28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (2024)

Whether you're looking for a hearty side dish or want to quickly roast some florets you have on hand, these broccoli recipes have got you covered. For a main course, try chef Greg Vernick's roasted broccoli steaks, served with tapenade and a homemade tomato butter. Or, try a broccoli-forward soup; F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple's version, topped with crispy broccoli florets and croutons, is especially satisfying. Read on for these and even more broccoli recipe ideas.

01of 28

Caramelized Broccoli with Garlic

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (1)

Here, chef David Gingrass slowly caramelizes broccoli to bring out its sweetness, then enlivens it with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of crushed red pepper. The resulting broccoli is tender, flavorful, and makes an easy side dish.

Get the Recipe

02of 28

Roast Chicken with Chile-Basil Vinaigrette, Charred Broccoli, and Potatoes

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (2)

Chef Hillary Sterling's epic chicken gets its juiciness and deep flavor from brining, air drying, and marinating. The process is simple but does require some planning­ — start at least a day ahead. She serves the bird on a mix of charred broccoli, onions, and fingerling potatoes, fiery from the chiles and fresh from the basil, with a bright kick of red wine vinegar. Six heads of garlic mellow and sweeten after roasting, adding a caramelized flavor to the dressing and marinade.

Get the Recipe

03of 28

Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (3)

This easy roasted broccoli recipe is a great side dish for grilled or roasted meat or fish and can be served atop cooked pasta or rice. It's ready in under 45 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight cooking.

Get the Recipe

04of 28

Broccoli and Potato Soup

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (4)

The bright green broccoli florets floating on top of this hearty soup make it especially eye-catching, but it's the broccoli stems that do the real work. They're cooked with the potatoes and then pureed to form a creamy base. A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese gives the soup an extra savory touch.

Get the Recipe

05of 28

Roasted Broccoli Steaks with Tomato Butter and Tapenade

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (5)

At his Philadelphia restaurant, chef Greg Vernick treats broccoli like a steak, roasting it at a high temperature on a preheated pan to achieve a lightly charred crust. Cooked on the same pan, umami-packed tomatoes blend up into a super-quick sauce enriched with just the right amount of butter.

Get the Recipe

06of 28

Aïoli-Glazed Charred Broccoli

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (6)

For this speedy recipe, aïoli-coated florets get gorgeously bubbly and browned on a grill or under the broiler, almost like instant broccoli casserole. Chef Helene Henderson says to serve the broccoli piping hot.

Get the Recipe

07of 28

Flash-Roasted Broccoli with Spicy Crumbs

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (7)

The genius idea here is to pulse sliced pepperoni with breadcrumbs, then use Dijon mustard to adhere the mixture to broccoli. It's a simple way to add lots of extra flavor and a great crunch to the dish.

08of 28

Meyer's Lemony Broccoli and Chickpea Rigatoni

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (8)

Chef Marc Meyer's book Brunch offers outrageously good recipes from his first Manhattan restaurant, Five Points. This quick and hearty pasta with chickpeas in a piquant lemon-Parmesan cheese sauce epitomizes his unfussy, ingredient-centric style.

Get the Recipe

09of 28

Roasted Sheet Pan Broccoli with Pickled Pepper Vinaigrette

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (9)

Tossing broccoli pieces with oil, salt, and pimentón (Spanish paprika), then roasting them on a preheated baking sheet in a super-hot oven coaxes out the vegetable's sweet side as the florets crisp and the stems turn meaty and tender. A punchy pickled pepper vinaigrette and shavings of Parmesan cheese transform the roasted broccoli into a satisfying and substantial side dish, delicious spooned over steamed whole grains or served alongside a juicy steak.

Get the Recipe

10of 28

Sicilian Scacciata

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (10)

Scacciata is a sought-after Sicilian street food featuring a light and crispy bread dough stuffed with a variety of fillings. Cookbook author Valeria Messina fills this winter version with gooey provolone cheese, tender broccoli florets, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives.

Get the Recipe

11of 28

Shaved Broccoli and Fennel Salad with Goat Cheese

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (11)

The combination of creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and thin, crunchy vegetables with rich olive oil, lemon, and a little salt is irresistible. If you have a mandoline, it's great to use here.

