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This easy sautéed broccoli recipe makes bright green, crisp-tender florets in just 10 minutes! My simple seasonings and quick method make this healthy side dish a weeknight favorite at my house.
In need of a healthy and easy side dish? Here’s a recipe that I make at least twice weekly: sautéed broccoli! It sounds basic, but you’ll be surprised at how much flavor you can get from perfectly cooking this vegetable!
I’ve found a lot of home cooks overcook broccoli or under season it, which makes it soggy and flavorless (no wonder some people are wary of it). This recipe has become my go-to method during busy weeknights: and my family loves it so much they actually request it.
5 Star Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I think it turned out fantastic and got equally good reviews from my family! I think I will definitely be cooking broccoli like this again, thank you for this super easy recipe! -Cecelia
How to Sauté Broccoli
Broccoli is a pretty basic veggie, but so many home cooks overcook it to the point of no return. Overcooked broccoli is the worst: it’s limp and lifeless. Instead, you’ll want to get it just to the point where it’s tender, but still bright green and crisp.
Here are some tips on how to make the best sautéed broccoli:
Step 1: Chop into medium-sized florets. Try to leave a good amount of the stem to make a nice shape so the broccoli doesn’t look stubby.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli and sauté for 5 minutes. Watch the pan and stir so the broccoli doesn’t get too browned. Stir in the seasonings.
Step 3: Cover and cook 2 minutes more. Covering the broccoli at the end locks in the moisture and steams it, helping it to get fully cooked through and tender instead of more browned.
🥦 Looking for more ways to cook broccoli? Try my steamed broccoli, roasted broccoli, and roasted broccoli and carrots recipes, or head to How to Cook Broccoli for more!
Creative Ways to Season Sautéed Broccoli
The key to making this side dish great is the seasonings! First and foremost, make sure to salt it perfectly to taste. Then, to accessorize, I used sliced green onion, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder (see the recipe below). Topping with lemon zest gives it the perfect zing if you have a lemon! Here are a few more ideas for flavoring:
- Italian style: Top with Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, or A drizzle of balsamic reduction
- Mediterranean: Add feta cheese or goat cheese crumbles, or minced garlic (sauteed before adding the broccoli)
- Asian Inspired: Add rice vinegar, soy sauce (in place of the last ¼ teaspoon salt), and sesame seeds
- Crunchy: Add slivered toasted almonds, or top with panko
Nutritional Benefits
Broccoli is a super-nutritious cruciferous vegetable! It’s high in fiber (with 2.4 grams per 1 cup), which helps keep you full and aids digestion. It also has relatively high protein for a vegetable (2.5 grams per 1 cup), and is high in Vitamin C, K, and iron. Read more broccoli nutrition facts here.
Perfect Pairings for Sautéed Broccoli
Of course, there’s no end to dishes to pair with this tasty veggie! It’s so versatile that it literally goes with anything. Here are a few ideas for main dishes that would pair nicely:
- Pair it with pasta or risotto. You could serve with mac and cheese or as a side to go with lasagna for some well-needed fiber. Try my vegetarian lasagna, risotto, or mushroom pasta with goat cheese.
- Serve with salmon or chicken. This broccoli pairs with any salmon recipe or chicken recipe. Try our baked salmon, grilled salmon, or pan-seared salmon, Parmesan crusted chicken, or grilled chicken.
- Try it with pizza. Try this as a vegetable-based side for pizza recipes like Margherita pizza or Neapolitan pizza. Top with a bit of feta or Parmesan cheese, and it adds green to the plate.
Storing and Reheating
Sautéed broccoli stores well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the florets in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or reheat for a few minutes in an air fryer.
The color fades over time and the texture becomes a little softer. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can help to brighten the flavor of leftovers.
Dietary Notes
This sautéed broccoli recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh broccoli florets are ideal. Look for firm, deep green florets with tight buds. Avoid broccoli with yellowing florets or a mushy texture.
I don’t recommend it. Frozen broccoli florets have a softer texture and may release more water during cooking.
Steaming the broccoli preserves its vibrant green color and slightly more nutrients. Sautéing allows for browning and caramelization, developing a deeper and more complex flavor.
Blanching (briefly boiling) broccoli florets for a minute or two before sautéing can help soften them slightly and ensure even cooking. However, it’s not essential, especially if you prefer your broccoli with a bit of a bite.
The possibilities are endless! Popular additions include garlic, shallots, ginger, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, lemon juice, toasted nuts, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Simple Sauteed Broccoli
This easy sautéed broccoli recipe makes bright green, crisp-tender florets in just 10 minutes! My simple seasonings and quick method make this healthy side dish a weeknight favorite.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sauteed
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (2 large heads) broccoli
- 2 green onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Dress it up: Add a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese or feta cheese!
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into medium-sized florets (leave a good amount of the stem for a nice shape; see the photo). Thinly slice the green onions.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally (the broccoli will lightly brown in parts). Stir in the green onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
- Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until crisp and tender but still bright green. Taste and add a few pinches of salt if needed (to make the flavor pop!) and fresh ground pepper. Remove the broccoli to a bowl and serve immediately. Sprinkle with the lemon zest, if using.
Notes
Leftovers and reheating: Sautéed broccoli stores well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the florets in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or reheat for a few minutes in an air fryer. The color fades over time and the texture becomes a little softer. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can help to brighten the flavor of leftovers.
Flavor variations: Add grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, lemon juice, minced garlic, toasted almonds or panko for different flavors and textures. See the section above.
Just wondering if you keep at same heat entire time?
yes!
Tried this with fresh broccoli and it was great! Will this work with thawed frozen broccoli?
You won’t get the same texture, but it still tastes great!
I played around with this recipe a bit but luckily it seems to be quite versatile! I didn’t have any onions handy and I used a dash of lemon juice instead of zest. I also can’t eat cheese so I added a healthy sprinkle of nutritional yeast. I think it turned out fantastic and got equally good reviews from my family! I think I will definitely be cooking broccoli like this again, thank you for this super easy recipe!
So glad you enjoyed!
Problem: need to use broccoli, wanted something quick for a side
Journey: searching online for inspiration
Destination: the yummy, tasty recipe from your site
Outcome: flavorful al dente broccoli with a kick
I am grateful…Foodieforpeace
Haha! So glad you enjoyed it! We make this one at least twice a week!