It really doesn’t get any easier than this. Or healthier. Or tastier! This Steamed Broccoli Recipe with garlic, lemon zest and chili flakes is constantly repeated at our house. We never tire of it! If feeling fancy a little drizzle of truffle oil is also delicious here too- a fun way to elevate if entertaining.
Simple, clean, ingredients that are incredibly addicting and good for you. It’s a very basic recipe, I hesitate even calling a “recipe”, but here it is anyway because it really is one of the things we feast on at home, quite regularly. It goes with so many things!
If having guests over, you could fancy it up a bit, using broccolini or broccoli rabe, like we do when we cater events. But when at home, I usually stick with plain old organic broccoli- stems and all. It’s a little less expensive and I always feel more satisfaction making something tasty out of the seemingly ordinary.
Steamed Broccoli | 60-sec video
How to make Steamed Broccoli
Cut or break broccoli into bite-sized florets.
How to elevate Steamed Broccoli
Add lemon zest and turn off the heat.
When Broccoli is done steaming, add it to the skillet with the olive oil and garlic, and toss to combine, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
Taste for salt and pepper and add more if needed.
Voila! Steamed Broccoli is cooked in 15 minutes!
Serve it up! This 15-minute broccoli side dish goes with so many things!
What to serve with Steamed Broccoli
- Salmon with Braised French Lentils
- Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Provençal
- Cacio e Pepe
- Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Why we love Steamed broccoli
- Studies at John Hopkins University show that broccoli is an incredible anti-oxidant. 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 veggies) 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
More broccoli recipes you may like:
- 20+ Fresh Yummy Broccoli Recipes
- Roasted Broccoli Salad
- Creamy Broccoli Pesto Soup
- Broccoli Quinoa Cakes!
- Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Vegan Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
- Thai Broccoli Soup with Coconut Milk
- Pasta with Broccolini, Preserved Lemon and Chickpeas
- Lemony Broccoli Chicken Orzo Bake
- Broccoli Manicotti with Burrata
15-Minute Steamed Broccoli
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4
- Category: Side
- Method: steamed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This recipe for Broccoli with Garlic, Lemon Zest and Chili flakes is our “go-to” broccoli recipe -simple, yet full of amazing flavor! Vegan, healthy can be made in 15 minutes! Updated 1/2022
Ingredients
- 4-6 cups Broccoli Florets (or broccolini) 8 ounces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter or ghee)
- 4–10 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- generous pinch chili flakes (Aleppo or Urfa Biber are nice here)
- zest of one lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: truffle oil
Instructions
- Tear or cut broccoli florets into small florets, roughly the same size to ensure even doneness.
- Pour 3/4-inch water in a medium pot and place a steamer basket over top. (Water should not cover the bottom of the basket). Place broccoli in the basket and cover with a lid. Bring water to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low, and simmer covered, until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Test with a fork.
- While the broccoli is steaming, heat oil in a large skillet. Saute garlic over medium heat until fragrant, add chili flakes. When garlic is golden add lemon zest, give a stir and turn the heat off.
- Using tongs, add the steamed broccoli to the skillet, season generously with salt and pepper and give a gentle stir.
- Taste, adjust salt, pepper, chili flakes. Add a little more olive oil if you like, so broccoli is nicely coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to add a drizzle of truffle oil, to elevate this!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 96
- Sugar: 1.6 g
- Sodium: 324.6 mg
- Fat: 7.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
- Fiber: 2.6 g
- Protein: 2.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fabulous and easy recipe for broccoli or cauliflower. Love meyer lemons and garlic.
Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed Lisa!
This is a lovely recipe. It is easy and tasty. The lemon zest brings a bright note and reminds me that spring is coming (we’re in winter as I write this). Thank you for this yummy recipe!
So glad you enjoyed Linda! Yay spring- I can’t wait!💚
What brand is the flat edge wood spatula? I need one! THX
It was a gift and I don’t remember seeing a brand on it- sorry about that!
