When I want a quick, fresh side dish to complete a meal, I often make this steamed broccoli recipe. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, including prep and cleanup, and the results are always tasty. The broccoli comes out bright green and crisp-tender. I enjoy eating it on its own because steaming brings out its natural sweetness. However, it tastes even better with a little salt, pepper, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.
How to Steam Broccoli
Learning how to steam broccoli is incredibly easy with my simple method! Here’s how to do it:
First, prepare the broccoli. Cut off the stalk and separate the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. If you want, you can also peel the stalk, cut it into small pieces, and steam it. Otherwise, keep it for another recipe, such as making broccoli rice!
Next, cook the broccoli. Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket and set it inside a saucepan with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Steam for around 5 minutes, or until the broccoli turns bright green and becomes crisp-tender.
Add salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice according to your taste. That’s all you need!
Steamed Broccoli Serving Suggestions
I usually serve steamed broccoli as a healthy side dish. Before serving, I mix it with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice to give it a fresh, bright flavor. It also tastes great with lemon vinaigrette, vegan ranch, honey mustard dressing, or romesco sauce.
After seasoning, steamed broccoli goes well with almost any meal. You can serve it alongside a frittata, a baked potato or sweet potato, vegan meatballs, or a warm bowl of soup. I especially enjoy pairing it with pasta.
When I don’t want to serve steamed broccoli as a side dish, I add it to grain bowls or mix it with noodles. You can try it with Cashew Broccoli Soba Noodles or Macro Veggie Bowl. It would also taste great in this Buddha Bowl or this Power Bowl. Steamed broccoli is also a great way to add color and texture to this cozy Vegan Broccoli Soup.
More Vegetable Cooking Basics
If you loved learning how to steam broccoli, try other Vegetables recipes :
How to Steam Broccoli
This steamed broccoli recipe is my go-to way to cook broccoli. It takes less than 10 minutes to make, and the florets turn out sweet, crisp-tender, and beautifully green. Enjoy it as a side dish or add it to grain bowls, mac and cheese, and other favorite meals!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Serves 4
Equipment
- Steamer Basket
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- Water, for steaming
- Extra-virgin olive oil, optional, to taste
- Fresh lemon juice, optional, to taste
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the broccoli florets to a steamer basket and place it over a pot filled with 1 inch of water.
Bring the water to a simmer, cover the pot, and steam the broccoli for 5 minutes, or until tender.
Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the steamed broccoli according to your taste.