dish that's rich in fiber and protein and can be served as a main or a side. As it can be made up to two days in advance, it's a nice salad for a desk lunch—though we like it plenty for a fast weeknight meal over a bed of greens or in a toasted pita.

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Broccoli Gratin

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Who would ever argue about eating their vegetables when the vegetables in question are baked in a creamy sauce and topped with a cheesy, crunchy crust?

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Spicy Broccoli with Garlic

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Minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and a splash of vinegar are quick-and-easy additions to liven up steamed broccoli.

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Broccoli-Pecorino Tart

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Scatter broccoli florets and Pecorino Romano over puff pastry to concoct this savory tart. Serve it with a salad for a light dinner or cut into small squares for an extraordinary appetizer.

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Broccoli with Toasted Cashews

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Take classic broccoli to the next level by making this Asian-inspired side dish. Toss steamed broccoli in lime juice and soy sauce, then finish it with a topping of toasted chopped cashews. Enjoy it with teriyaki chicken, ribs, or our Sriracha-Glazed Chicken Wings.

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Steamed Broccoli and Squash with Tahini Sauce

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Colorful, flavorful, and healthy, this vegetarian dinner features broccoli in a starring role with delicata squash, tender greens, and red cabbage playing supporting parts. The tahini sauce brings everything together—it's also wonderful with greens, chicken, or salmon.

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Lemony Braised Broccoli

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Don't toss broccoli stalks! If you peel and thinly slice them, you can cook them the way you do florets.

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Pasta Salad with Roasted Broccoli

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This penne pasta salad has a high proportion of vegetables to make it a light and nutritious vegetarian meal. Roasting the broccoli and garlic caramelizes their natural sugars and deepens their flavor. Kalamata olives, jarred roasted red peppers, walnuts, and a lemony dressing round out the dish.

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Broccoli-Ham Calzone

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These pizza pockets make a quick and easy weeknight dinner when you start with store-bought dough. Serve with your favorite tomato sauce for dipping.

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Portobello, Broccoli, and Red-Pepper Melts

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Roasting adds a wonderful char to mushrooms, peppers, and broccoli that permeates each Gouda-blanketed bite of these open-faced sandwiches.

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30 Tried-and-True Broccoli Recipes You Need in Your Life (2024)

FAQs

What is the appropriate cooking method for broccoli and why? ›

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

How to make broccoli taste good without adding calories? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli

Lightly sauteed with garlic and a splash of water. It's that simple. Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys.

How to prepare broccoli for health? ›

Boiling will remove up to 90% of broccoli's nutrients, so prepare it a similar way, such as blanching. First, get a bowl of ice water ready next to the stove. Boil water in a pot, add salt, and cook broccoli florets for 1-1½ minutes until they're just tender. Quickly cool them in the ice water.

How to cook broccoli if you don't like it? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

Is it healthier to boil or bake broccoli? ›

In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking. All cooking treatments, except steaming, caused great losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C. Only boiling and stir-frying/boiling caused the loss of total carotenoids.

Is it better to fry or boil broccoli? ›

Steamed broccoli may be one of the healthiest ways to cook broccoli because it's quick and nutrients and vitamins won't be lost in the cooking water, as can be the case with boiled broccoli.

What seasoning is good for broccoli? ›

It's definitely hard to find a spice or herb that doesn't work with broccoli or broccolini. Any combination of garlic, salt, pepper and any classic herbs, (basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon, thyme, etc.,) is a surefire way to treat these veggies right.

Is microwaving broccoli healthy? ›

Microwaving is a safe way to cook broccoli and requires less time than steaming. Microwaving is also thought to preserve the nutrients in vegetables most effectively.

How do you cook broccoli so you don't bloat? ›

Cooking: Raw broccoli is a common component of vegetable/dip platters at parties and events, of course, but eating it raw is actually more likely to lead to gas. Instead, by steaming or microwaving it, your body will have an easier time breaking it down.

Does broccoli clean your gut? ›

Broccoli is now known to improve gut health; new research has uncovered a potential molecular mechanism to explain this protection — which is good news for broccoli lovers. Share on Pinterest Like it or loathe it, broccoli should be on your grocery list.

What is the healthiest vegetable? ›

1. Spinach. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable and a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet.

How many times a week should you eat broccoli? ›

Overall, one to two servings of broccoli per week is definitely something that we recommend as part of a healthy diet. Eating cruciferous vegetables in general and eating or drinking other 'bitter' foods every day will do you good. These bitter foods include: Olive Oil.

When not to use broccoli? ›

Smell: If the broccoli has a strong odor or an off smell, throw it out. Texture: Broccoli should have tight florets and a firm stem. If the florets are wilted, or the stem displays cracks or dryness, then it's a sign they've lost too much moisture and the broccoli is going bad.

Which cooking method is best for broccoli? ›

Steaming broccoli is quick and easy, and it's considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare the vegetable. Instead of submerging the florets and stem into boiling water or roasting them in the oven, the broccoli is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water and covered with a lid.

What is the best tasting way to eat broccoli? ›

Roasting broccoli is one of my favorite ways to prepare it! It always has so much flavor. And it makes a great side dish and can also be used warm or cold in salads. Tip: Jazz up your roasted broccoli with a squeeze of lemon juice.

What do you think is the best way to eat broccoli Why? ›

Eat it raw, with a dip or in a salad, to get the most nutrients out of it. Roast, steam, or pan-fry it for a healthy and tasty side dish or snack, or add it into recipes like pasta, stir fry, and soup.

What is the best method of cooking vegetables and why? ›

Steaming. Steaming vegetables is the best way of retaining flavour, colour and vital nutrients. Just be careful not to overcook them as this will make them limp and tasteless.

Which cooking method would help in retaining the nutrient quality of the broccoli Why? ›

Steaming. Steaming is one of the best cooking methods for preserving nutrients, including water-soluble vitamins, which are sensitive to heat and water ( 4 , 5, 6, 17 ). Researchers have found that steaming broccoli, spinach, and lettuce reduces their vitamin C content by only 9–15% (5).

How is broccoli typically prepared? ›

Broccoli is commonly eaten raw, steamed, and roasted, and is utilized in a variety of recipes; popular dishes with broccoli include soups, casseroles, stews, salads, stir-frys, and various pasta and noodle dishes.

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