This post shows you how to cook broccoli with step by step photos. With 4 different methods to cook it, how to store it for meal prep, and tons of recipes you can use it in!
Time for another cooking basics posts...are you enjoying these? I love tackling individual ingredients, showing all the different ways you can cook them, and how to store them for meal prep. Last week we discussed How to Cook Sweet Potatoes, and this week, we're tackling how to cook broccoli!
If you’ve ever ended up with broccoli that was mushy, bland or just plain boring, you’re not alone. I’ve tested every method from microwaving to roasting and my science and nutrition background has helped me figure out why certain methods work better than others.
The result is a handful of simple techniques that guarantee crisp, flavorful broccoli you will actually want to eat.
Wondering why you should be eating more broccoli?
- It's an excellent source of Vitamins C, K, and the B Vitamins as well
- It is enriched in potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron
- It provides fiber and folate, and is low in calories and carbohydrates
Are you ready to learn all the ways you can cook it?
Psst! Wondering how to cook broccolini? Check out that post here!
This post covers a lot!
Click any link below to jump right to that section of the post.
Equipment & Tools
How to cut broccoli
Broccoli can be purchased with long stems or as crowns (with the stems chopped off). It is perfectly fine to eat the stems, and I rarely remove them! In these photos, I'm chopping crowns, so the stems are very short.
- Wash the broccoli and shake dry.
- Cut in half, working with any grooves in the stem.
- Cut the halves into smaller chunks, and then work with the natural forks in the stems to cut them even smaller.
- Aim for 1- ½ inch florets, or whatever size would be easy for you to eat.
How to Roast Fresh Broccoli
Roasted broccoli is so delicious! As it roasts, the flavor concentrates and the natural sugars caramelize. You want your roasted broccoli to get those little crispy brown bits!
Here's how to cook broccoli in the oven:
- Toss broccoli florets in olive oil.
- Roast at 425°F for 20-30 minutes (will depend on the size of your florets), stirring up halfway through.
- The roasted broccoli is done when you see little brown bits and it is soft in the middle.
How to add flavor to roasted broccoli
- sprinkle with parmesan
- squeeze with citrus (lemon is particularly good)
- add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the olive oil when tossing it up
- toss with one of these 7 Spice Rubs (the Lemon Herb Seasoning or Greek Seasoning are great!)
How to Cook Fresh Broccoli on Stove Top
There are two main ways I cook broccoli on the stove: sauteed and steamed. Both of these are great options over boiling it, as they preserve the nutrients rather than allow them to leak out.
How to sautee broccoli
- Heat butter or olive oil in a nonstick pan
- Add broccoli, season with salt & pepper, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly browned.
How to add flavor to sauteed broccoli
- toss your sauteed broccoli in brown butter and sprinkled with almonds
- add some lemon wheels to the pan as it cooks
- drizzle with this 2-ingredient balsamic reduction
How to steam broccoli (note, if you have a steamer basket this is a great way to do it!)
- Heat ½ inch water in a pan or pot.
- Add broccoli, cover and steam for 3-5 minutes, until bright green and soft in the middle.
How to add flavor to steamed broccoli
- sprinkle parmesan or feta cheese
- add garlic to the steaming liquid
How to Make Broccoli on the Grill
Another great option when you don't want to turn on your oven is to grill broccoli. Not only does it cook through quickly, but clean up is a breeze too!
How to grill broccoli:
- Heat grill over medium heat (350°F)
- Toss broccoli in olive oil, and season with salt & pepper.
- Add broccoli to a vegetable grilling plate and grill for 7-10 minutes, or until lightly charred and cooked through.
Find full directions plus more tips in this Grilled Broccoli with Lemon & Parmesan post!
How to add flavor to grilled broccoli
- toss in one of these 7 Spice Blends (fajita + a squeeze of lime would be SO good!)
- follow directions in this Grilled Broccoli with Lemon & Parmesan post
How to store broccoli for 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.
Here are some do's and don'ts for meal prepping with it:
- don't- freeze it raw. It turns bitter and brown. You must blanche it before freezing- find full directions on how to freeze broccoli here! For this reason I don't include it in my crockpot freezer meals unless it's added fresh or purchased frozen.
