Get more superfoods into your life and more broccoli on your plate with fast and delicious steamed broccoli.
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How often did you hear “Eat your broccoli” while growing up? It turns out Mom was right. Broccoli is considered a superfood thanks to its abundant antioxidant supply, such as vitamins K, A, and C. It also contains essential minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. All of these crucial nutrients help reduce inflammation in the body, lower the risk of cancer, and build up the immune system.
Unfortunately, many nutrients are lost when we cook vegetables the wrong way. When cooking broccoli, it’s critical to cook it only until tender, not mushy, so more nutrients are in each bite. Steaming is an excellent way to get the job done right.
I love this steamed broccoli recipe for its flexibility. Learning to steam the broccoli correctly is what matters most. After that, feel free to season your steamed veggies any way you please. The recipe calls for olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for seasoning, and I think that’s perfect. Still, you can jazz things up and make parmesan broccoli with a sprinkle of parmesan after it cooks or garlic broccoli by adding some garlic powder.
I also enjoy air fryer broccoli and grilled broccoli, but I tend to come back to the simple method of steaming it on the stovetop in a pan.
Is Steamed Broccoli Healthy?
Steamed broccoli is incredibly healthy. As we discussed, broccoli is a superfood full of all things fabulous. It’s fat-free, cholesterol-free, and loaded with fiber, which is needed to help eliminate bad cholesterol in the body. You simply can’t go wrong with a food that is safe for every type of diet and contains nothing harmful.
If you are looking for a dish to please every eater in your life, including vegans, gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto, keep steamed broccoli on the menu. To completely remove all fat from this recipe, omit the oil (though olive oil is a healthy fat).
Fresh or frozen broccoli florets?
Fresh broccoli florets are the best texture. Frozen veggies are great since they are often flash-frozen at the peak of freshness, helping the vegetables maintain their nutritional value. However, frozen veggies don’t do well for steaming. You will likely end up with mushy, wet broccoli. Stick with fresh broccoli for steaming, and keep frozen broccoli on hand for soups and casseroles.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- Olive oil optional
- Lemon juice optional
- Salt optional
- Pepper optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Fill a pot with water and set up your steamer basket.
Steam
Bring the water to a simmer, add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender.
Season
Transfer broccoli to a dish and season with olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper as you like.
Enjoy
Serve the perfectly steamed broccoli.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If making broccoli ahead and storing it for future use, place the cooked broccoli in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for three to five days. If freezing steamed broccoli, place the cooked broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet, then put it in the freezer for a couple of hours until frozen. Next, transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer-safe zip-top plastic bag and freeze for about six to eight months. This method helps the broccoli to not clump together in the freezer.
There are all kinds of ways to use up your leftover or make-ahead steamed broccoli. Throw it in soups, salads, or on top of rice for a hearty meal. You can also heat it up and enjoy broccoli as a side with any meal.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a steaming basket; you can still enjoy steamed broccoli. Grab a metal strainer and use it in place of the basket. Fill the pot with about half an inch of water and place the metal strainer on top so it isn’t touching the water. Steam as usual, covering the strainer and pot with a lid as best as you can.
Broccoli needs a little help to have impressive flavor. This steamed broccoli recipe calls for olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper for flavor; however, if it’s not enough pizazz for you, feel free to add other seasonings. Cayenne pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and seasoned salt are all excellent choices for bold flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed broccoli is an amazing side dish that complements many meals. Consider serving it alongside air fryer steak and scalloped potatoes, or pair it with boneless pork chops and applesauce.
At lunchtime, steamed broccoli makes a great light meal, along with an apple cinnamon muffin or an egg salad grilled cheese sandwich. One of my favorites is a bowl of cilantro lime rice covered with steamed broccoli. Toss in some sauteed shrimp for protein, and you’ve got a filling, healthy meal.
How to Steam Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- Olive oil optional
- Lemon juice optional
- Salt optional
- Pepper optional
Instructions
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Fill a pot with 1 inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Ensure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
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Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat, then add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket.
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Cover the pot with a lid and allow the broccoli to steam for about 5 minutes, or until it is tender to your liking.
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Once steamed, transfer the broccoli to a serving dish and, if desired, season with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
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DEVOUR!
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