Broccoli is the Clark Kent of your kitchen. Often underestimated and misunderstood, it can transform into a super-ingredient when given the chance. Whether you're making a broccoli casserole, tossing steamed broccoli in garlic and lemon, or enjoying the crispy, caramelized florets of a roasted broccoli side dish, this plucky little vegetable has so much to offer. Learn more about to choose and prepare it here, and how to cook broccoli recipes that will delight the family.
Buying the Best Broccoli
Begin your broccoli journey with a good understanding of the different types available. The broccoli you're probably most familiar with is Calabrese, named for the Calabria region in Italy, but there are plenty of others.
Sprouting broccoli is more stalky with a smaller head, and it also comes in purple. There is also Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan) and its variant broccolini, which has a long, thin stalk and smaller florets. The latter has a mild, slightly sweet taste that makes it a perfect accompaniment to the smoky Italian XO sauce in this Pork & Broccolini Stir-Fry.
Tips for choosing the freshest broccoli
When you've selected your broccoli type, make sure it's fit for your table. Look for vibrant colours and tight florets. Pass over any broccoli that is yellowing or flowering, or that has a strong smell, as that normally means it's long past its prime. The same goes for limp stalks. Discard any packaged broccoli with lots of condensation inside.
Ways to Prepare Broccoli
When you get the broccoli home, give it the respect it deserves with some proper preparation. After washing broccoli many people discard the stem, considering it too tough, but that's a waste. It's perfectly usable. Trim the tough bottom part by a couple of inches, then peel it to get rid of the tough outer layer before cutting it into slices or sticks. Then, cut the head into individual florets.
How to blanch broccoli for a crisp texture
While raw broccoli is most definitely a thing, many prefer to blanch it to make its colours pop, bring out its flavour, and give it a crisp texture. Just boil it for a couple of minutes before plunging it into ice-cold water. Once cooled, it's ready to eat as-is, or to include in broccoli recipes like this tempting Easy Pasta Salad with no further cooking required.
How to Cook Broccoli
There are plenty of ways to cook this versatile vegetable, each offering their own unique taste and texture benefits.
How do I make steamed broccoli?
Steaming is a great way to cook broccoli because it retains the vegetable's nutrients. It's as simple as boiling an inch of water and placing the vegetable in a metal basket over the pot. Cover and steam for 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and crisp. For extra points, add a dash of lemon juice or vinegar to the water to enhance its flavour still further.
Boiling broccoli to perfection
If you don't have a steaming basket handy, boiling is fine. This 3-5 minute process gives you an even, tender result. You can also incorporate the boiling process directly into pasta dishes like this Peppers & Broccoli Fusilli recipe to give you vegetable-rich pasta straight out of the pot.
Sauteing
Alternatively, consider sauteing your broccoli. This fast cooking technique uses relatively little oil compared to frying, and works over high heat. Its quick cooking time retains broccoli's natural crunch.
Roasted broccoli options
Roasting the broccoli takes longer but is a great way to caramelize its natural sugars and bring out its nutty flavour while creating deliciously crisp florets. Typically, 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C) will do it. Tossing the vegetable with an appropriate seasoning first will help to enhance its flavour. Simple olive oil, salt, and pepper will do, but you can certainly get more creative.
Broccoli is great for roasting with a selection of other vegetables and meats. Swap it out for the asparagus in this Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe to see what we mean.
A little time in the oven will also yield this delightful Primavera Baguette recipe. Broccoli, bread, cheese, and sweet red onion combine perfectly with our Salad Herbs to produce a tasty, crunchy baked broccoli bite.
Microwaving broccoli for convenience
The most convenient way to get tender, hot broccoli in a snap is to microwave it. Putting it in a microwave-proof covered dish with a few tablespoons of water and microwaving it on high for 3-4 minutes will give you perfect, crunchy broccoli for your plate. Just remember to be careful of steam when removing the lid after cooking. Give it a minute or two to sit first.
Even the most picky eater will rethink this underrated veggie when presented with any of these broccoli recipes. Try them in the spring or fall when broccoli is typically in season, and get creative with your cooking options.
More broccoli recipes
Got a craving for more broccoli? We've got you covered. Check these out.