Would this taste as good if I used frozen broccoli?
It should work? It may be a softer texture.
What tool do you use for that beautiful lemon zest?
A channel knife zester, one the has the 4 little holes at the top that will create the long strands.
Love this quick, delicious recipe.
I use capers in place of the chili since my partner likes chili less than I do. The lemon makes such a difference.
Glad you enjoyed Anne!
Wow love ❤️ at first bite!
Nice to hear!
Hi Sylvia, love your recipes, great way to enjoy healthy food!
If I may make two suggestions for easier reading (I use your metric versions):
1. Replace “gramms “ with the abbreviation “g”
2. Replace “Tablespoon” with “Tbsp” and “Teaspoon “ with “tsp”.
But again, wonderful food, has earned us (you) lots of compliments.
Thanks.
Thanks so much!
I’ve made this, or some version for several years. Even with my lazy adaptations it was excellent. Today for the first time I decided to make it exactly as written, including a small drizzle of truffle oil. Oh my goodness what a game changer ! I thought the lemon zest alone made the difference but no! I used 8 very large garlic cloves along with the other ingredients. So so good. I think next time I will make it the same way but go back to my original practice of squeezing a lemon over the top right before serving. This will be on our table once a week!!!!
Great to hear Pam! I love this one too!
Lovely
So glad you enjoyed!
Sylvia,
The brussel sprout substitution was also delicious. I am a huge fan of this recipe. THANKS!
Ok, thanks Ernie! I’ll have to thry that next! Glad you are enjoying!
I love the recipe, going to substitute broccoli for brussel sprouts. Going to give it a try.
Love that idea Ernie- let us know how it turns out!
I used dried ghost pepper flakes from last years garden.
The recipie is simple and delicious.
I used a microwave steamer, 2 minutes. Put in pan and sauteed a bit. The broccoli was done perfectly.
Thanks Ernie- glad you gave this a go and appreciate the comment and rating!
Another awesome dish!!!
I love the mix of spicy chili flakes with the lemon.
So beautifully prepared and yet so easy to make.
Thanks again Sylvia 😁
Glad you enjoyed this!
I agree with other comments that it was amazing what a difference lemon zest made! I have squeezed fresh lemon juice over broccoli for years; but the sauteed garlic and lemon zest take it to another level…….not to mention the pepper flakes. Easy enough for a weeknight but tastes like a weekend date night! Thank you for this simple, fast and delectable broccoli dish. Best broccoli ever!!!
Glad you gave it a try!
Love it!
Great to hear!
Simple but very healthy dish.
This is the quickest way to prepare a WFPB dish or Vegan. Also excellent side dish.
I have this 3-4 times per week. I also squeeze some lemon juice, I find it adds to the olive oil flavour, and then dip some bread in the remaining juices. Yum
Yum Carlo! Thanks!
Thank you, Sylvia! DELICIOUS!!!!
thanks Christine- glad you enjoyed this!
This is pretty much how I’ve made my broccoli for years. However, I speed things up a bit by “steaming” wet/washed broccoli in the microwave for about 3-4 minutes before dumping it into the skillet.
Perfect Lucinda! I don’t have a microwave but using one would be much faster!
We’ve been making this for years! Very easy, healthy and delicious.
Great to hear Sandy!
Fantastic, simple so tasty. This receipe will be a standard in my repertoire, thanks so much for the inspiration.
Truffle oil is one of my favorites! Sounds great with lemon and pine nuts.
This looks so good! I cannot wait to try. I need to get a steamer but I do not think they are that expensive? I found your blog through pinterest and repinned this on my website: http://www.muffinsandmocha.com Hope that was ok! Linked it right back to you 🙂
I almost forgot that I saw this recipe a while back – I do not really like broccoli. But then I do believe in healthy food and variation so the other day I found myself in my kitch with a broccoli in my hand. I followed your instructions and … i was AMAZED! How can something as simple as lemon zest make such a difference!! Thank you for sharing!