7 Best Ways To Cook Broccoli

How to Choose the Right Broccoli?

When choosing broccoli, here are some points to keep in mind in order to select the best:

1. Type of Broccoli:

There is not just one type of broccoli available; they are all unique from each other in several ways. For example, there are:

• Common broccoli: Available at nearly every grocery store.
• Rapini (broccoli rabe): Bitter in taste, used often in Italian dishes.
• Gai lan (Chinese broccoli): Common in Chinese food, with a high visibility of leaves.

2. Visual Examination:

The following are positive signs to look out for:

• Firm, compact heads
• Uniform dark green florets
• Freshly cut, moist stem ends 

3. Broccoli to Avoid:

• Yellowing or open flowers indicate over-maturity and may be bitter.
• Woody or rubbery stems.
• Blemishes, dark spots, or mold on the surface, especially in the crevices among florets.
• Strong odors-this suggests that rotting has begun.

4. Leaf Check: 

• If leaves are still attached, they should be crisp and leafy green and show no signs of wilting or yellowing.

5. Size Consideration: 

• Remember, size does not determine quality. Choose what you like and suits your purpose.

6. Organic vs. Conventional:

• Much of this is a matter of personal preference and budget. Both can be a healthy choice if chosen judiciously.

How To Cook Broccoli

Below is a method of preparing broccoli using seven different techniques that yield varying textures and flavors.

While roasting and steaming are two of the most popular techniques, all of these methods have the possibility of forming extremely tasty results.

1. Air Fryer Broccoli

Making the broccoli in the air fryer is a little more crackly. It also takes less time!

Ingredients: 

• Fresh broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt Pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic powder 

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air fryer to 400°F - 450°F.
2. Marinate or add seasoning of your choice like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and olive oil.
3. Place a parchment or baking paper.
4. Place the marinated broccoli in the air fryer in a single layer to cook them evenly.
5. Cook the broccoli for 8-10 occasionally tossing in between.
6. Shake the basket halfway, at 5 min. 
7. Cook until broccoli edges start to caramelize. 

Tips:

• For best outcome, do not overcrowd the basket.
• Cook time may vary with different air fryer models and desired crispiness level.
• For optimal texture and flavor, serve immediately. 

Best for: Quick and simple side dish that is crispy on the outside and tender inside.

2. Sauteed Broccoli

Sautéing broccoli, certainly, is one of the best ways if you want your broccoli to be full of flavors while cooking.

Ingredients

• 1 tb. olive oil
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ⅛ tsp. black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. If using stem, peel and slice.
2. In a huge skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high to high.
3. To the hot skillet, add broccoli, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss to coat broccoli with oil and seasonings.
5. Cook, stirring often, for 4-6 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. If using garlic, add the last minute of cooking.
6. Broccoli is tender yet still a bit crunchy when cooked; remove from heat.

Tips:

• Don't congest the pan; cook in batches if needed for proper browning.
• Throw in a little water and cover for a minute or so, if you like it softer.
• Just finish off with lemon juice or shaved parmesan for some extra brightness.

Best for: Stir-fries, pasta dishes, or as a versatile side dish.

Serving Ideas: Toss with pasta and parmesan, add into grain bowls, or suffice alongside grilled meats or fish.

3. Boiling Broccoli

This is one of the effortless ways to cook broccoli, and most people have possibly had boiled broccoli more than a few times throughout their lives. Boiling broccoli retains its clean, pure flavor and is also the healthiest way to prepare it.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of broccoli (1 lb.)
• 1 tsp salt
• Water for boiling
• Seasonings Optional: olive oil, butter, lemon juice, pepper

Instructions:

1. Cleanse the Broccoli, dry them with a cloth, and cut them as desired.
2. Fetch a large pot of water to boil.
3. Tally 1 tbsp salt to boiling water.
4. Gently add the florets.
5. Cook for 2-3 min until just tender but still bright green.
6. Drain at once in a colander.
7. Season to taste and serve hot.

Tips:

• Do not overcook- the broccoli should be tender-crisp and bright green.
• Shock in an ice bath, if desired, to quickly stop the cooking process.
• Mash with olive oil, butter, lemon juice, or your favorite seasonings after draining for added flavor.

Best for: Soups, purees, or simple side dishes.

Serve the following:

• Throw into pasta salads or grain bowls.
• Puree for a creamy broccoli soup.
• Just a simple side of steamed broccoli with a pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil.

4. Grilled Broccoli

Well-grilled broccoli is a phenomenal side dish. This easy and modest way of grilling broccoli has sweet and salty smokiness that is sure to please the summer crowds.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic powder, lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat (350°F).
2. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place broccoli on a vegetable grilling plate or basket.
4. Grill for 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Until lightly charred, and tender-crisp.
6. Remove from grill and season further if needed.

Tips:

• Try to cut florets into similar sizes to assure even cooking.
• In the case of not having a grilling plate, use foil packets or skewers.

Best for: Serving as a side dish or integrating it into the main course.

Serve with:

• Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top at the time of serving.
• Give an extra kick with balsamic glaze.
• Serve with grilled meats or fish.

5. Microwave Broccoli

If using this method, remember to use a very small amount of water to the bowl as the desire is to steam the broccoli and not to boil it.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp olive oil/ghee
• Salt and pepper- to taste
• Optional- Lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Take broccoli, wash under running water and cut to size of bites or better still cut into florets.
2. Arrange them in a microwave safe bowl.
3. Pour water into the bowl to make it slightly less than 1/4 cup.
4. Cover bowl with a dinner plate.
5. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
6. Carefully remove plate and check tenderness.
7. If needed, microwave additional 1-2 minutes. Drain excess water.
8. Serve with olive oil or ghee with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips:

• Do not add more water because you want to steam, not boil.
• Cooking time is an approximation and may vary based on microwave power and amount of broccoli. 
• For crisper broccoli, cook for a little less time.