Get the Recipe

12of 28

Broccoli, Shiitake, and Red Onion Roast

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (12)

In this sheet pan recipe, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, and red onions cook together in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe

13of 28

Charred Broccoli with Black Garlic Vinaigrette

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (13)

Crisp-tender charred broccoli is tossed with a thick, umami-rich vinaigrette and sprinkled with salty feta and sunflower seeds. Black garlic cloves give the dressing a sweet, tangy, balsamic-like flavor that pairs well with the earthiness of the dried shiitake mushrooms.

Get the Recipe

14of 28

Broccoli Mac and Cheese

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (14)

Tossing vegetables with mac and cheese is the easiest way to get your family’s broccoli haters to scarf down their veggies.

15of 28

Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli with Cranberry Agrodolce

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (15)

A quick, high-temperature oven roast on a baking sheet yields crispy, golden brown brussels sprouts and almost-charred, smoky broccoli. Tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce studded with tart cranberries, Fresno chiles, and shallots, the vegetables become an easy, elegant side dish.

Get the Recipe

16of 28

Orecchiette with Broccoli and Tomatoes

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (16)

Balsamic vinegar adds a hint of sweetness to this savory sauce tossed with broccoli and pasta.

Get the Recipe

17of 28

Broccoli and Wild Mushroom Casserole

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (17)

Photographer and Alabamian Robert Rausch grew up eating vegetable casseroles — he and his mother are both vegetarians. The broccoli casserole his family ate is a step up from the standard church cookbook recipe, which calls for using canned mushroom soup: In place of that, he uses wild mushrooms. He still relies on Ritz crackers, though, for the crispy, buttery topping.

Get the Recipe

18of 28

Grilled Broccoli with Chipotle-Lime Butter and Queso Fresco

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (18)

If you've never tried grilling broccoli, you are definitely missing out: The vegetable becomes tender and deliciously charred. Tossing the broccoli with butter flavored with lime zest, honey, and smoky chipotle Tabasco makes it luscious.

Get the Recipe

19of 28

Warm Broccoli and Barley Pilaf

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (19)

People tend to cook barley more in the winter than in the summer. But once it's been toasted in a saucepan with some butter and boiled (only 20 minutes), barley is a terrific showcase for super fresh vegetables, like the broccoli we use here.

Get the Recipe

20of 28

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole with Sausage

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (20)

This easy gluten-free broccoli and rice casserole is a one-dish meal that's just right for a chilly night.

Get the Recipe

21of 28

Baked Broccoli Ravioli

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (21)

Chef Bill Telepan's fresh free-form ravioli are filled with broccoli and cheese, then boiled and baked until crisp at the edges.

Get the Recipe

22of 28

Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Pine Nuts

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (22)

This weeknight recipe comes together in just three steps and boasts a lot of flavor from the toasted pine nuts and lemon dressing.

Get the Recipe

23of 28

Charred Broccoli with Blue Cheese Dressing and Spiced Crispies

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (23)

Chicago chef Stephanie Izard amps up broccoli with a punchy vinaigrette, creamy blue cheese dressing, and an irresistibly crunchy, butter-toasted Rice Krispies topping.

Get the Recipe

24of 28

Broccoli with Preserved Lemon Yogurt

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (24)

To make broccoli special, chef Laurent Tourondel cuts it into steaks and roasts it in the oven, then serves it with a cool and tangy yogurt sauce.

Get the Recipe

25of 28

Broccoli-Spinach Soup with Crispy Broccoli Florets and Croutons

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (25)

Given this soup's supremely silky texture, you'll think it's made with cream, but that texture actually comes from a potato pureed into the broth. For contrast, Justin Chapple tops the soup with crispy broccoli florets and croutons.

Get the Recipe

26of 28

Roasted Broccoli with Broccoli Stem Vinaigrette

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (26)

Roasting broccoli gives it a wonderful sweetness and crunch, making it a welcome side dish to any meal. Add in garlic and the spicy heat of crushed red pepper, and you've got a dish that will make even the biggest broccoli skeptic ask for seconds. The stems need not go to waste — they're just as delicious as the other parts of the broccoli. "This is a stem-to-floret dish," notes TV personality Alex Guarnaschelli.

Get the Recipe

27of 28

Fried Broccoli

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (27)

Based on a tempura batter from Seattle chef Edouardo Jordan, a 2016 F&W Best New Chef, the coating for this fantastic fried broccoli gets its whisper-thin crunch from cold sparkling water and baking powder. Enjoy the broccoli with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Get the Recipe

28of 28

Roasted Garlic-Parmigiano Broccoli

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (28)

This roasted broccoli recipe requires just seven ingredients: unsalted butter, garlic cloves, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, freshly ground pepper, broccoli, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Get the Recipe

28 Tasty Broccoli Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

What makes broccoli taste good? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

What is the most popular way to eat broccoli? ›

This tried-and-true method of cooking broccoli is one of the most popular. Steaming gives you bright, crisp-tender broccoli that you can eat as a side dish or use in pasta, salads, and casseroles. Just be careful not to overcook it.

