Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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Perfect Sautéed Broccoli! Learn how to cook broccoli in a skillet for an easy, delicious and healthy side dish.

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Broccoli is one of my go-to veggies when I need an easy side dish to go with our meals. I’ve shared my favorite Roasted Broccoli and Steamed Broccoli recipes, and today I’m sharing my easy method for making perfect crisp-tender sautéed broccoli.

This broccoli is simply seasoned with garlic and lemon and cooks quickly in a skillet on the stove. You’ll love the bright green color, fresh flavor and crisp texture.

Serve this sautéed broccoli alongside your favorite proteins or toss it with pasta for an easy lunch or dinner. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds make it extra irresistible. This good-for-you side is sure to become a favorite of yours, too!

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Sautéed Broccoli Recipe Ingredients

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

You’ll need just a few ingredients to make sautéed broccoli with stand-out flavor:

  • Broccoli: Of course! You’ll start with fresh broccoli crowns, and chop them into florets. Since frozen broccoli has a higher water content, it won’t give you the same crisp results as fresh.
  • Olive Oil: For sautéing the broccoli. I use extra virgin olive oil, but any olive oil will work.
  • Water: Adding a little bit of water to the pan helps to steam-cook the sautéed broccoli to make it tender. It’s hard to get broccoli tender from sautéing alone, without burning the edges.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor.
  • Salt & Pepper: I like to use sea salt or coarse Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Lemon Zest: To brighten up the flavors.

How to Make Sautéed Broccoli

A few simple steps will ensure that you get perfect, crave-worthy sautéed broccoli. You’ll need a large cast iron skillet or other heavy skillet and a lid to cover the skillet. It’s ok if the lid doesn’t fit exactly, as long as it covers the pan to trap the steam inside.

  1. Cut the broccoli into florets. Then cut all but very small florets in half. Quarter any very large florets. You want all of the pieces to be approximately the same size so that they will cook evenly.
  2. Pat the broccoli florets dry to remove any remaining moisture.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the broccoli to the hot pan and use kitchen tongs to arrange the broccoli pieces flat side down in the pan. This step increases the surface area of the broccoli that’s in contact with the pan, so you’ll get more browned, caramelized edges. Cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Then stir and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring the broccoli often. Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (3)
  6. Add the water and cover the pan. Cook for 2 minutes. The steam in the pan will finish cooking the broccoli. Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  7. Uncover the skillet and stir in the minced garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper and lemon zest. Then serve and enjoy!

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (5)

Serving Suggestions

You can serve the sautéed broccoli as is, or sprinkle on grated Parmesan cheese (my favorite!). For a spicy kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

This easy broccoli goes with just about everything! Try it with Baked Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Salmon, Baked Pork Chops or Chicken Parmesan.

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (6)

More Favorite Broccoli Recipes

If you love this sauteed broccoli, try this Broccoli Stir Fry or one of these easy broccoli recipes next:

  • Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Instant Pot Broccoli
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Broccoli Cheese Quiche
  • Broccoli Casserole

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (7)

Grab a skillet, chop that broccoli and get this fresh and flavorful side dish cooking. Then watch those veggies disappear!

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

5 from 4 ratings

Sautéed Broccoli

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 7 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

How to cook perfect crisp-tender Sautéed Broccoli. You'll love the bright green color and fresh flavors of this easy side dish!

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound broccoli crowns
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt or sea salt, or to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  • Cut the broccoli into florets. Then cut all but very small florets in half. Quarter any very large florets. Pat dry to remove any moisture on the broccoli.

  • Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or other heavy skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the broccoli to the pan. Use kitchen tongs to turn the pieces so that the flat sides are down against the bottom of the pan. Cook, without stirring, for 3-4 minutes.

  • Then stir the broccoli and continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

  • Pour in the water and immediately cover the pan. Cook for 2 minutes.

  • Uncover the pan and stir in the minced garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.

  • Sprinkle the salt, pepper and lemon zest over the broccoli. Stir to distribute. Serve immediately.

Calories: 88kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 367mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 707IU, Vitamin C: 102mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

5 Ingredients Dairy Free Gluten Free Side Dishes Vegetarian Recipes

posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Mar 17, 2022 (last updated Mar 13, 2023)

5 comments Leave a comment »

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5 comments on “Sautéed Broccoli”

  1. Kelly Reply

    This is so yummy! It’s a perfect broccoli recipe that I know I’m going to make over and over again for my family!

  2. Duaine Reply

    Made the broccoli for dinner and it was a hit. Will be making it again for sure.

  3. Judy Hedlin Reply

    Such a tasty way to cook broccoli! Thanks for sharing

  4. Debbie Reply

    Simple and delicious. Personally, I would use zest of half a lemon.

  5. Jennifer Reply

    I love this recipe! It is the new norm from broccoli preparation in our kitchen. It is simple, delicious and turns out right every time! The lemon zest…brilliant. Game changer!

Leave a comment »

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen? ›

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.

Is broccoli better steamed or sauteed? ›

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.

Which cooking technique gives the best results when cooking broccoli? ›

Steaming broccoli is quick and easy, and it's considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare the vegetable. Instead of submerging the florets and stem into boiling water or roasting them in the oven, the broccoli is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water and covered with a lid.

Is sauteed broccoli good for you? ›

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.

What enhances the taste of broccoli? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. 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.

Why does Chinese restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

Even adults don't enjoy eating their vegetables sometimes. The high water content in some veggies renders them a bit bland on their own, so many people would prefer to make them palatable by adding various ingredients.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

Is it okay to eat old broccoli? ›

If the stem or florets look wilted, they have lost too much moisture and should be tossed. If your broccoli doesn't pass all three of these checks, it's time to say goodbye. But if your broccoli looks, smells and feels fresh, it's still OK to cook with!

Is it OK to eat steamed broccoli everyday? ›

Regularly incorporating broccoli into your daily diet can contribute to stronger bones and potentially lower the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis. Broccoli can be a beneficial inclusion in the diet of those seeking to manage their weight.

How long should broccoli be cooked? ›

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

How many minutes do you cook broccoli for? ›

Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook the broccoli, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. You'll know the broccoli is done when it's bright green and crisp-tender. Drain the broccoli into a colander, transfer it to a plate, and season it as you like.

Why add milk to water when cooking 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.

How many times a week should you eat broccoli? ›

In general, broccoli is safe to eat, and any side effects are not serious. The most common side effect is gas or bowel irritation, caused by broccoli's high amounts of fiber. Hope this helps. Overall, one to two servings of broccoli per week is definitely something that we recommend as part of a healthy diet.

How many times a day should you eat broccoli? ›

(17) So if you eat 1 cup of broccoli per day (whether it's with a meal or snack), you're nearly halfway to the recommended daily intake of vegetables for adults.

Does broccoli lose nutrients when sauteed? ›

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.

How do Chinese restaurants get broccoli so crunchy? ›

It's best to start with as much boiling water as you can. Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

Why do restaurant vegetables taste better? ›

The simple answer to why roasted vegetables from a restaurant taste so good: lots of fat and salt and high heat. Refer to the list below and watch Ethan Chlebowski's useful instructional video for the full answer. Why are a restaurant's vegetables so much better than homemade ones?

How do restaurants keep broccoli green? ›

Since you have to cover the vegetables to steam them, the chlorophyll turns a drab, grayish color. You can prevent this by boiling the greens, in salted water. Use a large amount of water, then add salt. The recipe calls for one ounce for every four cups of water.

How do restaurants make their vegetables so good? ›

The answer to this wonder can be summed up in just 2 words: Bacon Fat. It's true. Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these.

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