How to Make Steamed Broccoli

This steamed broccoli recipe is fast, easy, and delicious! It’s made with tender steamed broccoli, olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest. It’s healthy, vegan, and gluten-free, and it can be made in 15 minutes! Watch the video.

this recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Steamed Broccoli!

It really doesn’t get any easier than this. Or healthier. Or tastier! This easy steamed broccoli recipe is one of the simplest side dishes you can make, but with the right technique and seasoning, it becomes something you’ll actually crave. This version, made with garlic, lemon zest, and chili flakes, is tender, flavorful, and on constant repeat at our house. Even your kids will love it!

As a chef and recipe developer, I lean on steaming not only because it saves time (just 5 minutes of cooking!), but also because it preserves more of broccoli’s nutrients and bright green color compared to boiling. Steaming ensures the florets stay tender-crisp instead of waterlogged, and it keeps their flavor vibrant. No preheating the oven and ready in just a few minutes-on busy nights, this is a godsend! 

Kids often prefer softer steamed broccoli. My husband will eat steamed broccoli with a pat of butter and salt every day of the week. We do have an amazing roasted broccoli recipe, which is equally good but takes longer.

One of my favorite tips is not to toss the stems! They’re full of fiber and polyphenols. Just slice them thinly and steam them along with the florets for extra texture and nutrition. With a quick zest of lemon and a sprinkle of chili flakes, this humble vegetable turns into a beautiful, healthy side dish you’ll want to serve again and again.

Easy Broccoli recipe | 60-sec video

Best Steamed Broccoli Ingredients

• Broccoli: Buy florets or whole broccoli, stems and all. Don’t toss those stems, slice them up small!
• Extra virgin olive oil: Add delicious richness and polyphenols!
• A fresh lemon: You’ll use the lemon zest and a little lemon juice if you like!
• Garlic: To add a little punchy flavor. Or sub granulated garlic.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes
• To elevate: A drizzle of truffle oil-optional, but yummy. This is my favorite way to season broccoli!

Broccoli Variations

• Add cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan or pecorino cheese.
• Use different spices! Sprinkle a little cajun spice, za’atar spice, or even something as simple as taco seasoning or smoked paprika!
• Toss with an Asian marinade. Try our teriyaki sauce, Szechuan sauce, or even our ponzu dressing.
• Drizzle with truffle oil. Elegant and delicious, taking your broccoli to the next level!

How to Make Steamed Broccoli

1. Prep. Cut or break broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Try to make them the same size so they steam evenly.

Tip: Don’t toss the stems! Slice them very thinly.

2. Steam. Place a steamer basket over a half-inch of water in a medium pot. I like to place the stems on the bottom.

Place broccoli in the basket, cover the pot, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, check at 4-5 minutes, and continue cooking until the broccoli is fork-tender.

3. Season! You can serve it with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of granulated garlic, salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice and lemon zest. Or continue with the recipe below, which takes about 5 more minutes.

How to Elevate Your Broccoli

4. Sauté. While broccoli is steaming, sauté chopped garlic in a skillet with olive oil and optional chili flakes.

Add lemon zest and turn off the heat.

5. Combine. Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet and toss to combine, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.

Taste for salt and pepper, and add more to the pan if needed. Doesn’t this look delicious? It is! This easy broccoli recipe is cooked in 15 minutes flat!

Chef’s Tips

• Choose the best broccoli. Look for firm stalks, tightly packed florets, and a deep green color. Avoid yellowing heads.
• Cut evenly. Slice florets into similar sizes so they cook at the same rate.
• Steam just right. For tender-crisp broccoli, steam 4-5 minutes, then test with a fork. For softer broccoli (often a hit with kids), give it 6-7 minutes.
• Keep it vibrant green. Don’t overcook the broccoli-this dulls its color and flavor. For ultra-bright broccoli, plunge it briefly in ice water after steaming.
• Flavor balance. If bland, add more salt and acid (lemon juice). If it’s too sharp, drizzle in a little more olive oil for richness.

Storing Cooked Broccoli

Leftovers will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove in a saucepan with a little oil or warm gently in the microwave-but not for too long, or it will get too soft!

What to serve with Broccoli!

I love serving it with jasmine rice and crispy tofu (or blackened salmon) for a quick, healthy dinner. Here are some other ideas…

• Salmon with Braised French Lentils
• Chicken Piccata
• Chicken Provençal
• Over Cacio e Pepe  or Lemon Pasta
• Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
• Add to Buddha Bowls!
• Serve over baked beans, like our Baked Beans with Butternut Sauce

 broccoli Benefits

• Studies at Johns Hopkins University show that broccoli is an incredible antioxidant. It truly is a superfood. In fact, it is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies available!
• Research is showing that broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables) may actually help us mend damaged DNA and reverse our age, and even prevent cancer.
• The reason for this is that broccoli includes a magic compound called sulforaphane.

So, kids, eat your broccoli. 😉

xoxo

Sylvia

More broccoli recipes you may like:

Broccoli Dishes

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake

Broccoli Soup

Broccoli Quinoa Cakes

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad

• Roasted Broccoli Salad
• Vegan Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
• Thai Broccoli Soup with Coconut Milk
• Pasta with Broccolini, Preserved Lemon and Chickpeas
• Broccoli Manicotti with Burrata

If you enjoy this recipe try another vegetable dish, like our Easy Sautéed Zucchini!

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