12 Not-Boring Broccoli Recipes (2024)

Whether broccoli is your favorite veggie or the one you still avoid, there’s no denying it’s usually an afterthought in most recipes.

Sure, steaming or boiling it is easy and doesn’t taste bad, but there’s so much more you can do with the green veg — add it to casseroles, make it into a salad, or DIY your favorite Chinese takeout dish, for starters.

We promise, even the veggie-haters will be convinced with these recipes.

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1. Creamy almond broccoli salad

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Most creamy salads are loaded with mayo, but this version opts for an almond butter, miso, and orange juice dressing that gives it a tangy kick.

Toss the ingredients together, drizzle with sauce, and you’ve got a side dish/BBQ contribution/veggie lunch ready to go.

2. Whole30 cream of broccoli soup

What if we told you this soup was just as good chilled as it is hot? Such is the magic of broccoli in liquid form, along with a few other key ingredients.

Coconut milk adds the creaminess, green apple adds hints of sweet and tart, and Yukon gold potatoes give the soup some density. Herbs like shallots and spices like cinnamon tie all the flavors together.

It’s so good, you’ll want to slurp it right out of the bowl.

3. Best broccoli salad

This classic summer dish has been modified to taste great without all the sugar, gobs of mayo, bacon, and cheese (believe it or not).

Even better, the finished salad gets better as time goes on, as the flavors have time to marinate. Save nuts and seeds as a garnish for the day you eat the salad though, in order to preserve their smoky flavor and crunch.

Pro tip: Cut the broccoli into small pieces, so that dressing coats every inch. Sneaky, yet delicious.

4. Creamy vegan broccoli salad

Whenever we see “creamy” and “vegan” in the same sentence, we’re instantly curious. The magic behind this is the herby hemp dressing, which you’ll want to put on everything from now on (and maybe even drink it).

This salad is all about interesting textures. Turnips, radishes, and purple cabbage not only look gorgeous on a plate, they’re fun and crunchy too. For a little extra oomf, sprinkle hemp hearts over the top.

5. Crispy broccoli parmesan fritters

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Think broccoli tots, but bigger. These latke-like fritters only require a food processor and a frying pan, and can be ready in half an hour. Top ’em with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, plus maybe a little salsa.

6. Lemon garlic magic broccoli

Anything dubbed “magic broccoli” is worth a try. This recipe requires only a tiny bit more effort than your usual roasting-in-a-pan, but the extra time makes such a difference.

Add garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parmesan to broccoli and pop ’em in the oven for 25 minutes. It’s a game changer.

7. Vegan bang bang broccoli

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This vegan broccoli dish is as tasty as it is colorful. Chili paste and hot sauce give it a kick, and you probably already have most of the other ingredients in your pantry — score!

8. Curried broccoli slaw

This recipe caught our attention because of the curry powder and apples, two unusual ingredients in a broccoli slaw recipe. And it might not seem like it would work, but trust us, it really does (so good!).

You can make your life easier by picking up a bag of prepackaged broccoli slaw in the store. That way you can simply pour it in a bowl, add the mix-ins, and you’re good to go.

Pro tip: To make your own broccoli slaw, grate broccoli and carrots on a cheese grater, then add purple cabbage to the mix.

9. Cheesy cauliflower broccoli bake

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This cheesy, veggie-filled dish is the ultimate healthy(ish) casserole. It’s lighter than the usual ‘role thanks to low-fat cheese, fat-free or coconut milk, and olive oil. Paprika and dijon kick things up a notch, flavor-wise.

10. Szechuan shrimp and broccoli

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Peace out, takeout, we’ve got this covered. This spicy shrimp and broccoli dish will rival any Chinese delivery, and it’s simple to make. If you like things extra spicy, add a bit more Sriracha or red pepper flakes.

11. Ginger chicken and broccoli stir fry

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A stir-fry is our favorite low-key weeknight meal, and this one is no exception. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar go a long way in transforming chicken and broccoli into a stellar dish.

12. Paleo chicken and broccoli alfredo

You know that question, “If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Well, this recipe might just be your new answer.

Alfredo without dairy is a thing — and it’s the bomb. To trip you out even more, the noodles are made from turnips (as in, the vegetable). Suitable for Whole30 fans, paleo peeps, and keto-dieters, it’s a dish that’s sure to please.

The thought of broccoli at dinner used to have us like: uh, not again.🙄Steamed, raw, and sautéed just was not cutting it anymore.