What is the best cooking method for broccoli? ›

Steaming broccoli is quick and easy, and it's considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare the vegetable. Instead of submerging the florets and stem into boiling water or roasting them in the oven, the broccoli is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water and covered with a lid.

Can you perk up broccoli? ›

A quick soak in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes is often enough to reinvigorate wilted veggies. Bendy carrots will straighten right up, lettuce will crisp, and limp broccoli will find its strength again.

Why does restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? As with everything made by chefs, they have unexpected (read: unhealthy) additions to their meals — mostly butter, oil and heaps of salt. An excellent tip for the perfect broccoli is the blanching step.

What seasoning is good for broccoli? ›

It's definitely hard to find a spice or herb that doesn't work with broccoli or broccolini. Any combination of garlic, salt, pepper and any classic herbs, (basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon, thyme, etc.,) is a surefire way to treat these veggies right.

Why not to eat broccoli everyday? ›

Broccoli contains isothiocyanates which are goitrogens and can alter iodine uptake, functioning of thyroid gland and can cause hypothyroidism. In some people it may cause headaches, nasal congestion, wheezing and skin rashes.

What country eats the most broccoli? ›

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of cauliflower and broccoli consumption in 2019 were China (11M tonnes), India (9.2M tonnes) and the U.S. (1.2M tonnes), with a combined 78% share of global consumption. These countries were followed by Mexico, which accounted for a further 1.9%.

Why don't we eat broccoli stalks? ›

A: You definitely can, and should! Broccoli stems are full of fibre and nutrients. I usually take off the outer 'rind' as this can be a bit stringy, then slice the stalk thinly and add it to my dishes just like that. Broccoli stalk is great in stir-fries, curries, pasta – wherever you use the rest of your broccoli.

Is it better to boil or bake broccoli? ›

In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking. All cooking treatments, except steaming, caused great losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C. Only boiling and stir-frying/boiling caused the loss of total carotenoids.

What to put on top of broccoli? ›

Make Spicy: I love adding a pinch of chili flakes or drizzle of chili oil. Add Citrus: In addition to (or in place of) the lemon juice, sautéed broccoli is also delicious topped with orange zest or lime zest.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking? ›

Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander. Rinse the vinegar-treated broccoli very well under running water.

What does broccoli do to the colon? ›

Promotes Healthy Digestion and Reduced Constipation

Eating fiber- and antioxidant-rich foods like broccoli may play a role in maintaining healthy gut function ( 26 , 27 , 28 ). A study in mice on a broccoli diet found reduced levels of inflammation in the colon, as well as favorable changes in gut bacteria ( 29 ).

Why do I feel better after eating broccoli? ›

A two-week study found that participants who consumed 400mg of vitamin C daily (a single serving of broccoli contains about 132mg) experienced improved muscle function and decreased muscle soreness following exercise. The vitamin C in broccoli is important for growing and repairing tissue all over the body.

How to make broccoli taste good without making it unhealthy? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli

Lightly sauteed with garlic and a splash of water. It's that simple. Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys.

How to get a picky eater to eat broccoli? ›

If your child is hesitant at first glance, try serving a micro portion of broccoli. A micro portion is a very small portion, about the size of a small sample or even smaller. Micro portions can make a nervous or selective child feel more comfortable around a new food.

Is broccoli an acquired taste? ›

Any food preference that doesn't appeal to our most basic, ingrained desires has been acquired. That means broccoli, hot sauce, beer, pickles, ginger, dark chocolate, miso, and yogurt are all acquired tastes.

What is the chemical taste in broccoli? ›

The pungent taste associated with broccoli has been related to the presence of glucosinolates, a complex family of molecules derived from some amino acids.

What to put on broccoli to make it taste better reddit? ›

Add lemon juice, a bit of olive oil, salt, lemon pepper, and fresh raw garlic to a bowl - stir it up and toss with steamed or roasted broccoli. Put some cheese on it, grill it in the microwave, then put some chili powder (like Tajín), or lemon juice and a little bit of salt and voilá, it tastes really good.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6264

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.