Boiled broccoli recipe that's easy, quick, and perfect. This post will show you how to boil broccoli that comes out crisp, tender, and retains its green color, how long to boil it, tips and tricks to getting it right.
Use in recipes that calls for it, or serve with chicken, air fryer steak, potatoes.
Boiled Broccoli Recipe
This boiled broccoli recipe is quick and cooks in less than 5 minutes. Yes, you read that right, in fact, the cooking time is just 3 minutes! Talk about quick! It's one of the easiest things one can cook on the stove.
It's easy to cook just like this boiled carrots recipe and it requires just few ingredients.
Broccoli is green vegetables that are high in nutrients and low in calories and boiling is one of the many methods how I like to cook it.
It is rich in fiber, protein, packed full of nutrients and this recipe is not only vegetarian, but vegan, gluten-free, and plant-based too.
Boiling broccoli is simple, requires minimal preparation, uses few ingredients, and you get healthy side dish that everyone will love.
Related: Pan fried broccoli, Air fryer broccolini
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions, are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Broccoli
Pepper (optional)
Salt
Water
Butter (Optional)
How To Boil Broccoli
Cut up the broccoli in similar size medium florets and rinse.
Add water to a pot, and bring to boil.
When the water is boiled, add salt then add in the broccoli florets.
Boil for 3-4 minutes or untill tender then take the pot off the heat.
You will know it's tender if a fork or the tip of a knife goes in easily. The color will also change to a bright green.
Drain the water completely and immediately add salt, pepper, and butter if using.
How To Boil Broccoli in microwave
Cut up the broccoli in similar size medium florets and rinse.
Add water to a microwave safe bowl, add salt then add in the broccoli florets.
Put the bowl in the microwave, cover, and boil on high for 5 - 6 minutes then take out the bowl.
Drain the water completely and immediately add salt, pepper and butter if adding.
Serve and enjoy.
How Long To Boil Broccoli
Depends on the cut and size of the florets. It takes 3-5 minutes using this recipe where the florets are medium sized and this is based on using fresh broccoli.
The broccoli is crispy, tender, and has a vibrant green color. Timing may vary if the florets are cut bigger or smaller.
It takes 3-5 minutes on the stove depending on the size of the florets.
If cooking the whole head, it takes about 10-15 minutes
For microwave broccoli, it takes 5 - 6 minutes.
For frozen broccoli, it takes 2-3 minutes for medium sized florets.
If you're only blanching the broccoli, it takes just 2 minutes and putting in cold water to stop the cooking process.
What To Serve with
It is a perfect healthy side dish to a lot of dishes. some recommendations are:
lime chicken, spicy chicken wings or boiled chicken.
Air fryer steak,or instant pot steak
Roast leg of lamb or instant pot lamb chops
Boiled potatoes, or roast potatoes.
How To Store
Leave it to cool completely then put it in a Ziploc or an airtight container then store in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove.
If you prefer to reheat in the microwave, put the broccoli on a microwave-safe plate and heat at a high temperature for 1-2 minutes or till warmed through.
To reheat on the stove, add into a pot of boiling water and cook for 1-2 minutes or till it's warmed through. Note that it will become tender than how it was so if you know you'll be reheating, take some minutes off the initial cooking time.
You can also to decide to reheat in the oven to get it roasted and crispy.
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- When buying broccoli, buy the one that's dark green. Avoid the ones with lots of yellow spots. Few spots are normal.
- Cut into similar size florets.
- Rinse before cooking to get rid of dirt.
- Don't overcook the broccoli. It cooks quickly and can become mushy if boiled for too long.
- The smaller the florets, the quicker they cook.
- If you're using it in another recipe that requires cooking it again, then take few minutes off the cooking time.
- You can use the water you boiled it in as vegetable broth in soups, sauces.
- You can add cheese like parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
- Remember cooking time depends on size of cut so keep an eye on it.
What is the healthiest way to cook broccoli?
Boiling is the healthiest way as it only requires water to cook so no additional calories. However, you can add other ingredients like butter, cheese if you like.
How do you know broccoli are boiled?
Pierce with a fork if it goes in easily it's tender and cooked. The color will also change to a bright green.
Calories in boiled Broccoli?
100g of broccoli contains 34 calories with 6.6g carbs, 2.8g protein and fat 0.4g.
How to make boiled broccoli taste better?
You can make it tatse better by adding sauce like this garlic butter sauce, adding cheese, using additional seasoning like Italian seasoning.
More Healthy Vegetable Recipes
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Recipe
Boiled Broccoli Recipe (How to Boil Broccoli)
Equipment
- Pot
- Stove
Ingredients
- 1 head Broccoli
- ½ teaspoon Pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Butter optional
Instructions
- Cut up the broccoli in similar size medium florets and rinse.
- Add water to a pot, and bring to boil. When the water is boiled, add salt then add in the broccoli florets.
- Boil for 3-4 minutes or untill tender then take the pot off the heat.
- Drain the water completely and immediately add salt, pepper, and butter if using.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- When buying broccoli, buy the one that's dark green. Avoid the ones with lots of yellow spots. Few spots are normal.
- Cut into similar size florets.
- Rinse before cooking to get rid of dirt.
- Don't overcook the broccoli. It cooks quickly and can become mushy if boiled for too long.
- The smaller the florets, the quicker they cook.
- If you're using it in another recipe that requires cooking it again, then take few minutes off the cooking time.
- You can use the water you boiled it in as vegetable broth in soups, sauces.
- You can add cheese like parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
- Remember cooking time depends on the size of the cut so keep an eye on it.
Nutrition
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