Best for: Quick weeknight meals and the quickest of sides.

Serve the following:

• Add to pasta dishes or grain bowls.
• Serve with a quick protein for an easy meal.
• Add at the end for stir-fries or frittatas.

6. Steaming Broccoli

Steaming is also one of the most popular ways to give you bright, crisp-tender broccoli ready to go in pasta, salads, casseroles, and just to eat as a side.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head of broccoli cut into florets
• Water for steaming
• 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Fill up vessel with 1-2 inches of water, placing steamer basket inside.
2. Over medium-high heat, bring the water to a simmer.
3. Place broccoli florets inside of the steamer basket.
4. Cover and steam 4-5 minutes, until tender-crisp.
5. Remove from heat and shift the broccoli into a bowl.
6. Toss with olive oil or ghee, salt, and pepper (squeeze lemon if longed for).

Tips:

• Be sure water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
• When done, broccoli should be bright green in color, check with fork.
• Do not overcook; steamed broccoli goes from utterly cooked to mushy in a moment.

Best for: Easy, healthy, and delicious side dish.

Some serving suggestions:

• Dust with toasted almonds or sesame seeds.
• Serve steamed broccoli with grilled fish or chicken.
• Use cold in salads or hot in grain bowls.

7. Roasting Broccoli

Roasting broccoli brings out such flavor. And a roasted broccoli recipe makes a really nice side dish. Just squeeze a lemon and you're good to go.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped fresh garlic, lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Utilize a pre-heated oven, at about 425 °F (220 °C) for the baking process.
2. Add up some condiments including; salt, black pepper, oil, and garlic powder.
3. Put parchment or baking paper on the baking tray and diffuse some oil on it.
4. Place the broccolis aligned for even distribution of the heat.
5. Put the baking tray into the oven which has been preheated earlier.
6. Cook the broccoli for 20 to 25 minutes (flipping them in between the instances of cooking).

Best for: Palatable and filling side dish.

To Serve:

• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese at serving.
• Add to pasta dishes and grain bowls.
• Serve along with roasted meats and fish.

How Long to Cook Broccoli?

Whatever cooking method you use, let's make the timing perfect. The secrets to perfectly cooked broccoli, every single time, are finally described below. 

1. Air Fryer Broccoli: Cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes and halfway through, shake the basket for even browning. Your broccoli will emerge crispy on the outside and tender inside.

2. Sauteed Broccoli: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cook for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally until bright green and slightly crisp.

3. Boiling Broccoli: Drop the florets into boiling water. Cook till tender-crisp, which would take 3-5 minutes. Overboiling should not be done, or else it makes broccoli mushy, and it will lose its nutrients.

4. Grilled Broccoli: Grill at 350°F. Place broccoli onto a vegetable plate and grill for 7-10 minutes. Broccoli is known to be cooked to that tender stage when it has slightly burnt surface.

5. Microwave Broccoli: Put broccoli into a “microwave dish” with little water added to it. Saute until contents are hot and then turn the heat to high for 2-4 minutes. Check and use addition in 30 second where necessary.

6. Steaming Broccoli: Then place a steamer rack into a pot with water and put the water on heat and allow the water to heat to boil. Place the broccoli in the steamer. Boil the broccoli in stream for approximately 4-5 minutes until it changes its color from greenish to a bright green or until it softens.

7. Roasting Broccoli: First of all, turn on the heat to medium high temperature in your oven then set it to 425°F. Place the broccoli on the baking sheet and whisk it into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, try and flip the broccoli once or twice, to make them brown evenly. Crisp on the outside the broccoli has brown edges and is tender on the inside.

How To Store Broccoli For Meal Prep

Broccoli is considered one of the great vegetables for meal prepping because it is pretty versatile and lasts long when stored appropriately. Here is a more elaborate way to make the most of broccoli for your meal prep:

Do's:

1. Pre-chopping raw broccoli:

• Wash the broccoli thoroughly and pat it dry.
• Cut into florets that are in a bitable size, and if needed, peel and slice the stems.
• Store in sealed vessels or re-useable bags with a paper towel inside to ingest excess moisture.
• Store it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
• If stored rightly, pre-cut broccoli may last up to about 7 to 10 days.

2. Freezing Cooked Broccoli:

• Roast, steam, or sauté until broccoli is tender but still crisp.
• Let it cool down completely so that ice crystal formation can be avoided.
• Divide into freezer containers or freezer-safe bags.
• Label with a date and freeze for 3-6 months for best quality.
• Freeze and refrigerate overnight before adding to your meals.

3. Cooked Broccoli: 

• Prepare broccoli via a preferred method, then portion it into meal prep containers.
• While the smell may become stronger after a few days, the nutritional value does not decrease.
• Consume within 3-5 days for the best freshness and flavor.
• A lemon wedge added to the container can be squeezed over the broccoli just before consumption to refresh the flavor.

Don'ts:

1. Freeze raw broccoli: The high water content in raw broccoli is not very suitable for freezer storage.

2. If you freeze raw broccoli, then blanch it beforehand:

• Boil for 2-3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water.
• Drain thoroughly and pat dry before freezing.

More Tips:

• If you are pre-chopping the raw broccoli, don't wash this until you are ready for it; this will help it stay crispy.
• Keep your meal prep interesting by trying various ways to cook your broccoli and adding different seasonings.