Here’s how to cook broccoli: all the best ways! This healthy veggie is delicious when cooked perfectly, whether sauteed, steamed or roasted.
Bright green broccoli can be one of the tastiest healthy veggies out there! Many home cooks can be tempted to overcook it into a mushy mess. But cook it correctly, and it can be transcendental! Case in point: that roasted broccoli above is just as irresistible as a crispy french fry when cooked to charred perfection in a hot oven. There are some ways to cook broccoli that aren’t optimal. Here we’ve collected the 4 best ways of how to cook broccoli: roasted, sauteed, steamed and Instant Pot (pressure cooker).
How to cut broccoli
Before we get to how to cook it, how about how to cut broccoli? Some home cooks make the mistake of chopping them into very small florets, making them look stubby and a little uninspiring. Here’s how to cut the most beautiful florets! For more, go to How to Cut Broccoli.
- Keep the stems as long as possible! When you chop off the florets, slice them right the base of where the floret attaches to the main stem. Then separate them by slicing them apart right at the bottom. Doing this makes for an elegant and beautiful shape.
- Make the florets medium sized, as similar in size as possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect! But keeping the florets uniform helps them to cook through at the same rate.
How to cook broccoli: the best ways!
Roasted Broccoli
Roasting makes broccoli as irresistible as French fries! This is our favorite way to cook it if you have the time. Oven roasted broccoli comes out perfectly tender and charred, with crispy dark brown parts. It has a mild, almost sweet flavor.
Pros: Incredible flavor and comes out crispy
Cons: You have to think ahead and wait for the oven to preheat
Variations: Throw in carrots for Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, or make Roasted Frozen Broccoli
Total time: 30 minutes
Pan Fried Broccoli
Sauteed or pan fried broccoli is the fastest, most delicious way to cook it on a weeknight! Broccoli is often overcooked, leaving it soggy and without flavor. This go-to simple pan fried broccoli cooks it up so it's lightly browned but perfectly crisp tender and flavorful! It's our go-to we eat almost every day.
Pros: Quick and easy with big flavor; great for everyday use
Variation: Simple Sauteed Broccoli
Total time: 10 minutes
Quick Broccoli and Cheese
What’s more comforting than broccoli smothered in Parmesan and cheddar? Meet this perfect Broccoli and Cheese, aka Cheesy Broccoli. It has just the right nuanced flavor from the Parmesan and cheddar cheese, the best tender texture, and the perfect warming vibe. It's also a little healthier than a standard cheese sauce.
Pros: Amazing flavor, and quick and easy to make!
Cons: A little richer than the other methods, but still healthier than cheese sauce
Total time: 10 minutes
Steamed Broccoli
Steamed broccoli is super quick and simple: just don't be temped to overcook it! Steaming it for 3 to 5 minutes results in broccoli that's bright green and crisp tender. Cook even a few minutes past and it goes from bright and crisp to faded and mushy. With an olive oil drizzle and a sprinkle of feta crumbles, this humble veggie morphs into something stellar.
Pros: Fast to make, uses less oil than pan frying
Total time: 10 minutes
Grilled Broccoli
Have you tried the revelation that is grilled broccoli? This is one of our new very favorite summer side dishes. The grill transforms this tasty veggie to be crisp tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Cook it simply with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and it’s a fantastic side for any grilled dinner.
Pros: Broccoli comes out charred and smoky; a unique way to cook it!
Cons: You have to have a grill handy
Total time: 15 minutes
Instant Pot Broccoli
Want the fastest way to cook broccoli? Steaming it in the Instant Pot! Yes, this recipe has a zero minute cook time in the pressure cooker. Yes, you'll set the Instant Pot timer for 0 minutes. After about 5 minutes of “preheating” your broccoli is done! It comes out perfectly bright green and tender, much like the steaming method. Add a drizzle of olive oil and feta crumbles, and it's fantastic.
Pros: Fast and easy, and uses less oil than pan frying
Cons: Slightly less flavor than roasted or sauteed
Total time: 8 minutes
Boiled Broccoli
Did you know you can boil broccoli, too? Boiled broccoli comes out perfectly bright green and crisp tender after just 2 minutes in hot water. This is one the easiest methods of how to cook broccoli: ever! Why? There’s really no technique involved.
