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Master How to Steam Broccoli to enjoy as a side dish or to add to pasta recipes, casseroles, and beyond. Healthy dinner side dish recipes need not be fussy; it takes just 15 minutes to make this versatile steamed broccoli โrecipe.โ
Thereโs a lot to love about steamed broccoli that goes beyond diet culture or the mushy version from your childhood. As a classically-trained chef, I am here to teach you how to successfully steam broccoli with ease so itโs bright green and tender-crisp with a garden-fresh taste.
Steamed broccoli, when properly cooked, is delicious plain, with a squeeze of lemon juice, or sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Itโs also a great prep step if youโre serving broccoli on a veggie tray, in a stir-fry, or as part of an omelet.
Thereโs a lot to love about humble steamed broccoli, and with all my best tips and tricks, youโre well on your way to more meals with veggies!
Table of Contents
What youโll need to Steam Broccoli
- Steamer basket: This OXO stainless steel steamer basket is simple, but it gets the job done, and itโs been my go-to for years. See more options in The Best Steamer Baskets.
- Broccoli:ย Choose bright green broccoli that has a firm stalk without yellowing florets or brown spots. Broccoli should feel heavy for its size. Whole broccoli should be stored in an open bag in the refrigerator. Use broccoli within 3 to 4 days. Cut the fresh broccoliย florets into pieces of uniform size for steaming so they cook evenly. One pound of fresh broccoli is the equivalent of about 6 cups.
How to Steam Broccoli
- In a medium or large pan, add 1 inch of water. Add steamer basket (with feet extended) and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli to steamer basket.
- Reduce heat to medium, cover, and steam for 4 to 5 minutes (or until desired doneness is reached).
Steamed Broccoli Recipe Tips
- Yield:ย This recipe makes 6 servings (ยฝ cup steamed broccoli each). 1 pound broccoli yields about 6 cups raw florets or 3 cups steamed florets.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Microwave: To steam broccoli in the microwave, place florets in a microwave-safe bowl or microwave-safe dish. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of water and cover loosely with a lid or plate, or cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap and poke several holes for ventilation. Microwave until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 2 to 4 minutes. (Larger florets will require more time.)
- Instant Pot: Add 1 cup water and your steamer basket to the bottom of a pressure cooker and fill with broccoli. Set the timer to zero (0) minutes, wait for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, then wait for it to naturally release. In total, this process takes about 10 minutes.
How to Season Steamed Broccoli
Stove top steamed broccoli is excellent plain, but for more flavor, drizzle with olive oil or melted butter, add a sprinkle of garlic powder or Parmesan cheese, or squeeze with fresh lemon juice. Some salt and black pepper is excellent, too!
Steamed Broccoli Recipe FAQs
If you donโt have a steamer basket, use a metal colander set in a large pot with a lid. Or, see my microwave method above in Recipe Tips and Variations.
This 1-ingredient steamed broccoli recipe is a blank slate. Of course itโs incredible with my easy Cheese Sauce for Broccoli. For a dairy-free and lighter alternative, I love to add a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or a few shakes of soy sauce. Or if you prefer, you could sprinkle on spices to transport this steamed broccoli around the world to match the main dishโs origin. Try taco seasoning, garam masala, Ras El Hanout, Italian seasoning, zaโatar, berbere, Herbes de Provence, Chinese five spice, and beyond; the only limit is your imagination.
If youโd rather enjoy steamed broccoli as part of an entree than on its own as a healthy side dish, options abound. Add steamed broccoli to grain bowls like my Mediterranean Buddha Bowl, fold some into pasta dishes (Baked Ziti, One Pot Chicken Alfredo, and Baked Mac and Cheese would all be brilliant with steamed broccoli in the mix), or feature it instead of fresh broccoli in a Veggie Platter or Cheese Board.
To steam frozen broccoli, just add broccoli what from the freezer to your steamer basket. Cover and steam until heated through. Easy!
Some research suggests that steaming vegetables is one of the best ways to retain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients among vegetable cooking methods. Source: National Library of Medicine.
Once your water is boiling, broccoli steams in just 4 to 5 minutes. Itโs a fast, fresh vegetable side dish ready in no time at all.
To steam broccoli in the microwave, add broccoli florets to a microwave-safe dish. Add an inch of water, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the broccoli reaches your desired doneness.
Bonus veggie basics
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Blanch Green Beans
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
Corn on the Cob (4 Ways)
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
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Steamed Broccoli Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Steamer basket (see note 1)
Ingredientsย
- 1 pound broccoli florets (see note 2)
Instructionsย
- In a medium or large saucepan, add 1 inch of water. Add steamer basket (with feet extended) and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli to steamer basket.
- Reduce heat to medium, cover, and steam for 4 to 5 minutes (or until desired doneness is reached).
Notes
- Steamer basket: This OXO stainless steel steamer basket is simple, but it gets the job done, and itโs been my go-to for years. See more options in The Best Steamer Baskets.
- Broccoli:ย Choose bright green broccoli that has a firm stalk without yellowing florets or brown spots. Broccoli should feel heavy for its size. Whole broccoli should be stored in an open bag in the refrigerator. Use broccoli within 3-4 days. Cut the fresh broccoliย florets into pieces of uniform size for steaming so they cook evenly.
- Yield:ย This recipe makes 6 servings (ยฝ cup steamed broccoli each). 1 pound broccoli yields about 6 cups raw florets or 3 cups steamed florets.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.