Get more superfoods on your plate with this fast and delicious Steamed Broccoli Recipe.
How often did you hear “Eat your broccoli” while growing up? Turns out, Mom was onto something. Broccoli, like other cruciferous vegetables, is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While I was growing up, my mother too had a particular fondness for broccoli. She incorporated it into hearty soups, dips, and casseroles, and often served it as a simple side dish. For the latter, steaming was her cooking method of choice—and for good reason.
Steaming is not only simple, but also incredibly healthy. Many nutrients are lost when vegetables are overcooked or prepared improperly. The key is to steam broccoli until it’s just tender, making sure it maintains a crisp bite. If your aim is to preserve its nutrients and flavor, mushy broccoli is most certainly not the way to go.
This steamed broccoli recipe is a favorite for its versatility. Mastering the steaming technique is essential, but after that, the seasoning is up to you. While this straightforward recipe lists olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper as optional seasonings, you can customize it to suit your tastes and whatever spices you have on hand.
Is Steamed Broccoli Healthy?
Steamed broccoli is incredibly healthy. Broccoli is considered a superfood thanks to its abundant antioxidant supply. It also contains fiber along with essential minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. Steamed broccoli is an easy side dish suitable for nearly every diet, including vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, and keto. Olive oil, which is a heart-healthy fat, is optional in this recipe, as is salt.
Jazzing Up A Simple Side Dish
While there’s nothing wrong with simplicity, there are plenty of ways to elevate your side of steamed broccoli. For a rich, savory twist, toss the hot broccoli with garlic butter and dried Italian seasoning. Finish with a grating of Parmesan and a scattering of toasted pine nuts. If you’re in the mood for something zesty and spicy, serve your broccoli with peppery olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha. For more umami flavors, combine soy sauce, miso paste, and sesame oil. Drizzle over the broccoli and finish with toasted sesame seeds. Have some pesto on hand? Stir it through the broccoli along with a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
How To Make Ahead And Store
If making broccoli ahead and storing it for future use, place the steamed broccoli in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If freezing steamed broccoli, place the cooked broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet, then put it in the freezer for 1 hour until frozen. Next, transfer the frozen pieces to a Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed broccoli is an amazing side dish that complements many meals. Consider serving it alongside Instant-Pot Steak and Scalloped Potatoes, or pair it with Air-Fryer Boneless Pork Chops and applesauce. Another great idea is to serve it atop a bowl of Cilantro-Lime Rice with some Easy Sautéed Shrimp for protein.
At lunchtime, steamed broccoli can be added to these wholesome Honey-Lime Chicken And Nourish Bowls or a Quinoa Chickpea Salad.
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- Olive oil optional
- Lemon juice optional
- Salt optional
- Pepper optional
Instructions
- Fill a pot with 1 inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Ensure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
- Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat, then add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket.
- Cover the pot with a lid and allow the broccoli to steam for about 5 minutes, or until it is just tender.
- Once steamed, transfer the broccoli to a serving dish and, if desired, season with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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