How to Cook Broccoli

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!

Broccoli- you either love it or you hate it. Personally I love it, as it's one of my favorite vegetables to prep ahead. Not only can it keep well raw, but it can keep well after cooking as well!

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!

Equipment & Tools

• good quality Chef’s Knife
• non stick skillet
• 12 inch lid
• sturdy sheet pans
• 6 cup meal prep container

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.

1. Wash the broccoli and shake dry.
2. Cut in half, working with any grooves in the stem.
3. Cut the halves into smaller chunks, and then work with the natural forks in the stems to cut them even smaller.
4. Aim for 1- ½ inch florets, or whatever size would be easy for you to eat.

Roasted 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!

1. Here's how to cook broccoli in the oven:

1. Toss broccoli florets in olive oil.
2. Roast at 425°F for 20-30 minutes (will depend on the size of your florets), stirring up halfway through.
3. The roasted broccoli is done when you see little brown bits and it is soft in the middle.

Stove top broccoli

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.

2. How to sautee broccoli

1. Heat butter or olive oil in a nonstick pan
2. Add broccoli, season with salt & pepper, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly browned.

 

3. How to steam broccoli (note, if you have a steamer basket this is a great way to do it!)

1. Heat ½ inch water in a pan or pot.
2. Add broccoli, cover and steam for 3-5 minutes, until bright green and soft in the middle.

Grilled broccoli

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!

4. How to grill broccoli:

1. Heat grill over medium heat (350°F)
2. Toss broccoli in olive oil, and season with salt & pepper.
3. 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 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.

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