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.

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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

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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

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

How to prepare broccoli for people who don t like broccoli? ›

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.

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.

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!

Why do people eat broccoli in meal prep? ›

I love meal prepping with broccoli because you can pre chop it and it keeps amazingly well! You can also pre-cook and store in the fridge or freezer. Because it is fairly firm, it can freeze/thaw well after cooking.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

What makes broccoli taste better? ›

Add lemon juice, a bit of olive oil, salt, lemon pepper, and fresh raw garlic to a bowl - stir it up and toss with steamed or roasted broccoli. Put some cheese on it, grill it in the microwave, then put some chili powder (like Tajín), or lemon juice and a little bit of salt and voilá, it tastes really good.

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.

Is it good to eat broccoli every day? ›

Introducing broccoli into your daily dietary routine can yield various health benefits. Its fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contribute to improved digestion, bone health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

How does broccoli detox your body? ›

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are known to be excellent sources of sulforaphane, a phytochemical (plant chemical) researchers have theorized can detoxify carcinogens, including those found in tobacco smoke.

Is it healthier to boil or bake 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.

How do you 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.

What 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 happens when you start eating broccoli? ›

Regularly consuming broccoli can significantly boost your nutrient intake. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. Additionally, it also contains iron and calcium, making it a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

What are 3 ways you can eat broccoli? ›

  • Broccoli Stir-Fry. Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that are preserved when it's cooked quickly, rather than boiled for a long time. ...
  • Broccoli Soup. ...
  • Chopped Salad. ...
  • Roasted Broccoli. ...
  • Broccoli Crudité ...
  • Broccoli Sprouts. ...
  • Steamed Broccoli.
Aug 9, 2022

Why do athletes eat so much broccoli? ›

“Broccoli always features on my suggestions for athletes. This green vegetable is packed with goodness including folic acid, magnesium, B vitamins and Vitamin K which is great for the bones. Broccoli also aids detoxification.”

How do you get a picky eater to eat broccoli? ›

If your child is hesitant at first glance, try serving a micro portion of broccoli. A micro portion is a very small portion, about the size of a small sample or even smaller. Micro portions can make a nervous or selective child feel more comfortable around a new food.

How do you neutralize the taste of broccoli? ›

Blanching broccoli in a large pot of salt water releases bitter acids from the plant cells and rinses them away, an action that steaming doesn't provide because of the low level of water involved. Additional measures for neutralizing broccoli's bitterness include tossing it with salt and citrus sauce.

Why can't I tolerate broccoli? ›

Salicylate allergy. Symptoms of a broccoli allergy usually mean that you're sensitive to salicylates, which is a natural chemical that can be found in plants like broccoli. Some people may be sensitive to even small amounts of salicylates.

What vegetables can you eat if you don't like broccoli? ›

As per kale, cooked leafy greens like spinach, collards and chard (silverbeet) can sub in beautifully when using broccoli as a side.

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