But then this list happened. Between fritters, stir-fry, and spoonfuls of creamy broccoli slaw, we’re officially hopping on the broccoli bandwagon. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for you, too.

12 Not-Boring Broccoli Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to prepare broccoli for people who don t like broccoli? ›

Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

What is the healthiest way to cook broccoli? ›

You can also preserve both nutrients and the enzyme needed to form protective isothiocyanates if you steam broccoli for three or four minutes (just until crisp-tender) or microwave for less than one minute.

How do you cook broccoli so it's not mushy? ›

Make sure you don't use more water, otherwise the broccoli will boil rather than steam, making for soggy results. Add your broccoli to the skillet and cover it with a lid. Cook until the broccoli reaches your desired level of tenderness, about 3 to 5 minutes.

How do you make broccoli taste good without adding calories? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli

Lightly sauteed with garlic and a splash of water. It's that simple. Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys.

How do you get a picky eater to eat broccoli? ›

Top 10 Ways to Get Your Kid to Eat Broccoli
  1. Start Early. If your little one is just starting to eat solids, work in the veggies early. ...
  2. Make it Fun! We all know that broccoli looks like little, tiny trees. ...
  3. Know How to Cook It. ...
  4. Try a Different Kind. ...
  5. Mix it Up. ...
  6. Serve it Raw. ...
  7. Involve the Kiddos. ...
  8. Hide It.
Sep 11, 2019

Is it healthier to boil or bake broccoli? ›

In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking. All cooking treatments, except steaming, caused great losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C. Only boiling and stir-frying/boiling caused the loss of total carotenoids.

What to season your broccoli with? ›

Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for best results, but you can also use frozen broccoli. I recommend decreasing the cooking time by 30 to 60 seconds if using frozen broccoli. Seasonings: These could include melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and/or zest, salt, pepper, garlic, or shredded cheese.

What makes broccoli taste better? ›

Toss broccoli with thyme, garlic salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Put broccoli on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Lemon slices are optional, but they do make it look so pretty and add another dimension of lemon flavor!

Is it better to saute or boil broccoli? ›

Why You'll Love this Sautéed Broccoli: Quick and Easy: All you need is a skillet with a lid + 15 minutes! Healthy: Unlike boiling, which can cause some of the more heat-sensitive nutrients, like vitamin C, to leach out, sautéing helps vegetables retain some of their more delicate nutrients.

Is it better to steam or boil broccoli? ›

While boiled broccoli is often soggy, steamed broccoli is characteristically crisp-tender. Plus, when you boil broccoli, some of the nutrients leach into the boiling water. You don't have to worry about that with steaming. Your steamed broccoli will be a great meal-prep building block because it's like a blank canvas.

How do you cook broccoli so you don't bloat? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables

So you can keep eating green vegetables. To help digestion, you can try steaming the vegetables: "Cooking any vegetable softens the fiber and shrinks the portion as some of the water cooks out, so it takes up less space in the GI [gastrointestinal] tract," explained Sass.

Why do you add salt to broccoli when boiling it? ›

Blanching your vegetables makes them sweeter and more tender. But if you drop a small handful of kosher salt into the water, you'll also be gently seasoning the vegetables at the same time. Just like pasta, cooking vegetables in salted water helps the seasoning permeate the vegetable.

Why add milk to boiling water for broccoli? ›

Immediately after setting with salt (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). It is also slightly sweetened, which will make the broccoli retain their green color. In the middle of the cooking water may be added to the milk to aid in preventing leaching of calcium from bones by the microelements contained in broccoli.

Can dogs have broccoli? ›

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

What can I eat if I don't like broccoli? ›

Cauliflower

While the flavour of cauliflower is milder and less green, the shape and texture is really similar. Nutritionally they are very comparable. If you're feeding someone with an aversion to green vegetables, cauliflower can be an excellent broccoli substitute.

Why can't I tolerate broccoli? ›

Salicylate allergy. Symptoms of a broccoli allergy usually mean that you're sensitive to salicylates, which is a natural chemical that can be found in plants like broccoli. Some people may be sensitive to even small amounts of salicylates.

How to prepare broccoli easily? ›

Cut the broccoli into small florets, and then blanch the florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain the broccoli, and then sauté it in olive oil or butter over medium heat until it is tender, about 4-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can also steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes until it is tender.

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