If I had to choose one vegetable to eat every day for the rest of my life, I'd have to say broccoli would rank right up there. Perhaps even as the number-one vegetable in my life. And, what's not to like? It's tasty, good for you, and easy to cook in a variety of ways.
Although I admit, once upon a time, it wasn't my favorite vegetable. Well, it was my favorite to try to sneak to the dog when no one was looking (he wouldn't eat it, either). But I just wouldn't even give it a chance. I don't know if I just inherently distrusted any healthy foods or someone told me it was gross, so I believed them without even trying it myself...who knows.
I think my longest span of not letting broccoli even touch my lips was two years. Then, one day, I'm eyeing my then-boyfriend's mixed veggie and shrimp stir fry and he tells me if I want to take a bite, I have to take the broccoli too. So I did, and...well, you can guess the rest!
One of my favorite ways to cook broccoli is by sauteeing it. Whether I'm cooking it up with other veggies as in a stir fry, or heating it up by itself, it's always worth it!
How do you make Sauteed Broccoli?
Sauteeing broccoli is easy and takes less than ten minutes. Here's what to do to make delicious, tender-crisp sauteed broccoli every time.
- Start by heating up your fat - olive oil, avocado oil, or butter - in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it is hot, add some flavor to the oil. This will give the broccoli more flavor to make it a special dish. In this case, I like to add minced garlic and red pepper flakes for some heat. These are optional, but they add a lot. Then just cook this until it is nice and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Other seasoning options include ginger, dried or fresh herbs, or shallots.
- Now it's time to add the broccoli. To start, cook the broccoli right in the oil until it is bright green and beginning to brown. The brown bits are the best part in my opinion. At this point, it may look like the broccoli is cooked, but the inside is likely still pretty raw and crunchy.
- To remedy that, add the water (or broth) and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp. Do not let the broccoli overcook. It shouldn't be mushy at all. You are looking for tender crisp broccoli that still has some texture and crunch.
- Now it's time for seasoning. Season with salt and pepper and then you can top with lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese as well if you like. Serve and enjoy!
Broccoli Seasoning and Recipes Ideas
- Add finely diced onions to the garlic and red pepper flake mixture to the oil.
- Finish broccoli with parmesan and capers.
- Add a few drops of sesame oil at the end for a little bit of nutty flavor.
- Or, add actual chopped almonds or pistachios to the broccoli when it's done cooking.
- Or, finish the broccoli off by sprinkling some feta or goat cheese on it. Yum.
- Want to make it a bit spicier? Add a teaspoon of chili powder with the garlic and then finish with red pepper flakes and/or hot sauce if you prefer.
What to serve with Sauteed Broccoli?
In my opinion, broccoli goes with pretty much anything. Whether it's your favorite chicken recipe, pasta, eggs, beans, or a salad - I would serve it all with a yummy side of garlicky broccoli. With that said, here are some favorite main dish ideas:
- Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon in Foil
- Easy Cajun Shrimp
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Baked Eggplant Cutlets
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Roast
More About Broccoli
By now you know broccoli is a vegetable, but did you know it's related to the cabbage? That's right, broccoli and cabbage are in the same family, along with bok choy, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale.
Broccoli resembles little, bushy trees, and mostly what people like to eat are its flowering heads (though the stalks are yummy too, when cut and cooked correctly). It can be eaten cooked or raw.
Broccoli got its roots waaaay back in the 6th century BC, and was first cultivated in the Roman Empire. It's healthy, too, full of vitamins C, A, E, and K, folic acid, fiber, protein, iron, and calcium.
How do I buy Broccoli?
Broccoli is usually sold by the crown (just the tops) or in a cluster of crowns and stalks. Sometimes there are just a few heads rubber banded together, and sometimes the whole thing is shrink-wrapped (I hate that, why do they do that?)
Regardless of how it comes to your grocery store, there are a few things you should look for when selecting which broccoli to buy and bring home with you.
- It should be bright green and firm to the touch.
- It shouldn't have any florets or branches that are bendable or hanging down when you pick it up.
- It also shouldn't be too woody or dried out at the stem, this broccoli will be hard and chewy. You'll know it's too woody if you try to bend it and it feels hard, like wood, and doesn't bend.
- Skip broccoli with yellowing florets.
- Broccoli should feel heavy for its size.
More Sauteed Vegetable Recipes
- Sauteed Cauliflower
- Sauteed Carrots
- Garlic Butter Sauteed Mushrooms
- Sauteed Snow Peas
- Sauteed Zucchini with Garlic