The Best Steamed Broccoli Ever
Give this super quick steamed broccoli recipe a try and you’ll never go back to that boring, flavorless broccoli side dish ever again!
When I moved to the States from China a few years ago, my husband told me many people here in the States don’t like vegetables, especially kids. I wondered why. Because in China, people love vegetables, at least all the people I know do.
After living here for a while, I think I figured out the reason. It’s the way the vegetables are cooked.
Take broccoli as an example. Most restaurants serve it as a side dish and it usually doesn’t have much flavor. It feels like they just dip the florets in boiling water and put it on the side of a main course, expecting whatever sauce from the main can make up for the flavorlessness of the broccoli. Or you may even find raw broccoli or lightly roasted broccoli on a salad bar. They hardly get touched.
The thing is that there’re certain ways to cook vegetables that can make them taste 10X better. In my opinion, eating vegetables shouldn’t be something that you have to do. It should be something you enjoy doing.
In today’s recipe, I am going to show you how to steam broccoli without a steamer on the stove. This recipe is my all time go-to broccoli recipe.
There are only five key ingredients required and they are broccoli (obviously), cooking oil, garlic, salt, water or chicken broth. You may add additional seasonings or condiments if you like such as coconut aminos. But with the basic five ingredients and 17 minutes of total time, you’ll be able to make the best steamed broccoli that your family including your kids will love!
I hope you give this recipe a try. And if you like it, let me know in the comments below if you’d like more simple vegetable recipes like this one. I have plenty to share. Happy cooking!
PrintThe Best Steamed Broccoli Ever
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Gluten Free, Vegan
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Give this super quick steamed broccoli recipe a try and you’ll never go back to that boring, flavorless broccoli side dish ever again!
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets (about 2 heads)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water or chicken bone broth
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt or more if desired
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare broccoli by removing the stems and cutting into florets if using broccoli heads. Set aside.
- In a large sautépan (with a lid), heat coconut oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. (It might take less time for the oil to heat up on a gas stove.)
- Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Place broccoli florets in the pan, followed by salt, and sauté for about a minute.
- Pour water or broth over the broccoli and cover to steam for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
- Optionally, stir in a tablespoon coconut aminos to add a bit of umami flavor. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 92
- Sodium: 389.3mg
- Fat: 7.2g
- Saturated Fat: 5.9g
- Carbohydrates: 6.4g
- Protein: 3.5g
About the Author
Sharon Chen is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and author of the Complete Sous Vide Cookbook. She believes food not only brings healing but also connection. As the creator of StreetSmart Kitchen, she aims to make meal prep easier than ever and help you find balance, ease, joy, and simplicity in the kitchen as you improve your well-being.
I used olive oil and no amino and I have to say my picky kids (3 and 8) LOVED this. They had seconds and thirds!! Next time I will double the recipe so we have leftovers for lunch. Thank you!!
Very happy to hear that the kiddos enjoyed the broccoli as well. Thank you for trying out this recipe and your comment, Shala.
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Love this recipe it’s so simple yet so good!
Going to do this xx maybe with frozen mixed as I don’t think broccoli is in season right now where I am.
Hi Hope, did you end up trying this recipe with frozen mixed vegetables? How did it go?
Ohhh love that this adds a little extra flavor to broccoli! So easy too!
This looks delicious! It’s amazing how such simple ingredients, and not a lot of time, can make such a difference!
broccoli is one of my favorites! love a simple and yummy way to make it!
I’m pinning this! My daughter would love this! I got blessed with the least picky eater for a kid. She loves vegetables and is way more adventurous than I am as an eater
I love simple recipes like this and I esp love broccoli (and so does my daughter!) thanks for sharing 🙂