- do- freeze it cooked- whether roasted, steamed or sauteed, cooked broccoli freezes well and I often include it in my freezer lunch recipes.
- do- pre-chop it raw and store in the fridge. If you keep it dry, it will keep for a week or more!
- do- include cooked broccoli in your meal prep lunches in the fridge. Does it smell amazing on day four? No. But the nutritional value is there and it still tastes great.
Cooking Fresh Broccoli FAQs
Cooked broccoli will last 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
I suggest steaming broccoli for 3-5 minutes instead of boiling to retain the most nutritional value. However, if you want to boil the broccoli you can place a complete, uncut head of broccoli floret side down in a pot of boiling water for 5-7 minutes until tender. Remember, the cooking time will vary based on how large the head of broccoli is.
It really depends on your goal. Steaming preserves a lot of the vitamins and nutrients and keeps it nice and crisp. Roasting brings out a deeper, more caramelized flavor. It is my personal favorite. Sautéing gives you something in between steaming and roasting. It is a quick method that provides a tender texture with crisp edges.
Yes, it does preserve nutrients slightly better than steaming since it cooks the broccoli quickly.
Both options work. Washing the broccoli before cutting can be much quicker.
Recipe favorites
Here are some of my favorite recipes on the blog!
- Lightened up Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Sweet Potato Broccoli Chickpea Meal Prep Bowls
- Roasted Veggie Meal Prep Bowls with Turmeric Tahini Sauce
- Slow Cooker Broccoli, Turmeric Ginger Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Breakfast Quesadillas
- Almond Broccoli Pesto
- Sweet Chili Salmon, Broccoli & Quinoa Bowls
- Leftover Turkey Detox Soup
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Cooking Fresh Broccoli (On Stove top, Grill, or in Oven)
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- butter or olive oil
- salt & pepper
Instructions
Roasted Broccoli
- Heat oven to 425°F.
- Toss broccoli florets in ½ tablespoon olive oil and season with salt & pepper.
- Roast for 20-30 minutes (will depend on the size of your florets), stirring up halfway through.
- The roasted broccoli is done when you see little brown bits and it is soft in the middle.
- Serve as is, or sprinkle with lemon juice, parmesan cheese or a sauce.
Sautéed Broccoli
- Heat ½ tablespoon butter or olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat.
- Add broccoli, season with salt & pepper, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly browned.
- Serve as is, or sprinkle with almond slices, parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
Steamed Broccoli
- Heat ½ inch water in a pan or pot. If you have a steamer insert, add this over the water.
- Add broccoli, cover and steam for 3-5 minutes, until bright green and soft in the middle.
Grilled Broccoli
- Heat grill over medium heat (350°F).
- Toss broccoli in olive oil, and season with salt & pepper.
- Add broccoli to a vegetable grilling plate and grill for 7-10 minutes, or until lightly charred and cooked through.
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Hi, I'm Annie. With a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor in nutrition and nearly 20 year of both classical training, and self-taught experience, I've spent my career proving that home cooking can be practical, delicious and inspiring. What started in 2013 as one food blog has grown into a full-time business. Today, my husband Clayton and I run five food websites that connect with millions of home cooks every month.
When I'm not in the kitchen or behind the camera, I'm using fueling my love of travel, or chasing down new ideas that keep food fun and fresh.
Pat says
How to cook salmon & asparagus in 8 qt total duel ninja air fryer . Each basket is 4 qt. Best seasoning & time for both
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Pat, you can find directions for air fryer salmon and air fryer broccoli in the blog posts linked here. I hope this helps! 🙂
Yorddi says
Thank you so much this helps a lot am like on a new love of broccoli these days and you helped a lot. Thanks.
Denise says
So happy to hear this post was helpful to you!
Ariell says
Very helpful for a beginner cook.
Denise says
So happy to hear this, Ariell!
Des says
Can you prepare frozen broccoli the same way? Would you have to pre cook it?
Denise says
Hi Des! You do need to blanche broccoli before freezing. I actually have a post on that here: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/how-to-freeze-broccoli/