Pros: Fast and uses less oil than pan frying
Cons: It has a little less flavor than roasting or pan frying
Total time: 10 minutes (to boil water) + 2 minute cook time
Of course there are a few other ways to cook broccoli (microwave, etc), but these are the 4 methods that will get the best flavor every time! We promise.
Want to try more vegetables? Go to How to Cook Vegetables.
More great broccoli recipes
Want more ways to eat broccoli? Here are some of our favorites:
- In soup! Try our Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup.
- With cheese! Try the best Quick Cheesy Broccoli
- In stir fry! Try Broccoli Stir Fry.
- With shrimp! Try Shrimp and Broccoli.
- In casserole! Try Broccoli Cheese Wild Rice Casserole.
How to Cook Broccoli: Quick Guide!
(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Here’s how to cook broccoli: all the best ways! This healthy veggie is delicious when cooked perfectly, whether sauteed, steamed or roasted.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, stem on (about 3 large heads or 6 heaping cups florets)*
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into medium-sized florets, leaving a good amount of the stem for a nice shape (see the photo).
- Roasted: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and slightly browned (no need to stir!). When the broccoli is done, remove the pan from the oven. Grate 1 clove garlic onto the pan, and add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Use a spoon to gently toss it all together (separating any grated garlic that clumps together).
- Steamed: Place 1 1/2 cups water into a saucepan or pot. If using a steamer basket without a handle, add it to the pot now: the water surface should be right under the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the broccoli (in the steamer basket, if it has a handle). Steam with the lid on 3 to 4 minutes until just tender, testing with a fork to assess whether it’s done. If you’d like it more tender, cook 1 minute more. Carefully remove to a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Sauteed: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally (the broccoli will lightly brown in parts). Stir in 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until crisp tender but still bright green. Taste and add a few pinches of salt and fresh ground pepper. Remove the broccoli to a bowl and serve immediately. Sprinkle with lemon zest (optional).
- Grilled: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees). Wash the broccoli and pat it dry with a towel. Chop it into large florets with long stems so they are easy to turn on the grill. In a bowl, mix the broccoli with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground black pepper. Place the broccoli directly on the grill grates and grill for about 6 to 8 minutes until charred and tender, turning once. Remove from the grill and spritz with lemon juice from wedges from 1/2 of the lemon. Taste and add a few more pinches of kosher salt, if needed.
- Instant Pot: Add the broccoli and 1/2 cup water to the Instant Pot. Cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes. Note that it takes about 5 minutes for the pot to “preheat” and come up to pressure. (Avoid touching the metal part of the lid.) Quick release by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. Carefully remove the broccoli to a bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Various
- Cuisine: Vegetables
Keywords: How to Cook Broccoli
Broccoli nutrition
Broccoli is one of the best vegetables you can eat! It’s a cruciferous vegetable, part of a vegetable family that includes cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale. That means it inherits all the nutrients that run in the family! Here’s why to eat broccoli:
- It’s a great source of fiber. 1 cup of raw broccoli has 2.3 grams of fiber, or about 5 to 10% of your daily need. (Source)
- It’s high in protein for a green vegetable. 1 cup has 3 grams protein. (Source) That’s a similar level to asparagus and potatoes.
- It’s very high in Vitamin C. 1/2 cup has 70% your daily value of Vitamin C. (Source)
Don’t confuse broccoli with broccoli rabe! Broccoli rabe is a bitter green that’s more closely related to a turnip than broccoli.
Last updated: March 2021
About the Authors
Sonja Overhiser
Cookbook Author and writer
Sonja Overhiser is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best healthy cookbooks of 2018. She’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the food blog A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Sonja seeks to inspire adventurous eating to make the world a better place one bite at a time.
Alex Overhiser
Cookbook Author and photographer
Alex Overhiser is an acclaimed food photographer and author based in Indianapolis. He’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the recipe website A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Alex is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best vegetarian cookbooks by Epicurious.
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